Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Executive Committee Business

2.1  Statement – Reduction in the number of Northern Ireland Civil Service departments: Names and functions of departments

The First Minister, the Rt Hon Peter Robinson, made a statement regarding a reduction in the number of Northern Ireland Civil Service departments and the names and functions of departments, following which he replied to questions.

2.2    First Stage – Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill (NIA Bill 46/11-16)

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to special education and disability discrimination in schools.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill (NIA Bill 46/11-16) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

2.3     Legislative Consent Motion – Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 2 July 2014, contained in clause 5 and paragraphs 1-6 of the Schedule dealing with the objectives of regulators of health and social care professionals.

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Debate ensued.

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

2.4     Motion – The Donaghadee Harbour (Transfer of Harbour Undertaking) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the Donaghadee Harbour (Transfer of Harbour Undertaking) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be affirmed.

Minister for Regional Development

Debate ensued.

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

2.5     Motion – The Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

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

2.6     Motion – The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

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

2.7     Motion – The Rates (Owners Allowances) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the Rates (Owners Allowances) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

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

3.    Committee Business

3.1   Motion – Extension of Committee Stage – Children's Services Co-operation Bill (NIA Bill 44/11-16)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 3 July 2015, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Children's Services Co-operation Bill (NIA Bill 44/11-16).

Chairperson, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

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

3.2     Motion – STEM in Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the recent publication of the Education and Training Inspectorate’s evaluation of the implementation of The World Around Us, the Confederation of British Industry Northern Ireland Step Change Report, the Momentum Digital Strategy Action Plan and the Engineering UK 2015 Report, all of which highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in schools; recognises the role of STEM as a key driver of the economy; and calls on the Minister of Education to support and encourage the full implementation of the STEM aspects of the curriculum in order to bring about high quality learning for all children.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4.   Question Time

4.1       Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister  

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

4.2       Education   

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

5.    Committee Business (cont’d)

5.1     Motion – STEM in Schools (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

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

5.2     Motion – Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the effective impact the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Inclusion (TRPSI) Framework has had on the farming and rural community; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement the recommendations outlined in the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development position paper on the Review of the TRPSI Framework.

Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Debate ensued.

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

6.   Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.38pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

The Speaker

02 March 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
25 February – 02 March 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

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of the Environment (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of Education (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department for Regional Development (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of Justice (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DCAL/PRONI).

Retention and Disposal Schedule for Employee Records – Department for Social Development (DCAL/PRONI).

Report on an Unannounced Inspection of Magilligan Prison 27 May – 5 June 2014 (DOJ).

Post-legislative scrutiny of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

The Executive’s Third Annual Report on the Child Poverty Strategy 2011-14 (OFMDFM).

5.    Assembly Reports

Report on the extent to which Standing Orders should permit the Attorney General for Northern Ireland to participate in proceedings of the Assembly: Part 1 – Impartiality of the Office of AGNI, Registration of Interests and participation of the AGNI in Assembly proceedings in respect of areas other than Statutory Rules NIA 232/11-16 (Committee on Procedures).

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 2 NIA 190/1-16 (Committee for Social Development).

6.    Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/12 The Public Service Pensions (Employer Cost Cap) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/77 The Local Government Pension Scheme (Governance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/78 The Firefighters' Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DHSSPS).

S.R. 2015/79 The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

S.R. 2015/82 The Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/83 The Rates (Transitional Relief) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/109 The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

7.    Written Ministerial Statements

8.    Consultation Documents

Cross-border broadband initiative: the Bytel project (NIAO).

Consultation on the Interim Report of the Review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 (DARD).

9.    Departmental Publications

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

Forbairt Acmhainní do Shainriachtanais Oideachais (Comhad Acmhainni do scoileanna le tacú le páistí a bhfuil Sainriachtanais Oideachais acu atá ag foghlaim trí mheán na Gaeilge).

Capacity Building for Special Educational Needs (A Resource File for schools to support children with Special Educational Needs learning through the medium of Irish (DE).

10. Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications