Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 First Stage - Education Bill (NIA 14/11-15)

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, introduced a Bill to provide for the establishment and functions of the Education and Skills Authority; to make further provision about education, educational services and youth services; and for connected purposes.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

2.2 Motion - Authority to make appointments to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission

Proposed:

That, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the Northern Ireland Act 2009, sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph is not to apply.

First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

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

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Motion - Opportunities for Businesses to Access New Markets and Finance

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the recent action taken by the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve to help stabilise the global economy, and the opportunities that this presents for Northern Ireland companies to expand and to increase exports; recognises the continuing problems of small and medium-sized enterprises accessing bank lending; further notes the availability of several significant sources of business finance; and calls on the Executive to use its influence to ensure that businesses are connected efficiently to these funding sources and that their use is maximised.

Mrs J Cochrane
Mr S Dickson
Mr C Lyttle

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 12.26pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness.

4.2 Finance and Personnel

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

5. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

5.1 Education advertisements in Irish only

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Gregory Campbell.

5.2 Job losses at JJB Sports

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Phil Flanagan.

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

6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

6.1 Motion - Opportunities for Businesses to Access New Markets and Finance (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

6.2 Motion - Levels of Absenteeism in Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Executive and for children and young people's issues; notes the high levels of pupil absenteeism in primary and post-primary schools in many communities, and in particular, the high levels in areas identified by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency as being predominant Protestant; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that an integrated approach to identifying the causes of absenteeism is adopted by all relevant Departments and appropriate action is taken, in conjunction with parents or guardians, to enable more young people to reach their full potential.

Mr R Beggs [R]
Mr M Nesbitt
Mr D Kinahan

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

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

7. Adjournment

Mr Roy Beggs spoke to his topic on Health and Social Care provision in East Antrim.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.51pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
02 October 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
02 October 2012

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Welfare Reform Bill (NIA 13/11-15)

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee Annual Report 2011-12 (DOE)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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

• S.R. 2012/366 The Construction Contracts Exclusion Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DFP)
• S.R. 2012/368 The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DOE)

9. Departmental Publications

Anti-Social Behaviour - An inspection of the criminal justice system's approach to addressing anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland (DOJ)

The Police Service of Northern Ireland: Use of Agency Staff (NIAO)

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 2 OCTOBER 2012

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage

** Please note that any bills that received Royal Assent in the previous session have been removed from the table.