Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 21 November 2011
Venue: Assembly Chamber
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement - European Commission Disallowance of Single Farm Payments
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill, made a statement regarding the European Commission Disallowance of Single Farm Payments, following which she replied to questions.
3. Private Members’ Business
3.1 Motion - River Cleaning Strategy
Proposed:
That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of the Environment and their Executive colleagues to develop a co-ordinated strategy to improve how rivers are cleaned.
Mr S Hamilton
Lord Morrow
3.2 Amendment
Proposed:
Leave out all after ‘improve’ and insert:
‘the management of our rivers so that they are kept to the highest levels of cleanliness; and further calls on the Executive to ensure that the expertise and services of non-governmental organisations and stakeholders are part of that management arrangement.’
Mr D Kinahan
Mr R Swann
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 sitting was suspended at 2.17pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.30pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair.
4. Question Time
4.1 Agriculture and Rural Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill.
4.2 Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
5. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
5.1 Motion: Community Libraries
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses great concern about the reduction in the opening hours of small community libraries which will curtail their ability to deliver an efficient and effective service; and calls on the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to take action to ensure that the excellent service provided by these libraries is maintained.
Mrs K McKevitt
Mr D Bradley
5.2 Amendment
Proposed:
Insert after ‘Assembly’:
‘welcomes the decision by the Board of Libraries NI to initiate a review of eight of the ten rural libraries that were originally earmarked for closure;’
Mr O McMullan
Ms C Ruane
Mr C O’hOisin
The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
6. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 5.10pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
21 November 2011
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
18 - 21 November 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
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011 (DFP)
Belfast Education and Library Board Annual Report 2009-2010 (DE)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
- S.R. 2011/398 The Planning (Fees) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DOE)
For Information Only:
- S.R. 2011/399 The One-Way Traffic (Belfast) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
The Upper Age Limit for Jury Service in Northern Ireland: A Consultation (DOJ)
9. Departmental Publications
Proposals for a Pensions Bill - Completed Equality Impact Assessment (DSD)
