Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Deputy Speaker (Mr Kennedy) in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Opposition Business

2.1 Motion: Public Inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the mounting public concern relating to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme and the serious allegations of incompetence, corruption and abuse; further recognises the damage caused to public confidence in these devolved democratic institutions; calls for the establishment of a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, to be chaired by a judicial figure proposed by the Lord Chief Justice; believes that the First Minister should stand aside pending publication of the final inquiry report; further believes that the terms of reference should include the development and operation of the scheme, any matter in relation to policy, financial, operation and compliance, the role and conduct of relevant persons and organisations, assess if there were breaches of any relevant code, public standards or employment contract, the response to and treatment of persons who raised concerns, if any person with a potential conflict of interest acted to their own benefit or the benefit of others, assess all RHI scheme applications and report on any actions to be taken in respect of suspected fraud, the suspension and recovery of payments and the future operation of the scheme, make such recommendations as the inquiry believes necessary including in relation to any issue of potential malfeasance in public office or of suspected criminal activity identified; believes that the inquiry should issue a final report within six months of its commencement with the provision for interim reports at least on a two-monthly basis; further calls for all inquiry reports to be published in full upon completion without requiring the agreement of any Executive Minister, the Executive, or the Secretary of State, with copies of any report lodged in the Assembly Library; calls for any case of suspected fraud identified to be referred to the PSNI; and further calls on the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy to bring forward a plan to arrest the liability to the public purse.

Ms C Hanna
Mr S Aiken
Ms N Mallon
Mr P Smith

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

2.2 Motion: Failure of the Executive

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the grave consequences for the people of Northern Ireland of the failure of the Executive to agree a budget and estimates for the financial year 2017-18, the failure of the Executive to endorse a Programme for Government and the continuing failure of the Executive to safeguard the interests of the people of Northern Ireland following the result of the EU Referendum.

Mr M Nesbitt
Mr C Eastwood
Mr R Swann
Ms C Hanna

2.3 Motion: Amendment

Proposed:

Insert after'2017-18,':

'the failure of the Executive to set a regional rate for 2017-18,'

Mrs N Long
Dr S Farry
Mr S Dickson
Ms P Bradshaw

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

3. Question Time

3.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Chris Hazzard.

3.2 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Ms Claire Sugden.

4. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

4.1 Bannview Medical Practice

The Minister of Health, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone) took the Chair.

5. Opposition Business (cont'd)

5.1 Motion: Failure of the Executive (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone) took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made (Division).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried without division.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Alex Easton spoke to his topic regarding the Removal of Loading Bays at Main Street and Bridge Street in Bangor.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.02pm.

Mr Robin Newton
The Speaker

17 January 2017

Northern Ireland Assembly

17 January 2017
Division

Motion: Failure of the Executive (Amendment)

Proposed:

Insert after '2017-18,':

'the failure of the Executive to set a regional rate for 2017-18,'

Mrs N Long
Dr S Farry
Mr S Dickson
Ms P Bradshaw

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 34
Noes: 29

AYES

Mr Agnew, Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Ms Armstrong, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Ms S Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Dr Farry, Ms Hanna, Mr Kennedy, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr E McCann, Mr McGrath, Mr McKee, Mr McNulty, Mr McPhillips, Ms Mallon, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mrs Palmer, Mr Smith, Mr Swann

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Dickson, Ms Bradshaw.

NOES

Mr Anderson, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mrs Little Pengelly, Ms Lockhart, Mr Logan, Mr Lyons, Mr McCausland, Miss McIlveen, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Lockhart, Mr Robinson.

The Amendment was made.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
17 January 2017

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

For Information Only

SR 2017/15 The County Court Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2017 (DoJ).

SR 2017/16 The Court of Judicature Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2017 (DoJ).

SR 2017/17 The Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2017 (DoJ).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

A Consultation Document: Adoption and Children (Northern Ireland) Bill (DoH).

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 17 January 2017

2016-2021 Mandate
Executive Bills      

2016-2021 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage