Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Assembly Business

The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the nominating officer of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, that Mrs Dolores Kelly had been replaced as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. The Speaker also informed Members that Dr Alasdair McDonnell had nominated Mr Joe Byrne to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development with effect from 19 May 2012. The Speaker confirmed the appointment.

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1       Statement - UK Audit of Retained Tissue Samples 

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding the UK Audit of Retained Tissue Samples, following which he replied to questions.

4.    Assembly Business (Cont’d)

4.1       Motion - Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Thomas Buchanan replace Mr Jimmy Spratt as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; and that Mr Robin Newton replace Mr Paul Givan as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow

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

5.    Private Members’ Business

5.1       Motion - Reassessment of People in Receipt of Incapacity Benefit

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern that the reassessment process for people who are moving from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance is resulting in many people being unfairly deemed 'fit for work' and losing their benefit; and calls on the Minister for Social Development to review urgently the reassessment process to avoid both the undue distress it is causing and the additional burden it is placing on the public purse by triggering so many appeals.

Mr F McCann
Mr A Maskey
Mr M Brady

5.2       Amendment

Proposed:

After ‘Allowance’ insert:

‘, with no cognisance being taken of their medical records,’

Mr M Copeland
Mr R Swann

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

6.    Question Time

6.1       Environment  

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of the Environment, Mr Alex Attwood.

6.2       Finance and Personnel

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

7.    Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

7.1       Motion - Prison Service Archived Material

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the importance of the role played by the Prison Service in the history of Northern Ireland and pre-partition Ireland; recognises the wealth of material of historical significance owned and held by the Prison Service and the educational importance of this material; and calls on the Minister of Justice to take all the necessary steps to ensure that this collection is fully archived, that its totality is maintained and that it is as accessible as possible to the general public.

Miss M McIlveen
Mr P Weir
Mr P Givan [R]
Lord Morrow

Debate ensued.  

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

8.    Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.35pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
21 May 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
16 - 21 May 2012

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

Telling Them Why - An inspection of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland's giving of reasons for its decisions (DOJ)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Legislative Consent Motion: UK Finance Bill (Air Passenger Duty) (NIA 53/11-15) (Committee for Finance and Personnel)

6. Statutory Rules

• S.R. 2012/184 The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DEL)
• S.R. 2012/188 The Penalty Notices (Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011) (Enforcement of Fines) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2012/196 The Durham Street and Hamill Street - Killen Street, Belfast (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)

For Information Only:

• S.R. 2012/189 The Magistrates' Courts (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2012/190 The Magistrates' Courts (Declarations of Parentage) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2012/194 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/195 The Waiting Restrictions (Lisburn) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/197 The Control of Traffic (Belfast City Centre) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/198 The Bus Lanes (Belfast City Centre) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/199 The Waiting Restrictions (Belfast City Centre) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/200 The Cycle Routes (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/201 The Parking Places on Roads (Coaches) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/202 The Parking Places on Roads (Belfast City Centre) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/203 The Penalty Charges (Prescribed Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on the Provision of Performance and Other Information About Pupils and Schools (DE)

9. Departmental Publications

Northern Ireland Medical and Training Agency Annual Report 2010-2011 (DHSSPS)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications