Minutes of Proceedings

No. 12-11/12

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 - Outcome of British-Irish Council Summit

The First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, made a statement to the Assembly, regarding the outcome of the British-Irish Council Summit meeting, held on 20 June 2011, following which he replied to questions.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Nomination to act as Principal Deputy Speaker

The Speaker advised that the procedure for nomination of a Deputy Speaker to act as Principal Deputy Speaker would be conducted in accordance with Standing Order 5A.

Ms Jennifer McCann nominated Mr Francie Molloy to act as Principal Deputy Speaker. Mr Molloy indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, that Mr Molloy be Principal Deputy Speaker, the Nomination was approved with cross-community support (Division 1).

4. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

4.1 Legislative Consent Motion - Welfare Reform Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the provisions in clauses 122 and 123 of the Welfare Reform Bill, as amended at Committee Stage in the House of Commons, dealing with the transfer of tax credit functions and the supply of information by a Northern Ireland Department, or by a person providing services to a Northern Ireland Department, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued.

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

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Trustees of the Assembly Members' Pension Scheme

Proposed:

That the following Members are appointed as the Trustees of the Assembly Members' Pension Scheme: Mr John Dallat, Mr Ross Hussey, Mr Trevor Lunn, Mr Mickey Brady and Mr Jim Wells.

Mr P Weir
Mr B McElduff
Mr L Cree
Mr P Ramsey
Mrs J Cochrane

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

5.2 Motion - Devolution of Corporation Tax Powers

Proposed:

That this Assembly supports, in principle, the case for the devolution of corporation tax powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly; and looks forward to the outcome of the HM Treasury consultation on ‘Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy’, the provision of further information on the associated costs and benefits, and the development of more detailed proposals for implementing and exercising the powers.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel

Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

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

The sitting was suspended at 1.48pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.

6.2 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.

6.3 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Erroneous Release of Prisoner from HMP Maghaberry

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Paul Givan.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

8. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

8.1 Statement - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - Dental Inquiry and other issues

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust - Dental Inquiry and other issues, following which he replied to questions.

9. Committee Business (Cont’d)

9.1 Motion - Caesarean Section Rates

The following Motion stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to put in place measures to reduce the high rate of caesarean sections, given the risks to both mother and child, as well as the cost to the Health Service.

The Motion was not moved.

10. Adjournment

Mr Barry McElduff spoke to his topic on the Abandonment of the Jobs and Benefits Project in Strabane.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.09pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

28 June 2011

Northern Ireland Assembly

28 June 2011
Divisions

Division No. 1

Question put, That Mr Francie Molloy act as Principal Deputy Speaker.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 50
Noes: 33

Ayes

Nationalist:

Ms M Anderson, Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Flanagan, Ms Gildernew, Mr Lynch, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Mr Ó hOisín, Mrs O’Neill, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Unionist:

Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Irwin, Mrs Lewis, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Weir, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr W Clarke and Ms Ruane.

Noes

Nationalist:

Mr Attwood, Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Mrs D Kelly, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, Mrs McKevitt, Mr A Maginness, Mr P Ramsey, Ms Ritchie.

Unionist:

Mr Allister, Mr Beggs, Mr Copeland, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Elliott, Mr Gardiner, Mr Kinahan, Mr McCallister, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr Swann.

Other:

Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McCallister and Mr Swann.

Total votes 83 Total Ayes 50 [60.2 % %]

Nationalist Votes 37 Nationalist Ayes 23 [62.2 % ]

Unionist Votes 39 Unionist Ayes 27 [69.2 % ]

Other Votes 7 Other Ayes 0 [0.0 % ]

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result:

Mr S Agnew.

The Nomination was approved by cross-community vote.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
28 June 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

Northern Ireland Ombudsman Annual Report 2010/2011 (OFMDFM)

Southern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011 (DHSSPS)

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011 (DHSSPS)

Northern Ireland Policing Board Annual Report and Accounts for the period 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 (DOJ)

Rivers Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011 (DARD)

Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011 (DE)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)

• S.R. 2011/242 The Road Traffic Fixed Penalties (Enforcement of Fines) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2011/243 The Family Proceedings (Amendment No.2) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DOJ)
• S.R. 2011/244 The Divorce and Dissolution etc. (Pension Protection Fund) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DOJ)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Rating of Commercial Properties: small businesses, large retail properties and empty shops (DFP)

Consultation on Draft High Hedges Fee Legislation (DOE)

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

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 27 JUNE 2011

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage