Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 23 January 2012
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 Dissident terrorist activity including bomb attacks in Londonderry
Mr Gregory Campbell made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the dissident terrorist activity including bomb attacks in Londonderry. Party representatives were also called to speak on the matter.
3. Executive Committee Business
3.1 First Stage - Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 3/11-15)
The Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland, introduced a Bill to make provision relating to pensions; and for connected purposes.
Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.
4. Committee Business
4.1 Motion - Committee Membership
Proposed:
That Ms Sue Ramsey replace Ms Michaela Boyle as a member of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; that Ms Jennifer McCann replace Ms Sue Ramsey as member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; that Ms Michaela Boyle replace Mr Conor Murphy as a member of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development; and that Mr Conor Murphy replace Ms Jennifer McCann as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
Ms J McCann
Mr R McCartney
Mr P Maskey
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4.2 Motion - The Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Strangford Lough
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the environmental importance of Strangford Lough and the economic contribution it makes through employment, leisure and tourism; and calls on the Executive to introduce, as a matter of urgency, measures to protect and restore its Modiolus habitat in a way that meets the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC); and further calls on the Executive, when implementing such measures, to ensure that people who derive an income from the Lough are not economically disadvantaged.
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
Debate ensued.
The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
5. Private Members’ Business
5.1 Motion - Pupils Living in Poverty
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes that one child in four is living in poverty; calls on the Minister of Education, with support from the Executive, to target extra resources at pupils living in poverty to enable them to succeed at school; and further calls on the Minister to ensure that schools are accountable for using their funding to help children who are living in poverty to realise their full potential.
Mr D McKay
Mr P Flanagan
Ms M Boyle
The Speaker took the Chair.
5.2 Amendment
Proposed:
Leave out all after the first ‘poverty;’ and insert:
‘ further notes that early offers of family help and support can improve health and educational outcomes, reduce youth offending and increase lifetime opportunities; calls on the Minister of Education, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, with support from the Executive, to target extra resources at pupils living in poverty to enable them to succeed at school; and further calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that schools are accountable for using their funding to help children who are living in poverty to realise their full potential.’
Mr D McNarry
Mrs J Dobson
Mr R Beggs
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
6. Question Time
6.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness. Junior Minister, Ms Martina Anderson, also answered a number of questions.
6.2 Justice
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.
7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer
7.1 Neo-Natal Unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Jim Wells.
8. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
8.1 Motion - Pupils Living in Poverty (Cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
8.2 Motion - Pardon for Irish Veterans of World War II
Proposed:
That this Assembly condemns the treatment by the then Irish Government of many Irish World War II veterans, particularly the issuing of the so called 'starvation orders'; and calls on the Government of the Republic of Ireland to issue a pardon and to apologise to the veterans and their families, and to honour all those who fought against fascism in World War II.
Mr P Weir
Mr G Campbell
Mr W Humphrey
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
9. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 5.45pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
23 January 2012
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
19 - 23 January 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
Western Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011 (DE)
Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Statutory Report: Review under Section 61(4) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (DOJ)
5. Assembly Reports
Report on the Response to the Executive’s Review of the Financial Process in Northern Ireland (NIA 28/11-15) (Committee for Finance and Personnel)
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
- S.R. 2012/7 The Motor Vehicles (Taxi Drivers' Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
- S.R. 2012/8 The Local Government (Specified Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
- S.R. 2012/11 The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act (Amendment of Licensing Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DETI)
- S.R. 2012/14 The Jobseeker's Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
- Draft SR 2012/ The Dog Control Orders (Prescribed Offences and Penalties, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
For Information Only:
- S.R. 2012/13 (C.2) The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment (2011 Act) (Commencement, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Public Consultation on Accessible Transport Draft Action Plan 2012-2015 (DRD)
9. Departmental Publications
Pensions Bill - Regulatory Impact Assessment (DSD)
