Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Matter of the Day
2.1 Spence Family Tragedy
Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the Spence Family tragedy. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Assembly Business
3.1 Motion - Extension of Sitting on Monday 17 September under SO 10(3A)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 17 September 2012 be extended to no later than 8.30pm.
Ms C Ruane
Mr G Kelly
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

3.2 Motion - Committee Membership
Proposed:
That Ms Michaela Boyle be appointed as a member of the Audit Committee.
Ms C Ruane
Mr R McCartney
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

4. Executive Committee Business
4.1 Statement - Job Losses at FG Wilson
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, made a statement regarding Job Losses at FG Wilson, following which she replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

4.2 Statement - DEL Response to FG Wilson Job Losses
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding his Department's Response to FG Wilson Job Losses, following which he replied to questions.

4.3 Statement - NSMC 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.
The Speaker took the Chair.

5. Question Time
5.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, the Rt Hon Peter Robinson. The junior Minister, Mr Bell, also answered a number of questions.

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

6. Executive Committee Business (Cont'd)
6.1 Statement - NSMC Meeting in Health and Food Safety Sectoral Format (Cont'd)
Questions resumed on the statement.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.
6.2 Second Stage - Business Improvement Districts Bill (NIA 9/11-15)
The Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland, moved the Second Stage of the Business Improvement Districts Bill (NIA 9/11-15).
Debate ensued.
The Business Improvement Districts Bill passed Second Stage.

7. Committee Business
7.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill (NIA 7/11-15)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 26 October 2012, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill (NIA 7/11-15).
Chairperson, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

8. Private Members' Business
8.1 Motion - Short Stay Visa Waiver Scheme
Proposed:
That this Assembly welcomes the success of the Dublin Government's Short-Stay Visa Waiver Scheme allowing visitors here, from 16 emerging tourism markets, to travel around the rest of the island without the need for an additional visa application; recognises the potential that a reciprocal approach would have in opening up our tourism industry to new markets; notes, with concern, the British Government's position of preventing the introduction of a similar scheme; and calls for the introduction of a single visa scheme for visitors to the island of Ireland.
Mr P Flanagan
Ms S Ramsey
Ms M McLaughlin
Mr D McKay
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was negatived (Division 1).
The Speaker took the Chair.

8.2 Motion - Apology from the Republic of Ireland
Proposed:
That this Assembly welcomes the improved relations with the Republic of Ireland; further welcomes the success of the visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Republic of Ireland in 2011; notes with concern the recent evidence given to the Smithwick Tribunal regarding a lack of support for the investigation of terrorist suspects; believes that relations would improve further if the current Government of the Republic of Ireland were to address the role played by the Irish Government of the day in the emergence of the Provisional IRA and the roles of past Governments regarding the pursuit of terrorists; and calls on the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland to issue an apology.
Mr G Campbell
Mr S Anderson
Mr S Moutray
Mr M Storey

8.3 Amendment No. 1
Proposed:
After '2011;' insert:
'notes the apologies from the United Kingdom Government in relation to the Bloody Sunday and Claudy bombing events; further'
Mr T Elliott
Mr M Nesbitt
Mr D Kennedy

8.4 Amendment No. 2
Proposed:
At end insert:
'; and reiterates its call for the Secretary of State alongside her counterparts in the Irish Government to convene talks between all the political parties to reach agreement on a process to comprehensively deal with the past.'
Mr S Dickson
Mr C Lyttle
Mrs J Cochrane
Debate ensued.
Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment was made (Division 2).
Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment fell without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried (Division 3).

9. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 8.19pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
17 September 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly
17 September 2012
Division 1

Short Stay Visa Waiver Scheme - Motion
Proposed:
That this Assembly welcomes the success of the Dublin Government's Short-Stay Visa Waiver Scheme allowing visitors here, from 16 emerging tourism markets, to travel around the rest of the island without the need for an additional visa application; recognises the potential that a reciprocal approach would have in opening up our tourism industry to new markets; notes, with concern, the British Government's position of preventing the introduction of a similar scheme; and calls for the introduction of a single visa scheme for visitors to the island of Ireland.
Mr P Flanagan
Ms S Ramsey
Ms M McLaughlin
Mr D McKay

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 41
Noes: 46

Ayes
Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dallat, Mr Dickson, Mr Durkan,
Mr Eastwood, Dr Farry, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley,
Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay,
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr Maskey, 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 Mr McKay.

Noes
Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr Clarke,
Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin,
Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson,
Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Frew and Mr Irwin.
The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result: Mr Agnew.
The Motion was negatived.

Northern Ireland Assembly
17 September 2012
Division No. 2

Apology from the Republic of Ireland - Amendment 1
Proposed:

After '2011;' insert:
'notes the apologies from the United Kingdom Government in relation to the Bloody Sunday and Claudy bombing events; further'
Mr T Elliott
Mr M Nesbitt
Mr D Kennedy
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 56
Noes: 39

Ayes
Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan,
Mr Campbell, Mr Clarke, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson,
Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan,
Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy,
Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen,
Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend,
Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Elliott and Mr Kinahan.

Noes
Mr Attwood, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood,
Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann,
Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan,
Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maginness,
Mr Maskey, Mr Molloy, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr Rogers, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr McCartney and Mr Molloy.
The Amendment was made.

Northern Ireland Assembly
17 September 2012
Division No. 3

Apology from the Republic of Ireland - Motion as Amended
Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the improved relations with the Republic of Ireland; further welcomes the success of the visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Republic of Ireland in 2011; notes the apologies from the United Kingdom Government in relation to the Bloody Sunday and Claudy bombing events; further notes with concern the recent evidence given to the Smithwick tribunal regarding a lack of support for the investigation of terrorist suspects; believes that relations would improve further if the current Government of the Republic of Ireland were to address the role played by the Irish Government of the day in the emergence of the Provisional IRA and the roles of past Governments regarding the pursuit of terrorists; and calls on the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland to issue an apology.
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 47
Noes: 46

Ayes
Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell,
Mr Clarke, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch,
Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen,
Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend,
Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Moutray and Mr Storey.

Noes
Mr Agnew, Mr Attwood, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dallat,
Mr Dickson, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Dr Farry, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly,
Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy,
Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr McDevitt, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr McGlone,
Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr A Maginness, Mr Maskey,
Mr Molloy, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr Rogers, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr McCartney and Mr Molloy.
The Motion, as amended was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 12 - 17 September 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
Loughs Agency Annual Report & Accounts 2010 (DARD)
Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011 (DOJ)
Development of Services for People with a Learning Disability or Mental Illness in Northern Ireland - Twentieth Annual Report (DHSSPS)

5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)
For Information Only:
7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents
Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Gas (Applications for Licences and Extensions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (DETI)
Priorities for Youth - Improving young people's lives through youth work (DE)

9. Departmental Publications
10. Agency Publications
11. Westminster Publications
12. Miscellaneous Publications