Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2013/2014

Date: 03 February 2014

Venue: Plenary Chamber

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

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Public Petition

2.1 Public Petition – Proposed closure of Immaculate Conception College

Mr Pat Ramsey was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding the proposed closure of Immaculate Conception College.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Paula Bradley replace Mr Simon Hamilton as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow

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

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Legislative Consent Motion – Children and Families Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the UK Parliament should consider the extension to Northern Ireland of amendments to the Children and Families Bill dealing with the regulation of retail packaging etc of tobacco products.

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Nelson McCausland.

5.2 Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Legislative Consent Motion – Children and Families Bill

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion – Health Inequalities Experienced by People with a Learning Disability

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the health inequalities experienced by people with a learning disability; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to use the opportunities associated with Transforming Your Care to prioritise and tackle this issue.

Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion – Mental Wellbeing of the Farming Community

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the detrimental impact the current financial situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions during the past year, is having on the mental wellbeing of those within the farming community; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to liaise with the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to bring forward proposals to promote the mental health service provision available to farmers, agricultural and agri-food workers; and further calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to address the stigma of mental health issues and promote the development of therapies and practices best suited to supporting those working in the agricultural sector.

Mr O McMullan
Ms M McLaughlin

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 6.22pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
3 February 2014

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
29 January – 3 February 2014

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

Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme January 2014 (DOE)

OFMDFM Retention and Disposal Schedule 7 October 2013 (DCAL)

Special EU Programmes Body Annual Report 2012 (DFP)

Northern Ireland Law Commission - Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2013 (DOJ)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2014/20 The Misuse of Drugs (Designation)(Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS)

S. R. 2014/21 The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS)

For Information Only:

S. R. 2014/XX The General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Improving Planning – Preparing for 2015 (DOE)

Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (DOE)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Review of Salting Actions – 12/13 January 2014 (DRD)

Northern Ireland Estimates - Vote on Account 2014-2015 (DFP)

Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2013-2014 (DFP)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

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