Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 24 October 2011
Venue: Assembly Chamber
No. 25-11/15
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Assembly Business
2.1 Motion – Extension of Sitting
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 24 October 2011 be extended to no later than 7.30pm.
Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
3. Executive Committee Business
3.1 Statement - Prison Service Review
The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding the Prison Service Review, following which he replied to questions.
3.2 Motion - Draft Local Government (Rates Support Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Proposed:
That the draft Local Government (Rates Support Grant) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 be approved.
Minister of the Environment
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Committee Business
4.1 Motion - Appointment to the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of Europe
Proposed:
That this Assembly appoints Mr Stewart Dickson as its nominee to the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of Europe.
Mr P Weir
Ms J McCann
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4.2 Motion - Committee Membership
Proposed:
That Mr Paul Frew replace Mr David McIlveen as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; and that Mr Adrian McQuillan replace Mr Paul Frew as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
5. Private Members’ Business
5.1 Motion - Forensic Science Services
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes with concern the pressure and backlog in Forensic Science Northern Ireland; further notes the cuts to the Forensic Science Service on the UK mainland and the impact that this is having on Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Justice to provide the necessary resources to ensure that cases requiring forensics are processed efficiently.
Mr J Craig
Mr P Givan
Mr R Newton
Mr D McIlveen
5.2 Amendment
Proposed:
At end insert :
‘; and further calls on the Minister to explore the possible development of an all-island framework for forensic science, to ensure that all resources are used to the maximum benefit of the victims of crime and the criminal justice systems both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. ’
Mr C McDevitt
Mr A Maginness
Mr C Eastwood
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Speaker took the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Acting deputy First Minister, Mr John O’Dowd.
6.2 Employment and Learning
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.
7. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
7.1 Motion - Forensic Science Services (Cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Question being put, the Amendment fell without division.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
8. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)
8.1 Statement - Public Expenditure: 2011-2012 October Monitoring
The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, made a statement on the outcomes of 2011-2012 October Monitoring Round, following which he replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
9. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
9.1 Motion - Car Tax Renewal
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes with concern that people in Northern Ireland are unable to avail of all the car tax renewal methods that are available to people in Great Britain; and calls on the Minister of the Environment to bring forward proposals to address this problem.
Mr S Hamilton
Mr P Weir
Debate ensued.
The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
10. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 5.27pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
24 October 2011
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
19 - 24 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
SSA Annual Report on Decision Making and Case Accuracy - 1 January to 31 December 2010 (DSD)
Financial Auditing and Reporting - General Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland 2011 (NIAO)
Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2009-10 (DE)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
- Draft S.R 2011 The Labour Relations Agency (Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures) (Jurisdictions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DEL)
- S.R. 2011/360 The Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DHSSPS)
- S.R. 2011/364 The M1/Trunk Road T3 (Motorway Service Area) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/365 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DETI)
- S.R. 2011/368 The Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents and Partners) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DSD)
For Information Only:
- S.R. 2011/361 The Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (2011 Order) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/362 The Parking Places on Roads (Castlecaulfield) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
- S.R. 2011/366 The Control of Traffic (Armagh) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Consultation on the Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments) Regulations (DARD)
