Marshalled List of Amendments 06 October 2016

Private Members’ Business
Item 5: Order Paper 20/16-21 – Monday 10 October 2016
Motion: Reclassification of Housing Associations

That this Assembly notes the likelihood that the Office for National Statistics will reclassify
Northern Ireland’s twenty-two housing associations from independent social businesses to public bodies; that this may limit their ability to access private finance to build new homes; that the £1 billion of private debt already on their books could be added to the Executive’s balance sheet, taking the Executive’s total borrowing to levels which would reduce drastically its ability to borrow money for other initiatives across the Executive Departments; and calls on the Minister for Communities to prepare to bring forward urgent legislation to reverse the reclassification of Northern Ireland housing associations so that they can remain classified as independent social businesses.

[Mr A Allen]
[Mrs J Palmer]
[Mr P Smith]

The Speaker has selected the following Amendment for debate:

Amendment 1

Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert:

‘the decision by the Office for National Statistics to reclassify Northern Ireland’s twenty-two housing associations from independent social businesses to public bodies; recognises that this will have a significant impact on housing associations and their ability to provide new social and shared ownership homes; further notes that this decision will add nearly £1 billion of housing association debt to the Northern Ireland Executive’s balance sheet, seriously impacting on the Executive’s ability to borrow money for other initiatives across the Executive Departments; and calls on the Minister for Communities and Minster of Finance to expedite the steps necessary to reverse this reclassification; and agree quickly an interim derogation arrangement with HM Treasury to enable the sector to continue to function normally, to engage closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to agree a joined-up approach, and to outline a clear and detailed timeline for specific action, including bringing forward legislation, within the timeframe that any HM Treasury derogation allows, to ensure Northern Ireland’s housing associations can remain classified as independent social businesses.’

[Mr C Eastwood]
[Ms N Mallon]
[Mr A Allen]
[Mr P Smith]

Motion: Growing Northern Ireland Exports

That this Assembly welcomes the recent Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ export data for Northern Ireland which records a growth rate of 9.5 per cent; notes the Executive’s commitment to increase the competitiveness of the economy; recognises the opportunities the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union presents to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.

[Mr G Lyons]
[Mr T Buchanan]
[Mr M Storey]
[Mr G Dunne]

The Speaker has selected the following Amendments for debate:

Amendment 1

Leave out all after ‘economy;’ and insert:

‘recognises the importance of Northern Ireland continuing to participate within the European Single Market to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.’

[Dr S Farry]
[Mrs N Long]
[Mr D Ford]
[Mr S Dickson]

Amendment 2

Leave out all after ‘economy;’ and insert:

‘recognises that the result of the referendum on membership of the European Union has significant implications for businesses; calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of an economic strategy to achieve long term, sustainable and socially balanced economic growth; and further calls on the Minister, in recognising the unique circumstances on this island, to work with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure cross border trade and freedom of movement continue uninhibited.’

[Ms C Archibald]
[Mr J O’Dowd]
[Mr C Murphy]
[Mr A Maskey]

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