Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 17 October 2011
Venue: Assembly Chamber
No. 23-11/12
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Matter of the Day
2.1 Handling of the Pat Finucane Case
The Speaker reminded Members of the standards of debate expected in the House, including courtesy, good temper and moderation of language.
Mr Gerry Kelly made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the handling of the Pat Finucane Case. Party representatives were also called to speak on the matter.
3. Executive Committee Business
3.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Proposed:
That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions dealing with information about financial resources contained in clauses 21 and 32 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 21 June 2011; and agrees that the UK Parliament should consider amendments to the Bill to provide for equivalent arrangements in relation to the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission.
Minister of Justice
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion: Development of an All-Ireland Job Creation Strategy
Proposed:
That this Assembly calls for the development of an All-Ireland job creation strategy under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council to focus on areas of high unemployment across the island.
Mr P Flanagan
Mr D McKay
Ms S Ramsey
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was negatived (Division 1).
4.2 Motion: Rural Schools
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses concern at the potential impact of the statement by the Minister of Education on 26 September 2011, particularly on the future of smaller rural schools; notes that schools are at the heart of rural communities; further notes the particular access requirements of rural communities to education; and calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that decisions on the future of rural schools are fully measured against rural standards and proofing.
Mr C McDevitt
Mr D Bradley
Mr J Byrne
The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.
4.3 Amendment 1
Proposed:
After second ‘education;’ insert:
‘believes that shared and integrated education could provide alternatives to school closures;’
Mr T Lunn
Mr C Lyttle
Ms A Lo
Mr S Dickson
4.4 Amendment 2:
Proposed:
At end insert:
‘and that there is equity of treatment between the controlled and maintained sectors.’
Mr M Storey
Miss M McIlveen
Mr J Craig
Mrs B Hale
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
5. Question Time
5.1 Regional Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy.
5.2 Social Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland.
6. Private Members’ Business
6.1 Motion: Rural Schools (Cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment fell without division.
Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
7. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 4.55pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
17 October 2011
Northern Ireland Assembly
17 October 2011
Divisions
Division No. 1
Development of an All-Ireland Job Creation Strategy - Motion
Proposed:
That this Assembly calls for the development of an All-Ireland job creation strategy under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council to focus on areas of high unemployment across the island.
Mr P Flanagan
Mr D McKay
Ms S Ramsey
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 41
Noes: 48
Ayes
Mr Agnew, Ms M Anderson, Mr Attwood, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr W Clarke, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Dr Farry, Mr Flanagan, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Ms Ritchie, Mr Sheehan.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Flanagan and Mr Lynch.
Noes
Mr Allister, Mr S Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lewis, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr McGimpsey, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Givan and Mr Moutray.
The Motion was negatived.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
12 - 17 October 2011
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
Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DFP)
Records Retention and Disposal Policy and Schedule - Paper Records in SIB (PRONI)
North Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2009/2010 (DE)
An Inspection of Prisoner Resettlement by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (DOJ)
Roads Service Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 (DRD)
The Northern Ireland Assembly Members' Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11
Youth Justice Agency Business Plan 2011-2012 (DOJ)
South Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2009-2010 (DE)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
- S.R. 2011/347 The Registration of Deeds (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DFP)
- S.R. 2011/348 Land Registry (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DFP)
- S.R. 2011/350 The Agency Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DEL)
For Information Only:
- S.R. 2011/353 The Cycle Routes (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/355 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.9) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/358 The Extinguishment of Right to Use Vehicles on Roads (Strabane) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/359 The Prohibition of Traffic (Avoniel, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Belfast Rapid Transit - Public Consultation on Route Options and Integrated Impact Assessment and Draft Equality Impact Assessment (DRD)
Social Investment Fund Consultation Document and Questionnaire (OFMDFM)
Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
District Councillors' Allowances and Multiple Mandates (DOE)
9. Departmental Publications
Discussion Paper on the Review of the Financial Process in Northern Ireland (DFP)
