Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Public Petition

2.1  Public Petition – Mental Health and Well-being Education within the Northern Ireland School Curriculum

Mr Roy Beggs was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to mental health and well-being education within the Northern Ireland School Curriculum.

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1  Further Consideration Stage – Budget Bill (NIA Bill 45/11-16)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Simon Hamilton, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 45/11-16).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 45/11-16) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. 

3.2       Motion – The draft Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the draft Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 be approved.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

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

4.   Private Members’ Business

4.1       Motion – Reductions in the Block Grant

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the persistent reductions to the block grant create significant challenges for the Executive in the delivery of frontline services; welcomes agreement on the Budget 2015-16; further recognises that the Executive has additional revenue generating powers which have not been explored fully as part of the budget process; and calls on the Executive to collectively identify progressive options to raise local revenue and increase the local budget.

Mr D McKay
Mr M Ó Muilleoir
Ms M Boyle

4.2    Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘frontline services’; and insert:

“further recognises that the Executive has additional revenue-generating powers which have not been explored fully as part of the budget process; recognises that there has not been a consistent approach to reducing waste and pursuing public sector reform to ensure that additional resources are available for frontline services; and calls on the Executive to identify, collectively, progressive options to raise local revenue, tackle waste and pursue public service reform to effectively increase the local budget.”

Mrs J Cochrane
Mr C Lyttle
Mr S Dickson

4.3    Amendment 2

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘2015-16;’ and insert:

“notes the success of the Executive in securing the devolution of corporation tax and air passenger duty for long haul flights; further notes the work being conducted by the Department of Finance and Personnel on the potential for devolving specific additional fiscal powers; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to bring forward recommendations on further fiscal devolution to the Executive.”

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

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

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

5.   Question Time

5.1  Regional Development

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

5.2  Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey.

6.   Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1  Motion – Reductions in the Block Grant

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, Amendment 1 fell (Division 1).

The Question being put, Amendment 2 was made (Division 2).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 3).

6.2  Motion: Magee Campus of Ulster University

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of expanding higher education across Northern Ireland and particularly the importance of expansion at Ulster University’s Magee campus in driving economic growth in the North West; notes the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Lockwood Commission report; affirms its commitment to the One Plan targets of expanding to 9,400 full time equivalent students by 2020 and increasing the maximum student number by 1,000 by 2015; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister, as chairs of the North West Ministerial Sub-Group, to liaise directly with the Ulster University and the Minister for Employment and Learning to prioritise the expansion at the Magee campus to ensure its full delivery.

Mr P Ramsey
Mr C Eastwood
Mr M Durkan

6.3  Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘report;’ and insert:

“notes the commitment within the One Plan to an expansion to 9,400 full time equivalent students by 2020 and increasing the maximum student number by 1,000 by 2015; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to examine the options for supporting the One Plan target.”

Mr T Buchanan
Mr S Anderson
Mr W Irwin

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment fell.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7.   Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.47pm.           

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

23 February 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

23 February 2015
Division 1

Motion – Reductions in the Block Grant – Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘frontline services’; and insert:

“further recognises that the Executive has additional revenue-generating powers which have not been explored fully as part of the budget process; recognises that there has not been a consistent approach to reducing waste and pursuing public sector reform to ensure that additional resources are available for frontline services; and calls on the Executive to identify, collectively, progressive options to raise local revenue, tackle waste and pursue public service reform to effectively increase the local budget.”

Mrs J Cochrane
Mr C Lyttle
Mr S Dickson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 11
Noes: 76

AYES

Mr Agnew, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCallister, Mr McCarthy, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson.

NOES

Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Buchanan, Mr Byrne, Mrs Cameron, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Dallat, Mr Devenney, Mrs Dobson, Mr Dunne, Mr Durkan, Mr Easton, Mr Eastwood, Mr Elliott, Mr Flanagan, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hazzard, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr G Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McCausland, Ms McCorley, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Ms McGahan, Mr McGimpsey, Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Mr McKinney, Mr McMullan, Mr McQuillan, Mr A Maginness, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

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

The Amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

23 February 2015
Division 2

Motion – Reductions in the Block Grant – Amendment 2

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘2015-16;’ and insert:

“notes the success of the Executive in securing the devolution of corporation tax and air passenger duty for long haul flights; further notes the work being conducted by the Department of Finance and Personnel on the potential for devolving specific additional fiscal powers; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to bring forward recommendations on further fiscal devolution to the Executive.” 

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

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 71
Noes: 16

AYES

Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms Boyle, Ms P Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Devenney, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Flanagan, Mr Ford, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hazzard, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr G Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr McCausland, Ms McCorley, Mr I McCrea, Ms McGahan, Mr McGimpsey, Mr M McGuinness, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mr McMullan, Mr McQuillan, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McQuillan, Mr G Robinson.

NOES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, Mrs McKevitt, Mr McKinney, Mr A Maginness, Mr Ramsey, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr A Maginness, Mr McKinney.

The Amendment was made.

Northern Ireland Assembly

23 February 2015
Division 3

Motion – Reductions in the Block Grant (as amended)

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the persistent reductions to the block grant create significant challenges for the Executive in the delivery of frontline services; welcomes agreement on the Budget 2015-16; notes the success of the Executive in securing the devolution of corporation tax and air passenger duty for long haul flights; further notes the work being conducted by the Department of Finance and Personnel on the potential for devolving specific additional fiscal powers; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to bring forward recommendations on further fiscal devolution to the Executive.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 72
Noes: 15

AYES
Mr Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms Boyle, Ms P Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Cameron, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Devenney, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Flanagan, Mr Ford, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hazzard, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Irwin, Mr G Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr McCausland, Ms McCorley, Mr I McCrea, Ms McGahan, Mr McGimpsey, Mr M McGuinness, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mr McMullan, Mr McQuillan, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McKay, Mr G Robinson.

NOES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Eastwood, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, Mrs McKevitt, Mr McKinney, Mr A Maginness, Mr Ramsey, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr A Maginness, Mr McKinney.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
18 February – 23 February 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

5. Assembly Reports

Report on Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly NIA 224/11-16 (AERC).

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/41 The Motor Vehicle Testing (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/42 The Public Service Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/43 The Goods Vehicles (Testing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/44 The Local Government (Executive Arrangements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/50 The Attorney General’s Human Rights Guidance (Youth Justice Agency – Conditions of Detention) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (AGNI).

S.R. 2015/51 The Attorney General’s Human Rights Guidance (Probation Board for Northern Ireland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (AGNI).

S.R. 2015/56 The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DHSSPS).

S.R. 2015/69 The Teachers’ Superannuation (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DE).

S.R. 2015/68 The Local Government Reorganisation (Compensation for Loss of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/75 The Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/XXX The Civil Legal Services (Cost Protection) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/XXX The Criminal Legal Aid (Disclosure of Information) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/XXX The Civil Legal Services (Disclosure of Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/XXX The Civil Legal Services (Appeal) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/35 (C. 4) The Education (2014 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DE).

S.R. 2015/49 (C. 5) The Planning (2011 Act) (Commencement No. 3) and (Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/57 (C. 6) The Child Maintenance (2008 Act) (Commencement No. 15) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

S.R. 2015/59 The One-Way Traffic (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/60 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/67 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Age Discrimination Legislation (OFMDFM).

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications