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 Murders and Security Alerts

Mr Tom Elliott made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the recent murders and security alerts. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement – Public Consultation on the Future Delivery of Consumer Representation in Northern Ireland

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, made a statement regarding the Public Consultation on the Future Delivery of Consumer Representation in Northern Ireland, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

3.2 Legislative Consent Motion – Intellectual Property Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the provisions in clause 13 of the Intellectual Property Bill, as introduced in the House of Lords on 9 May 2013, dealing with the offence of unauthorised copying etc, of design in the course of business, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

3.3 Motion – Draft Pharmacy (1976 Order) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013

Proposed:

That the draft Pharmacy (1976 Order) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 be approved

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Minister not being in place, the Motion was deemed to have fallen.

The sitting was, by leave, suspended at 1.06pm.

The sitting resumed at 1.09pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Local Government Bill (NIA Bill 28/11-15)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 20 February 2014, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Extension of the Local Government Bill (NIA Bill 28/11-15).

Chairperson, Committee for the Environment

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

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion – Public Consultation

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that public consultation is an important component of Government policy formulation and decision making; recognises that it can strengthen links between Government and the public and, particularly, the community and voluntary sector; expresses concern at the disparity in costs associated with consultation across Government Departments; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to define best practice.

Mr M Nesbitt
Mr D Kinahan

Debate ensued.

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

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 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.

6.2 Environment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of the Environment, Mr Mark H Durkan.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Blood Donations: Judicial Review

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Edwin Poots, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Kieran McCarthy.

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

8. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

8.1 Motion – Bowel Cancer

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of early diagnosis of bowel cancer in saving lives; commends the success of the existing screening programme; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to consider extending the age range that can access screening to incorporate a larger proportion of the population.

Mr J Spratt
Mr J Wells
Mr G Dunne
Ms P Brown

Debate ensued.

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

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.10pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
14 October 2013

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
9 - 14 October 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

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2013 (OFMDFM)

Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service - Trust Statement 2011/12 (DOJ)

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2012 – 2013 (OFMDFM)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Legislative Consent Motion to modernise existing legislation to safeguard copying of registered designs through the introduction of the Intellectual Property Bill (Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment) (NIA 129/11-15)

Report on the Legislative Consent Motion which extends to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Energy Bill dealing with Power Sector Decarbonisation thus enabling a 2030 power sector decarbonisation target for the electricity sector in subordinate legislation (Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment) (NIA 130/11-15)

Report on Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure: Management of Major Capital Projects (Public Accounts Committee) (NIA 136/11-15)

Report on the Tobacco Retailers Bill (NIA 19/11-15) (Committee for Health Social Services and Public Safety) (NIA 137/11-15)

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2013/140 The Shore Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/236 The Train Driving Licences and Certificates (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/237 The Railways (Safety Management) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/243 The Automatic Enrolment (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DSD)

For Information Only:

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Publication of Revised Draft PPS 15 – Planning & Flood Risk (DOE)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Future Arrangements for Consumer Representation in Northern Ireland (DETI)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications