Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement - Public Procurement

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, made a statement regarding Public Procurement, following which he replied to questions.

2.2 Motion - Suspend Standing Orders
Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 8 October 2012.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

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

2.3 First Stage - Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill (NIA 15/11-15)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, introduced a Bill to set the rate of air passenger duty for the purposes of section 30A(3) to (5A) of the Finance Act 1994.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

2.4 Motion - Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2011-2021
Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2011-2021.

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

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

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

3. Question Time

3.1 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.

3.2 Justice  

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

4. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

4.1 Motion - Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2011-2021 (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Business Improvement Districts Bill (NIA 9/11-15)
Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 December 2012, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Business Improvement Districts Bill (NIA Bill 9/11-15).

Chairperson, Committee for Social Development

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

5.2 Motion - Crisis in Farming
Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the current crisis in farming caused by the failure of the food supply chain to react to rising production costs and feed prices in particular; further notes the lack of transparency within the food supply chain and the existence of a very significant differential between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland producer prices; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to acknowledge the crisis and to bring forward initiatives to alleviate the short-term financial pressures on farmers.

Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

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

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion - Foodbanks
Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the growth in the number of foodbanks established by churches, charities and other community organisations; welcomes the positive response by these sectors to the needs of people and families suffering from the ill effects of the economic downturn; and calls on the Minister for Social Development to ensure that his Department continues to support and promote the work of foodbanks.

Mr S Hamilton
Mr S Douglas

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

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

6.2 Motion - Path to Economic Recovery
Proposed:

That this Assembly notes, with concern, the continuing pursuance of austerity measures by the British and Irish Governments, and the subsequent detrimental effects on our local economy; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to impress, on both Governments, the need to follow a path to economic recovery that is based on job creation, progressive taxation, the protection of the most vulnerable, and the provision of first class front-line public services.

Mr P Flanagan
Mr D McKay

6.3 Amendment No.1
Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert:

‘that the UK Government, as well as those in the Republic of Ireland and many other European countries, continue to pursue policies of austerity; expresses its concern about the detrimental effect this is having on the Northern Ireland economy; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to urge HM Government to reassess its deficit reduction strategy in light of recent evidence and seek to stimulate economic growth by measures such as a short term increase in capital spending and targeted VAT reductions.’

Mr S Hamilton
Mr P Weir
Mr A Ross

6.4 Amendment No.2

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘economy’ and insert:

‘, including contributing to rising local unemployment levels; calls on the Executive to address these effects by launching a robust job creation and business support strategy; and further calls on the Executive to establish a commission in the style of the Commission on Scottish Devolution to present the British Government with an evidence based argument on how further devolved powers would provide the Executive with additional tools to encourage job creation, progressive taxation, protection of the most vulnerable, and the provision of first class front-line public services.

Mr P McGlone
Mr C Eastwood
Mr A Maginness

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, Amendment No.1 fell (Division 1).

The Question being put, Amendment No.2 fell (Division 2).

The Question being put, the Motion was negatived (Division 3).

7.  Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.48pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
08 October 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

08 October 2012
Division 1

Path to Economic Recovery - Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert:

‘that the UK Government, as well as those in the Republic of Ireland and many other European countries, continue to pursue policies of austerity; expresses its concern about the detrimental effect this is having on the Northern Ireland economy; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to urge HM Government to reassess its deficit reduction strategy in light of recent evidence and seek to stimulate economic growth by measures such as a short term increase in capital spending and targeted VAT reductions.’

Mr S Hamilton
Mr P Weir
Mr A Ross

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 38

Noes: 51

Ayes

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan, Mr Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Dr Farry, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, 
Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Ms Lo, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCausland, 
Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, 
Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr G Robinson and Mr Spratt.

Noes

Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr Copeland, Mr Dallat, Mrs Dobson, 
Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mr Hussey, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCallister, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, 
Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, 
Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maginness, Mr Maskey, Mr Molloy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, 
Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr Rogers, 
Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Flanagan and Ms Maeve McLaughlin.

The amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

08 October 2012
Division 2

Path to Economic Recovery - Amendment 2

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘economy’ and insert:

‘, including contributing to rising local unemployment levels; calls on the Executive to address these effects by launching a robust job creation and business support strategy; and further calls on the Executive to establish a commission in the style of the Commission on Scottish Devolution to present the British Government with an evidence based argument on how further devolved powers would provide the Executive with additional tools to encourage job creation, progressive taxation, protection of the most vulnerable, and the provision of first class front-line public services.

Mr P McGlone
Mr C Eastwood
Mr A Maginness

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 11

Noes: 78

Ayes

Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mrs D Kelly, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, 
Mrs McKevitt, Mr A Maginness, Mr P Ramsey, Mr Rogers.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr D Bradley and Mr Durkan.

Noes

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Ms P Bradley, Mr Brady, Ms Brown,
Mr Buchanan, Mr Clarke, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, 
Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hazzard, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr G Kelly, 
Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr McCallister, Mr F McCann, 
Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr McCausland, Ms McCorley, Mr B McCrea, 
Mr I McCrea, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr M McGuinness, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McKay, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr McQuillan, 
Mr Maskey, Mr Molloy, Lord Morrow, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, 
Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Ms S Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, 
Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Flanagan and Ms Maeve McLaughlin.

The amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

08 October 2012
Division 3

Path to Economic Recovery - Motion

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes, with concern, the continuing pursuance of austerity measures by the British and Irish Governments, and the subsequent detrimental effects on our local economy; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to impress, on both governments, the need to follow a path to economic recovery that is based on job creation, progressive taxation, the protection of the most vulnerable, and the provision of first class front-line public services.

Mr P Flanagan
Mr D McKay

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 43

Noes: 46

Ayes

Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Dr Farry, 
Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, 
Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Dr McDonnell, 
Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, 
Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maginness, Mr Maskey, 
Mr Molloy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, 
Mr Rogers, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Flanagan and Ms Maeve McLaughlin.

Noes

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan, Mr Clarke, 
Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mr Frew, 
Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, 
Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, 
Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, 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, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr G Robinson and Mr Spratt.

The Motion was negatived.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
03 - 08 October 2012

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Education Bill (NIA Bill 14/11-15)

3.    Orders in Council

4.    Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2011-2012 (DOJ)

Schedule for the Retention and Disposal of Public Records for Coleraine Borough Council (DCAL/PRONI)

Charitable Donations and Bequests Annual Report to 31 March 2012 (DSD)

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2012 (Amended Version) (DHSSPS)

Cookstown District Council Disposal and Retention Schedule (DCAL/PRONI)

5.    Assembly Reports

6.    Statutory Rules

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

• S.R. 2012/369 The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• S.R 2012/374 The Child Support (Great Britain Reciprocal Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)
• Draft S.R. 2012  Draft Local Government (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DOE)

For Information Only:

• S.R 2012/338 (C.32) The Safeguarding Board (2011 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DHSSPS)
• S.R 2012/367 (C.34) The Construction Contracts (2011 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DFP)
• S.R 2012/370 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R 2012/371 The Loading Bays and Parking Places on Roads (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DRD)
• S.R 2012/372 (C.35) The Pensions (2008 No.2 Act) (Commencement No.10 and Supplementary Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 (DSD)

7.    Written Ministerial Statements

8.    Consultation Documents

9.    Departmental Publications

Consultation on DARD's Proposals for Managing SFP/LFACA Dual Use Claims (DARD)

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2012 (DHSSPS)

Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2011 (DOE)

Southern Health and Social Care Trust Annual Report 2011-2012 (DHSSPS)

10.  Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

12.  Miscellaneous Publications