Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Assembly Business

2.1 Committee Chairperson and deputy Chairperson Appointments

The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the nominating officer of Sinn Féin of a number of changes of Committee Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons.
Ms Michaela Boyle replaced Mr Paul Maskey as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee; Mr Daithí McKay replaced Mr Conor Murphy as Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel; Mr Seán Lynch replaced Mr Pat Doherty as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development; and Mr Phil Flanagan replaced Mr Daithí McKay as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, all with effect from Monday 2 July 2012. The Speaker confirmed the appointments.

3. Speaker’s Business

3.1 Public Petition - Save our Townlands

Mr Seán Lynch was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the use of Townland names in addresses.  

4. Assembly Business (Cont’d)

4.1 Motion - Nomination to the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Proposed:

That this Assembly nominates Mr Stewart Dickson to be a substitute member of the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe with effect from October 2012.

Mr P Weir
Ms C Ruane
Mr R Swann
Mr P Ramsey

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

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for Monday 2 July 2012.

First Minister and deputy First Minister

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.

5.2 Statement - British-Irish Council Summit Plenary meeting

The First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, made a statement regarding the British-Irish Council Summit Plenary meeting, held in Scotland on 22 June 2012, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

5.3 Statement - Youth Employment Scheme and NEETs Initiatives

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding the Youth Employment Scheme and NEETs Initiatives, following which he replied to questions.

5.4 Statement - Early Years Strategy Consultation Responses

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the Early Years Strategy Consultation Responses, following which he replied to questions.

5.5 Statement - Access to Justice Review

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding the Access to Justice Review, following which he replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 2.10pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.30pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

6. Speaker’s Business (Cont’d)

The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer that
Ms Megan Fearon had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the Newry and Armagh constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Mr Conor Murphy; that
Mr Declan McAleer had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the West Tyrone constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Mr Pat Doherty; that
Ms Rosaleen McCorley had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the West Belfast constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Mr Paul Maskey; that
Ms Bronwyn McGahan had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Ms Michelle Gildernew.   

Ms Fearon, Mr McAleer, Ms McCorley and Ms McGahan signed the Roll of Membership on 2 July 2012 in the presence of the Speaker. The Speaker confirmed that the Members had signed the Roll and had entered their designations of identity.

7. Question Time

7.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister  

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness. The junior Minister, Ms Jennifer McCann, also answered a number of questions. 

7.2 Education  

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.  

8. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Reducing the risk of flooding

The Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Stewart Dickson.

9. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

9.1 Statement - Maternity Strategy for Northern Ireland

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding the Maternity Strategy for Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

9.2 Statement - North South Ministerial Council meeting in Environment sectoral format

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Alex Attwood, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Environment sectoral format, held on 15 June 2012, following which he replied to questions.

9.3 First Stage - Charities Bill (NIA 11/11-15)

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland, introduced a Bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; to transfer certain functions of the Department for Social Development to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland; and for connected purposes.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

9.4 Further Consideration Stage - Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA 8/11-15)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No.2) Bill (NIA 8/11-15).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Budget (No.2) Bill stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. 

9.5 Motion - Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Proposed:

That the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued.

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

The Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division 1).

10. Committee Business

10.1 Motion - Archaeological Artefacts

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that there are gaps in the policy frameworks and legislation relating to the excavation of archaeological artefacts from planning-led developments, particularly in relation to the long-term curation and storage of such items; and calls on the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of the Environment to address these issues, which straddle their Departments, and to gain a greater understanding of the material that has been excavated to date.

Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment

Debate ensued.

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

11. Private Members’ Business

11.1 First Stage - Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill (NIA 12/11-15)

Mr Jim Allister introduced a Bill to amend the law on special advisers in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.33pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
2 July 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 July 2012
Division 1

Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 - Motion

Proposed:

That the Jobseeker's Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved.

Minister for Social Development

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 42

Noes: 37

Ayes

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Clarke, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Cree,
Mr Dickson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan,
Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lyttle,
Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr G Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells,
Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms P Bradley and Ms Brown.

Noes

Mr Agnew, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr Durkan, Ms Fearon,
Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr McGlone,
Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan,
Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr Rogers,
Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brady and Mr F McCann.

The Motion was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
27 June - 2 July 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

Security Industry Authority - Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 (DOJ)

Security Industry Authority - Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12 (DOJ)

The Northern Ireland Assembly Members' Pension Scheme Valuation as at 31 March 2011 (Assembly Commission)

Legislative Consent Memorandum - Charities Small Donations Bill (DSD)

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (OFMDFM)

Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation Annual Report for 2010/11 (DETI)

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for 2009/10 (DE)

Northern Ireland Policing Board Annual Report and Accounts for the period 1 April 2011 - 30 March 2012 (DOJ)

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman Annual Report 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 (DOJ)

Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence Annual Report and Accounts and Performance Review Report 2011/12 (DHSSPS)

The Health and Social Care Board Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Public Health Agency Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Northern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Southern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Western Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DFP)

Belfast Services Organisation Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)

• S.R. 2012/248 The Community Drivers' Hours Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/249 The Licensing (Requirements for Conference Centre) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/250 The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/254 Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DARD)
• S.R. 2012/255 The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DETI)
• S.R. 2012/256 The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (Exemption) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/257 The Goods Vehicles (Qualifications of Operators) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/258 The Goods Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/259 Optical Charges and Payments (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DHSSPS)
• S.R. 2012/260 The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/261 The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/268 The Criminal Legal Aid (Recovery of Defence Costs Orders) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2012/270 The Pension Protection Fund (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)

For Information Only:

• S.R. 2012/247 (C.22) The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (2010 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/251 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/252 The Traffic Weight Restriction (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/253 The Off-Street Parking (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R. 2012/262 (C.23) The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) (2010 Act) (Commencement No.2 and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

2012 Annual Report on the Concordat between the Voluntary and Community Sector and the Northern Ireland Government (DSD)

Framework 7: The European Union Programme for Research and Innovation (DETI)

8. Consultation Documents

Proposal for Mandatory Wearing of Helmets on Quadricycles (DOE)

Glen Road Development Framework and Related Equality Impact Assessment - Public Consultation Exercise (DSD)

9. Departmental Publications

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland Limited Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 (DHSSPS)

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Fifth Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2011-2015 - Use of External Consultants by Northern Ireland Departments: Follow-Up Report (DFP)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications