Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Matter of the Day

2.1 The Attempted Murder of a Police Officer in East Belfast

Mr David Ford, made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the attempted murder of a police officer in East Belfast. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement - Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 Statement - Salmon Conservation

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, made a statement regarding Salmon Conservation, following which she replied to questions.

3.3 Statement - Planning Approval for Narrow Water Bridge

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Alex Attwood, made a statement regarding Planning Approval for Narrow Water Bridge, following which he replied to questions.

3.4 Final Stage - Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill (NIA 7/11-15)

The junior Minister, Mr Jonathan Bell, moved that the Final Stage of the Inquiry into Historical Abuse Bill (NIA 7/11-15) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill (NIA 7/11-15) Bill passed Final Stage without division.

3.5 Final Stage - Charities Bill (NIA 11/11-15)

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland, moved that the Final Stage of the Charities Bill (NIA 11/11-15) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Charities Bill (NIA 11/11-15) Bill passed Final Stage without division.

The sitting was suspended at 1.05pm.

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

4. Speaker’s Business

4.1 Royal Assent

The Principal Deputy Speaker advised Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 11 December 2012 to the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Act (Northern Ireland) 2012.

5. Question Time

5.1 Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster.

5.2 Environment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of the Environment, Mr Alex Attwood.

6. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

6.1 Motion - The draft General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012

Proposed:

That the draft General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

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

6.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the provisions in the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No 2) Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 20 June 2012, dealing with company directors, should be considered by the United Kingdom Parliament.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion - Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the fact that local banks may have mis-sold Interest Rate Swap Agreements to local small and medium sized businesses; further notes the campaign by Bully Bank.co.uk to highlight this issue and support businesses that have been directly affected; calls on banks to adequately compensate local businesses that have suffered; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to engage with the banks to ensure that customers who have been affected by this are treated fairly.

Mr D McKay
Ms M Fearon
Mr M McLaughlin

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

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

8. Adjournment

Mr Daithí McKay spoke to his topic on the Suicide Rate in Moyle District.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.44pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
11 December 2012

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
11 December 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

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

For Information Only:

7.    Written Ministerial Statements

8.    Consultation Documents

9.    Departmental Publications

10.  Agency Publications

Census 2011 Key Statistics for Northern Ireland December 2012 (DFP)

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 11 DECEMBER 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.