Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

The Speaker advised the House that Mr Robin Newton would not be in a position to introduce the topic for the Adjournment debate later that day.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement – Together: Building a United Community

The First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, made a statement regarding ‘Together: Building a United Community’, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 Statement – North South Ministerial Council meeting in Environmental Sectoral Format

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Alex Attwood, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Environmental sectoral format, held on 23 April 2013, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion – Single All-Island Agreed Rate of Duty on Vehicle Fuel

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to carry out an assessment of how a single all-island agreed rate of duty on vehicle fuel could increase revenue, combat fuel fraud, and save the taxpayer money by mitigating environmental crime; and further calls on the Minister to discuss, with the Treasury, the possibility of using such savings towards a reduction in the rate of duty on vehicle fuel.

Mr D McKay
Mr M McLaughlin
Ms M Fearon

4.2 Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘how’ and insert:

‘the introduction of a universal fuel duty with a rebate system for public transportation, aviation and farm and plant vehicles could increase revenue, combat fuel fraud, and save the taxpayer money by mitigating environmental crime; and further calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to discuss with the Treasury the possibility of using such savings towards a reduction in the rate of duty on vehicle fuel.’

Mr D Bradley
Mr A Maginness

The sitting was suspended at 12.35pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.               

5. Question Time

5.1 Environment

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

 5.2 Finance and Personnel

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

6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

6.1 Motion - Single All-Island Agreed Rate of Duty on Vehicle Fuel 

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

Debate resumed on the Motion.

The Question being put, the Amendment fell.

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

6.2 Motion – Future of Rural Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Education to consider the issues associated with the future of rural schools in the context of area planning; and to work in partnership with his Executive colleagues to achieve a holistic solution for education in rural communities.

Mr M Storey
Miss M McIlveen
Mr J Craig
Mrs B Hale

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

6.3 Amendment 1

Proposed:

After ‘planning’ insert:

‘; introduce a legislative presumption against the closure of rural schools as well as an additional duty to consider the impact a closure would have on the community, similar to the protections already in place in England and Scotland’

Mr D Kinahan
Mrs J Dobson

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.

The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division

7. Adjournment

Mr Robin Newton did not speak to his topic on Post-Primary education in East Belfast.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.00pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
14 May 2013

Northern Ireland Assembly

14 May 2013
Division

Motion: Single All-Island Agreed Rate of Duty on Vehicle Fuel - Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘how’ and insert:

‘the introduction of a universal fuel duty with a rebate system for public transportation, aviation and farm and plant vehicles could increase revenue, combat fuel fraud, and save the taxpayer money by mitigating environmental crime; and further calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to discuss with the Treasury the possibility of using such savings towards a reduction in the rate of duty on vehicle fuel.’

Mr D Bradley
Mr A Maginness    

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 50

AYES

Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Fearon and Mr McKay

NOES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Ms Brown, Mr Buchanan, Mr Clarke, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCallister, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr D McIlveen and Mr McQuillan

The Amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
14 May 2013

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. 2013/128 The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DEL)

For Information Only:

S. R. 2013/131 County Court Divisions (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DOJ)

S. R. 2013/132 County Court Divisions Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DOJ)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

Department for Work and Pensions Government Response to the Fifth Report of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, Session 2012-13, into Part 1 of the draft Pensions Bill (DWP) 

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

1. First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

2. Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

3. Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

4. 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.

5. Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

6. Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

7. Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 14 May 2013

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

1. / Bill progressing by accelerated passage
2. ** Please note that any bills that received Royal Assent in the previous session have been removed from the table.