Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Executive Committee Business

2.1   Statement - North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Health and Food Safety sectoral format

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement regarding the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Health and Food Safety sectoral format, following which he replied to questions.

2.2   Statement - Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland and the Launch of the Associated Employer Engagement Plan

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland and the Launch of the Associated Employer Engagement Plan, following which he replied to questions.

2.3   Motion - The Draft Labour Relations Agency Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities

Proposed:

That the Draft Labour Relations Agency Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities be approved.

Minister for Employment and Learning

Debate ensued.

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

3.    Private Members’ Business

3.1   Motion - Educational Assistance for Young People

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the good work being done by Further Education Colleges as well as schools; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to establish a working group, comprising officials from the Department for Social Development, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the South Eastern Regional College and the PSNI to identify ways of improving access to further education for young people experiencing health, social and housing problems by addressing any barriers that exist in these areas.

Mr A Easton
Mr R Newton
Mr S Douglas
Mr J Craig

3.2   Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘working group,’ and insert:

‘as part of a wider delivery mechanism to support the forthcoming Executive strategy for young people not in employment, education or training, comprising officials from the Department for Social Development, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, all Further Educational Colleges and the PSNI, to identify ways of improving access to further education for young people experiencing a range of personal and social barriers.’

Mr C Lyttle
Mr T Lunn
Ms A Lo

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.29pm.

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

4.    Question Time

4.1   Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.

4.2   Regional Development

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

5.    Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

5.1   Motion - Educational Assistance for Young People (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) 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.

5.2   Motion - Fairtrade Fortnight

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges 'Fairtrade Fortnight'; notes the adoption of fairtrade procurement policies by many branches of local and central government; and calls on the Executive to review fairtrade procurement policy with a view to supporting fairtrade when and where possible.

Mr C McDevitt
Mr J Wells
Mr S Dickson
Ms J McCann
Mr R Swann

Debate ensued.

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

6.    Adjournment

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

Mr Danny Kinahan spoke to his topic on plans for Parkgate Quarry, County Antrim

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.55pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
6 March 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
6 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

5.  Assembly Reports

6.  Statutory Rules

• S.R. 2012/71 The Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Contributions) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DHSSPS)
• S.R. 2012/72 The New Firefighters' Pension Scheme (Contributions) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DHSSPS)
• S.R. 2012/95 The Foyle Area (Greenbraes Fishery Angling Permits) Regulations 2012 (DARD)

7.  Written Ministerial Statements

8.  Consultation Documents

Consultation on draft Northern Ireland Marine Position Paper (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 6 MARCH 2012

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage