The Assembly has been recalled and will meet on Thursday 8 August to discuss the violent riots and disorder in Belfast over the past few days.
A recall petition from the Alliance Party was supported by Sinn Féin, the SDLP, UUP and independent unionist Claire Sugden.
Speaker Edwin Poots notified Assembly Members on Monday that the Assembly will sit at noon on Thursday.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly spoke to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher yesterday and issued a joint statement.
“While people are entitled to take part in peaceful protest there is no justification for racism or for the violence and intimidation that occurred on our streets on Saturday.
“Today we have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered him our full support and we pledged to work to deliver a shared, peaceful and inclusive society.
“There must be a zero tolerance approach to racism and wanton destruction. Nobody should have to live in fear or threat of violence.
“Again, we would appeal to anyone with information to contact the PSNI.”
– FM Michelle O’Neill and dFM Emma Little-Pengelly
The motion to be discussed at Stormont “condemns the criminal damage and targeting of businesses at the weekend; rejects all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism”.
“Endorses the work of voluntary sector organisations combatting racism and supporting those impacted by it; recognises that Police Service of Northern Ireland resources are stretched and could have been much more effectively deployed elsewhere.”
It also calls on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to finalise the draft Refugee Integration Strategy and the associated Thematic Delivery Plan by the end of 2024.
The Assembly has been in recess since Saturday 6 July and is not due to return until September, with the first plenary sitting on Monday 9 September.
Image: Kevin Scott
