Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1  Motion - Accelerated Passage - Rates (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 2/11-15)

Proposed:

That the Rates (Amendment) Bill proceed under the Accelerated Passage procedure.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support.

2.2  Second Stage - Rates (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 2/11-15)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, moved the Second Stage of the Rates (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 2/11-15).  

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 12.45pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.01pm, with the Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the Chair.  

3.  Question Time

3.1  Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy.

3.2  Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland.  

4.  Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

4.1  Statement - Update on Pseudomonas in the Neo-Natal Unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding Pseudomonas in the Neo-Natal Unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast following which he replied to questions.

4.2  Second Stage - Rates (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 2/11-15) (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

Bill (NIA 2/11-15) passed Second Stage with cross community support. Nemine contradicente.

5.  Committee Business

5.1  Motion - Amend Standing Orders

Proposed:

After Standing Order 42 insert –

'42A. Legislative Consent Motions

(1)   A legislative consent motion is a motion which seeks the agreement of the Assembly to the United Kingdom Parliament considering provisions of a Bill which deal with a devolution matter.

(2)   A legislative consent memorandum shall be laid in respect of any devolution matter for which a legislative consent motion is proposed. 

(3)   A legislative consent memorandum may include the Bill and any explanatory notes attached to the Bill and shall include -

(a)   a draft of the legislative consent motion;

(b)   sufficient information to enable debate on the legislative consent motion;

(c)   a note of those provisions of the Bill which deal with a devolution matter; and

(d)   an explanation of –

(i)    why those provisions should be made; and

(ii)   why they should be made in the Bill rather than by Act of the Assembly.

(4)   The Minister whom the devolution matter concerns shall, normally not later than 10 working days after the relevant day, either -

(a)   lay a legislative consent memorandum before the Assembly; or

(b)   lay a memorandum before the Assembly explaining why a legislative consent motion is not sought.

(5)   A member of the Assembly other than the Minister whom the devolution matter concerns may lay a legislative consent memorandum but shall not do so until.

(a)   the Minister has laid a legislative consent memorandum under paragraph (4)(a);

(b)   the Minister has laid a memorandum under paragraph (4)(b); or 

(c)   the 10 working days provided for in paragraph (4) have expired.

(6)   Upon a legislative consent memorandum being laid before the Assembly, those provisions of the Bill dealing with a devolution matter shall stand referred to the appropriate statutory committee unless the Assembly shall order otherwise.

(7)   The committee may, within 15 working days from the date of referral, consider those provisions of the Bill which deal with a devolution matter and report its opinion thereon to the Assembly.

(8)   A legislative consent motion shall not normally be moved until at least -

(a)   5 working days after publication of the committee report; or

(b)   20 working days after the date of referral to the committee.

(9)   A subsequent legislative consent motion may be moved if appropriate, having regard to the nature of any amendment dealing with a devolution matter made, or proposed to be made, to the Bill.   Paragraphs (4) to (8) shall not apply to that motion.

(10) In this order a “devolution matter” means -

(a)   a transferred matter, other than a transferred matter which is ancillary to other provisions (whether in the Bill or previously enacted) dealing with excepted or reserved matters;

(b)   a change to -

(i)    the legislative competence of the Assembly;

(ii)   the executive functions of any Minister;

(iii)  the functions of any department.

(11) In this order the “relevant day” means -

(a)   in respect of a Bill other than a Private Member’s Bill -

(i)    the day the Bill is introduced in the United Kingdom Parliament; or

(ii)   the day the Bill  completes the stage in the United Kingdom Parliament during which an amendment is made to the Bill which makes it a Bill to which this order applies;

(b)   in respect of a Bill which is a Private Member’s Bill -

(i)    the day the Bill completes the first stage at which it may be amended in the House of the United Kingdom Parliament in which it was introduced; or, if later,

(ii)   the day the Bill completes the stage in the United Kingdom Parliament during which an amendment is made to the Bill which makes it a Bill to which this order applies.

(12)  This order does not apply in respect of Bills which are consolidation Bills or Statute Law Revision Bills.'

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support. Nemine contradicente. 

6.  Adjournment

Mr Simon Hamilton spoke to his topic on the A24: Ballynahinch Bypass.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.38pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
24 January 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
24 January 2012

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 3/11-15)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

For Information Only:

S.R. 2012/9 (C.1) Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) (2011 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD).

7.  Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publication

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate on 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 at 24 January 2012

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage