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 28 April 2014 to the Financial Provisions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

2.2    Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 28 April 2014 to the Carrier Bags Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

3.    Private Members’ Business

3.1   Motion – Giro d’Italia 2014

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the Giro d’Italia is one of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar; warmly welcomes it to Northern Ireland; acknowledges the significance and magnitude of being chosen to host the Grande Partenza; understands the benefits to be obtained in terms of the economy, tourism, cultural exchange and education, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and worldwide publicity for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Executive to take all necessary steps to maximise the potential to be gained through such a prestigious event.

Mr S Douglas
Mr P Weir

3.2       Amendment

Proposed:

At end insert:

 ‘and to allocate adequate resources for the delivery of a suitable Giro legacy plan to include improved provision and infrastructure for schools, commuting, leisure, tourist and sporting cycling in Northern Ireland.’

Mr C Lyttle
Ms A Lo

Debate ensued.

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

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

3.3       Motion – Marriage Equality

A valid Petition of Concern was presented under Standing Order 28, on Monday 28 April 2014 in relation to the Motion (Appendix 1).

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that other jurisdictions on these islands have moved forward with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples; believes that all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same legal entitlement to marry and to the protections, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage; supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages; calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to guarantee that couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that all legislation adheres to the Executive’s commitments to protect equality for all.

Ms C Ruane
Ms B McGahan
Ms M Fearon

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.31pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr McLaughlin) in the Chair.

4.    Question Time

4.1     Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.

4.2     Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

5.    Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

5.1       Motion – Marriage Equality

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Motion was negatived on a cross-community vote (Division).

6.    Adjournment

Mr Chris Hazzard spoke to his topic regarding the establishment of a minor injuries unit at Downe Hospital

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.35pm

Mr William Hay

The Speaker

29 April 2014

Appendix 1

Northern Ireland Assembly

The undersigned Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly presented a Petition of Concern, in accordance with Standing Order 28, on Monday 28 April 2014 in relation to the following motion:

Marriage Equality

That this Assembly notes that other jurisdictions on these islands have moved forward with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples; believes that all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same legal entitlement to marry and to the protections, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage; supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages; calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to guarantee that couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that all legislation adheres to the Executive’s commitments to protect equality for all.

MR SYDNEY ANDERSON
MS PAULA BRADLEY
MR THOMAS BUCHANAN
MRS PAM CAMERON
MR GREGORY CAMPBELL
MR TREVOR CLARKE
MR JONATHAN CRAIG
MR SAMMY DOUGLAS
MR GORDON DUNNE
MR ALEX EASTON
MR PAUL FREW
MR PAUL GIRVAN
MR PAUL GIVAN
MRS BRENDA HALE
MR DAVID HILDITCH
MR WILLIAM HUMPHREY
MR WILLIAM IRWIN
MR IAN MCCREA
MR DAVID MCILVEEN
MISS MICHELLE MCILVEEN
MR ADRIAN MCQUILLAN
THE LORD MORROW
MR STEPHEN MOUTRAY
MR ROBIN NEWTON
MR GEORGE ROBINSON
MR ALASTAIR ROSS
MR JIMMY SPRATT
MR MERVYN STOREY
MR PETER WEIR
MR JIM WELLS
MR SAMMY WILSON

Northern Ireland Assembly

28 April 2014
Division

Motion – Marriage Equality

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that other jurisdictions on these islands have moved forward with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples; believes that all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same legal entitlement to marry and to the protections, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage; supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages; calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to guarantee that couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that all legislation adheres to the Executive’s commitments to protect equality for all.

Ms C Ruane
Ms B McGahan
Ms M Fearon

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 43
Noes: 51

AYES

NATIONALIST:

Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Ms J McCann,
Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Dr McDonnell, Ms McGahan, Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness,
Mr McKay, Mr McKinney, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, Mr McMullan,
Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Ruane,
Mr Sheehan.

UNIONIST:

Mr Copeland, Mr Kinahan, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea.

OTHER:

Mr Agnew, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lyttle.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Fearon and Ms Ruane.

NOES

UNIONIST:

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Cameron,
Mr Campbell, Mr Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton,
Mr Elliott, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton,
Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea,
Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray,
Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross,
Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

OTHER:

Mrs Cochrane, Mr Lunn.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McQuillan and Mr G Robinson.

Total votes                               94                                           Total Ayes                            43           [45.7%]

Nationalist Vote                      34                                           Nationalist Ayes                  34           [100.0%]

Unionist Votes                         53                                           Unionist Ayes                       4              [7.5%]

Other Votes                               7                                            Other Ayes                          5              [71.4%]

The Motion was negatived on a cross-community vote.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
29 April 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

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2014/116 The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DEL)

For Information Only:

S. R. 2014/122 The Road Races (Drumhorc Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

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

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

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.

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

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

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 30 April 2014

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage

** Please note that any bills that received Royal Assent in the previous session have been removed from the table.