Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Public Petition

2.1 Public Petition – End the Veto on Marriage Equality

Mr Gerry Carroll was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition calling to End the Veto on Marriage Equality.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement – North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways Sector

The Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Chris Hazzard, made a statement regarding the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways Sector, which was held in Armagh on Friday 24 June 2016, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 Statement – North South Ministerial Council in Language Body Sectoral Format

The Minister for Communities, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Language Body Sectoral format, which was held in Armagh on Friday 24 June 2016, following which he replied to questions.

4. Private Members' Business

4.1 Motion – Japanese Knotweed

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to bring forward proposals for a regional programme to eradicate Japanese Knotweed.

Mrs P Cameron
Lord Morrow
Mr G Middleton
Mr W Irwin

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Ms Ruane) took the Chair.

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

4.2 Motion – Roads Maintenance Budget Deficit

Proposed:

That this Assembly is concerned that the road structural maintenance budget deficit is currently estimated to be £1 billion; notes the importance of road maintenance in terms of road safety, especially in rural areas; further notes that it is estimated that over £137m per annum is needed to adequately maintain, in its current state, the structural integrity of Northern Ireland's road network; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to include a ring-fenced allocation to his Department's baseline budget for road maintenance repair that will facilitate a more strategic and, consequently, efficient approach to road maintenance. 

Mr G Mullan
Mr R McPhillips
Mr D McCrossan
Mr P McGlone

4.3 Motion – Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'Infrastructure' and insert:

"to develop and publish a costed strategic plan for road maintenance and repair that will be included as part of the Department for Infrastructure's ongoing work programme from 2017-18 until the end of the mandate."

Ms K Armstrong
Mr S Dickson

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Kennedy) in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Justice

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

5.2 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Miss Michelle McIlveen.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Ms Ruane) took the Chair.

6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

6.1 Motion – Roads Maintenance Budget Deficit (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McGlone) in the Chair.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Mervyn Storey spoke to his topic regarding the Future of Health Service in North Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.11pm.

Mr Robin Newton
The Speaker

20 September 2016

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
20 September 2016

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

SR 2016/336 The Civil Legal Services (Remuneration) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoJ).

SR 2016/337 The Civil Legal Services (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoJ).

SR 2016/338 The Civil Legal Services (Financial) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoJ).

SR 2016/339 The Superannuation (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoF).

SR 2016/340 The Public Service Pensions (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoF).

For Information Only

SR 2016/315 The Hybrid Schemes Quality Requirements (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfC).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

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 20 September 2016

2016-2021 Mandate
Executive Bills     

2016-2021 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills           

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage