Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 25 March 2014 to the Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Public Disorder in Larne

Mr Stewart Dickson made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to public disorder in Larne. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement – Review of Careers in Northern Ireland

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding the review of careers in Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

4.2 First Stage: Legal Aid and Coroners’ Courts Bill (NIA 33/11-15)

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, introduced a Bill to dissolve the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission and provide for the exercise of functions of the Commission by the Department of Justice or the Director of Legal Aid Casework; to amend the law on legal aid in criminal proceedings, civil legal services and criminal defence services; to provide for the Lord Chief Justice to be president of the coroners’ courts and for the appointment of a Presiding coroner; and for connected purposes.

The Legal Aid and Coroners’ Courts Bill (NIA 33/11-15) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

4.3 Motion – The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

Proposed:

That the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 be affirmed.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued.

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

4.4 Motion – The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

Proposed:

That the Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 be approved.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued.

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

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion – Animal Cruelty

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the number of cases of extreme animal cruelty that have occurred recently, the low number of convictions and the failure to impose the maximum sentence available; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, in conjunction with the Minister of Justice, to initiate a review of the implementation of animal cruelty legislation, particularly sentencing guidelines and practices, to ensure that the maximum effectiveness is being brought to bear to combat these crimes.

Mr P Weir
Mr R Newton
Mr J Wells

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

6. Question Time

6.1 Employment and Learning 

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

6.2 Social Development

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

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Deaths in Northern Health and Social Care Trust

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

8. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

8.1 Motion – Animal Cruelty

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

Debate resumed.

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

8.2 Motion – Tackling the Gender Imbalance in the Senior Civil Service

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the current gender imbalance across senior posts in the Northern Ireland Civil Service; accepts that, in the interests of equality and the utilisation of the skills, knowledge and talent of all civil servants, gender should not be an impediment to the recruitment, promotion and retention of personnel at senior grades; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to identify the reasons for the current imbalance, and to devise and implement a plan that will deliver a more balanced gender makeup of Grade 3, Grade 5 and Permanent Secretary posts within five years.

Mr M McGimpsey
Mrs S Overend

8.3 Amendment

Proposed:

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘grades;’ and insert:

‘recognises the plan contained in the Department of Finance and Personnel’s 2010 “Review of Gender” to deliver a more balanced gender makeup of Grade 3, Grade 5 and Permanent Secretary posts; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to identify the reasons for the current imbalance and to outline the progress to date against the plan.’

Mr P Girvan
Mr P Weir
Mr A McQuillan
Mr I McCrea

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

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

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

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.04pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

31 March 2014

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
26 - 31 March 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

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment No.2) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules          

2014/77 The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE)

2014/97 The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DEL)

2014/98 The Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DSD)

For Information Only:

2014/95 The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD)

2014/102 The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Participating Wife or Civil Partner of Self-employed Earner) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DSD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Publication of “Making it better through pharmacy in the community” DHSSPS

Northern Health and Social Care Trust: Implementation of Improvement Programme - Update

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Proposed Exemption for Police Use of In-Car Screens (DOE)

Employment Law Review Pilot: Review of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (DEL)

9. Departmental Publications

Progress and Priorities: Addendum to the Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan (2008 - 2013) to December 2015 (DHSSPS)

Statistical Review of Northern Ireland Agriculture 2013 (DARD)

10. Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications