Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2013/2014

Date: 30 September 2013

Venue: Plenary Chamber

The Assembly met at noon, the Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr McLaughlin) in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Deputy Chairperson Nomination

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker had received the resignation of Mr Kieran McCarthy as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. The Speaker had also received the nomination of Ms Anna Lo as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges with effect from 30 September 2013. The Principal Deputy Speaker confirmed the appointment.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mrs Dolores Kelly replace Mr Mark H Durkan as a member of the Committee for Social Development; and that Mr Fearghal McKinney be appointed as a member of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Mr P Ramsey
Mrs K McKevitt

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

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement – Fundamental Review of GCSEs and A Levels

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the Fundamental Review of GCSEs and A Levels, following which he replied to questions.

4.2 Motion – The draft Lands Tribunal (Salaries) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013

Proposed:

That the draft Lands Tribunal (Salaries) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 be approved.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

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

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: The Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 22/11-15)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 December 2013, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 22/11-15).

Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel

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

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion - Exploitation of Children and Young People

Proposed:

This this Assembly notes with concern the recent revelations regarding the abuse and exploitation of children and young people; calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to liaise with the Minister of Justice to initiate an inquiry to ascertain the prevalence of abuse and exploitation of children both in care and elsewhere; and further calls on all relevant Departments to outline the strategies that will be put in place to safeguard and protect children and young people in care.

Ms M McLaughlin
Mr M Brady
Ms C Ruane

6.2 Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘protect’ and insert:

‘all children and young people.’

Mr R Beggs
Mrs S Overend

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

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

7. Question Time

7.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuiness. The junior Minister, Ms Jennifer McCann, also answered a number of questions.

7.2 Regional Development

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

8. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

8.1 Motion - Exploitation of Children and Young People

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

8.2 Motion - Farm Safety Investment Scheme

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern at the number of fatalities and injuries on farms; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to build upon the good work of the Farm Safety Partnership by, as a matter of urgency, providing adequate funding for a farm safety investment scheme to help protect people working on farms and encourage real and practical investment in farm safety.

Mr P Frew
Mr T Buchanan
Miss M McIlveen
Mr W Irwin

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

9. Adjournment

Mr Mickey Brady spoke to his topic regarding the Newry Southern Relief Road.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.53pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
30 September 2013

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
25 – 30 September 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

Report on NIFRS: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight (NIA131/11-15)

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2013/ Draft The Pharmacy (1976 Order) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DHSSPS)

S. R. 2013/223 The Education (Student Support) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DEL)

S. R. 2013/225 The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (Social Care Workers Prohibition) and Fitness of Workers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DHSSPS)

S. R. 2013/229 The Contaminants in Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DHSSPS)

For Information Only:

S. R. 2013/224 The Goods Vehicles (Community Licence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DOE)

S. R. 2013/226 The Waiting Restrictions (Holywood) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/227 The Cycle Routes (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/228 The One-Way Traffic (Carrickfergus) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

S. R. 2013/230 The Waiting Restrictions (Dungannon) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Bright Start: The Executive’s Programme for Affordable and Integrated Childcare (A Strategy Framework and Keys First Actions)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Department for Social Development Business Plan 2013/14 (DSD)

Northern Ireland Audit Office Account NI: Review of a Public Sector Financial Shared Service Centre (DFP)

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Disposal and Retention Schedule May 2013 (DSD)

Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta Tuairisc Bhliantuil 2012/13 (DE)

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013 (DARD)

Charitable Donations and Bequests Annual Report to 31 March 2013 (DSD)

Report on an announced inspection of Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre 18-22 February 2013 (DOJ)

Report on an announced inspection of Ash House, Hydebank Wood Women's Prison, 18-22 February 2013 (DOJ)

Consultative Document: Proposals for the Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DETI)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

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