Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Speaker’s Business

2.1   Public Petition - Proposed Closure of Woodlands Speech and Language Centre

Mr Pat Ramsey was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the proposed closure of Woodlands Speech and Language Centre.

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1   Statement - British-Irish Council meeting on Social Inclusion

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland, made a statement on the British-Irish Council meeting on Social Inclusion, held in Cardiff on 7 March 2012, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

3.2   Motion - The Draft Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Proposed:

That the draft Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

3.3   Motion - The Draft Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Proposed:

That the draft Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

4.    Committee Business

4.1   Motion - Provision of IVF Treatment

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to fund three full cycles of IVF treatment, including the subsequent transfer of any viable frozen embryos, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); and further calls on the Minister to undertake a review of fertility services based on the updated NICE guideline on the assessment and treatment of people with fertility problems which is due to be published in July 2012.

Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

4.2   Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Marine Bill (NIA Bill 5/11-15)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33 (4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33 (2) be extended to 6 July 2012, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Marine Bill (NIA Bill 5/11-15).

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

The sitting was suspended at 12.23pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm with the Speaker in the Chair.

5.    Question Time

5.1   Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill.

5.2   Employment and Learning

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

5.3   Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster.

5.4   Finance and Personnel

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

6.    Assembly Business

6.1   Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 20 March 2012 to the Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2012.

7.    Adjournment

Mr Gordon Dunne spoke to his topic on Regeneration of Bangor Town Centre.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.45pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
20 March 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
20 March 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

Regional Development Strategy (DRD)

5.    Assembly Reports

Report on the Use of External Consultants by Northern Ireland Departments: Follow-up Report (NIA 43/11-15) (Public Accounts Committee)

6.    Statutory Rules

• S.R. 2012/109 The Social Security (Credits) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/110 The Pensions (2005 Order) (Disclosure of Restricted Information by the Pensions Regulator) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/112 The Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/113 The Pensions (Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and Consultation by Employers) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/116 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/117 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/118 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Dependency) (Permitted Earnings Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/120 The Pensions (2008 Act) (Abolition of Contracting-out for Defined Contribution Pension Schemes) (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/121 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/122 The Valuation Tribunal (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2012/124 The Pensions (2008 No.2 Act) (Abolition of Protected Rights) (Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/125 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Contracting-out and Modification of Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R. 2012/126 The Teachers' Superannuation (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DE)
• S.R. 2012/130 The Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DHSSPS)
• S.R. 2012/132 The Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DARD)

For Information Only:

• S.R. 2012/105 The High Hedges (Fee Transfer) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)
• S.R. 2012/131 (C.13) The Dogs (Amendment) (2011 Act) (Commencement No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DARD)

7.   Written Ministerial Statements

Publication of the Regional Development Strategy 2035 (DRD)

De-Agentisation of Roads Service (DRD)

8.    Consultation Documents

9.    Departmental Publications

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Third Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2011-2015 - Creating Effective Partnerships between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (DFP)

Continuous Improvement Arrangements in the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIAO)

10. Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012

Welfare Reform Act 2012

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012

Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2012

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 20 MARCH 2012

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage