Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2014/2015

Date: 19 April 2015

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

1.    Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Assembly Business

2.1  Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Gary Middleton be appointed as a Member of the Committee for Social Development.

Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow

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

Deputy Speaker Dallat in the Chair

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1  Statement – Enabling Success – Supporting the Transition from Economic Inactivity to Employment

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding Enabling Success – Supporting the Transition from Economic Inactivity to Employment, following which he replied to questions.

4.    Committee Business

4.1   First Stage – Public Services Ombudsperson Bill

The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Mr Chris Lyttle, introduced a Bill to establish and make provision about the office of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsperson; to abolish the offices of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints and the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland; to provide that the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsperson is, by virtue of holding that office, the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman; and for connected purposes.

The Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA Bill 47/11-16) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

4.2  Motion – Extension of Committee Stage – Special Education Needs and Disability Bill (NIA 46/11-16)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 November 2015, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Special Education Needs and Disability Bill (NIA 46/11-16).

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

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

4.3  Motion – Prayer of Annulment – Department of Education Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records

The following motion stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Chairperson of the Committee for Education.  

That this Assembly requires the preservation of medical records of those exposed to a substance hazardous to health listed for disposal in the Department of Education Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records laid in the Assembly on 25 February 2015.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

The motion was not moved.

5.    Private Members’ Business

5.1   Motion – Fuel Laundering

That this Assembly expresses its concern at the continuing high levels of fuel laundering, the organised criminal activity surrounding it and the evident lack of criminal prosecutions; notes the environmental damage caused to the countryside; recognises the financial losses suffered by both Her Majesty's Treasury and legitimate fuel operators and the consequential serious implications for the local economy; and calls on the Minister of Justice to ensure action is taken at every operational level to secure greater numbers of prosecutions for this serious crime.

Mr J Bell
Mr A Ross
Mr J Craig
Lord Morrow

5.2   Amendment

Proposed:

Insert after‘economy;’:

‘further notes that legislation extending the role of the National Crime Agency in Northern Ireland has completed its passage at Westminster and that the National Crime Agency must now demonstrate that it will deploy its full powers and resources against any and all persons or organisations involved in fuel laundering and other organised crime;’

[Mr A Maginness]
[Mr A Attwood]
[Mr P McGlone]

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

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

6.   Question Time

6.1  Finance and Personnel  

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Simon Hamilton.

6.2  Health, Social Services and Public Safety   

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Jim Wells.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7.    Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1  Motion – Fuel Laundering (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried.

7.2   Motion – Westminster Elections

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the potential for a hung Parliament following the Westminster elections; further notes that the votes of Members of Parliament from Northern Ireland could be critical in relation to the formation of the next Westminster government; and calls on all Members of Parliament returned from Northern Ireland to play their full part in achieving the best possible outcomes for Northern Ireland, in particular in relation to the block grant and welfare provisions.

Mr C Eastwood
Mr F McKinney
Mr D Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, there were dissenting voices. Tellers were called for a Division. Two Tellers presented for the Ayes but none for the Noes. In accordance with Standing Order 27(4) the determination of the Assembly was that of the side for which two Tellers had been nominated.  The Motion was carried without division.

8.   Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 17.05pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

The Speaker

20 April 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
15 April - 20 April 2015

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 Northern Ireland Social Security Agency Social Fund Account for the year ended 31 March 2014 (NIAO).

Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DOJ).

Biodegradable Carrier Bags Report: Exemptions from the Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy April 2015 (DOE).

Report of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards for 2014-2015 (Commissioner for Standards).

Weights and Measures Report for the Period 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2014 (DETI).

The Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions - NIEA) Charging Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

The Radioactive Substances (Fees and Charges) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

5.      Assembly Reports

Report on Managing and Protecting Funds held In Court NIA 246/11-16 (PAC).

Inquiry into allegations, arising from a BBC NI Spotlight programme aired on 3 July 2013, of impropriety or irregularity relating to NIHE managed contracts and consideration of any resulting actions – Phase 3 NIA 222/11-16 (Committee for Social Development).

6.      Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/216 The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/214 The Road Races (Tour of the Sperrins Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

7.      Written Ministerial Statements

Update on Progress with the Investment Strategy 2011-21 and report on Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects (OFMDFM).

8.      Consultation Documents

9.      Departmental Publications

10.    Agency Publications

11.    Westminster Publications

12.    Miscellaneous Publications

The Effectiveness of public transport in Northern Ireland (NIAO).

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