Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 11 October 2011
Venue: Assembly Chamber
No. 22-11/12
The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement - North South Ministerial Council meeting in Institutional Format
The acting deputy First Minister, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Institutional format, held on 3 October 2011, following which he replied to questions.
3. Private Members’ Business
3.1 Motion - Review of Home to School Transport Policy
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the importance of an effective home to school transport policy; believes that the current policy is out-dated; and calls on the Minister of Education to initiate an overarching review of the policy to ensure that home to school transport is provided in the most cost effective, efficient and safe manner.
Mr D McNarry
Mrs J Dobson
Mr R Hussey
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
3.2 Amendment
Proposed:
Leave out all after ‘Education’ and insert:
‘to work with the Minister for Regional Development to create an holistic and sustainable school transport policy which will ensure that school transport is provided in the most cost effective, efficient and safe manner.’
Mr S Agnew
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 12.18pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair.
4. Question Time
4.1 Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots.
4.2 Justice
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.
5. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
5.1 Motion - United Assembly Against Terrorism
Proposed:
That this Assembly stands united against continued dissident republican attacks on the PSNI; condemns any attempts on the lives of officers; and fully supports the Chief Constable and the PSNI officers in dealing with this growing threat.
Mr I McCrea
Mr J Craig
Mr R Newton
5.2 Amendment
Proposed:
Leave out all after ‘continued’ and insert:
‘attacks on the PSNI and the wider community; condemns any attempts on the lives of officers; and fully supports the Chief Constable and the PSNI officers in dealing with this threat in a way that gives primacy to community policing, is human rights compliant and engenders greater confidence throughout the whole community.’
Mr G Kelly
Mr P Sheehan
Ms C Ruane
Debate ensued.
The Speaker 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.
6. Adjournment
Mr Chris Lyttle spoke to his topic on illegally displayed flags and emblems in East Belfast.
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 5.08pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
11 October 2011
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
11 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
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
For Information Only:
- S.R. 2011/354 The Prohibition of Traffic (Thorndale Avenue, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Consultation on Proposed Changes to GCSEs (DE)
