Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Public Petition - Impact on local residents of the reduction in funding for community pharmacies

Mr Kieran McCarthy was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the impact on local residents of the reduction in funding for community pharmacies.

2.2  Public Petition - Reduction in opening hours of the Bronte Library in Rathfriland

Mr John McCallister was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the reduction in opening hours of the Bronte Library in Rathfriland.

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Motion - Retention and Release of Information from Police Officers (vote on the motion without debate)

The motion was debated on 28 November 2011. A valid Petition of Concern was presented under Standing Order 28 on 28 November 2011 in relation to the motion. The vote on the motion was taken on 29 November 2011.

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Justice to introduce effective measures to ensure that information and evidence provided by former or serving police officers is retained and released to any independent investigation into allegations of police wrongdoing.

Mr P Sheehan
Mr G Kelly
Mr R McCartney
Ms J McCann

The Question being put, the Motion was negatived on a cross-community basis (Division 1).

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement - North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting, held on 18 November 2011, following which he replied to questions.

4.2 Statement - British Irish Council meeting on Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, made a statement regarding the British Irish Council meeting on Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages, held in Gweedore, Co. Donegall, on 11 November 2011, following which she replied to questions. 

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Report on the Review of the Initial Ministerial Provision in relation to the Department of Justice and the arrangements from 1 May 2012

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Report of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (NIA 18/11-15) on its Review of the Initial Ministerial Provision in relation to the Department of Justice and the arrangements from 1 May 2012.

Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.25pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Finance and Personnel

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

6.2  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.

7.  Committee Business (Cont’d)

7.1  Motion - Report on the Review of the Initial Ministerial Provision in relation to the Department of Justice and the arrangements from 1 May 2012 (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion - Sentencing for Crimes Against Older and Vulnerable People

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that older and vulnerable people are deserving of respect and safety in their homes; and calls on the Minister of Justice to introduce legislation to impose mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who are found guilty of violent crimes against older or vulnerable people.

Mr P Givan
Mr P Weir
Mr S Anderson
Mr J Wells

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division 2).

9.    Adjournment

Mr Paul Maskey spoke to his topic on lack of funding for the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Employment Services Board.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.37pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

29 November 2011

Northern Ireland Assembly

29 November 2011
Divisions

Division No. 1

Retention and Release of Information from Police Officers - Motion

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Justice to introduce effective measures to ensure that information and evidence provided by former or serving police officers is retained and released to any independent investigation into allegations of police wrongdoing.

Mr P Sheehan
Mr G Kelly
Mr R McCartney
Ms J McCann

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 34
Noes: 58

Ayes

Nationalist

Ms M Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Ms Gildernew, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr F McCann,
Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mr M McGuinness,
Mrs McKevitt, Mr McLaughlin, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr Molloy,
Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Mr Sheehan.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Lynch and Mr McCartney.

Noes

Unionist

Mr Allister, Mr S Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell,
Mr T Clarke, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch,
Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lewis, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan,
Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson,
Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Other

Mr Agnew, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr I McCrea and Mr McQuillan.

Total votes                               92                           Total Ayes                            34                           [37.0%]

Nationalist Votes                    34                           Nationalist Ayes 34                           [100.0%]

Unionist Votes                         50                           Unionist Ayes                       0                              [0.0%]

Other Votes                             8                              Other Ayes                           0                              [0.0%]

The Motion was negatived (cross-community vote).