Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Deputy Speaker Mr Beggs in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

The Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker’s Office had received a letter from Mr Alex Maskey giving notice that he intends to resign as a Member of the Assembly with effect from 12.00 midnight on Monday 03 November 2014. The Deputy Speaker advised that the Speaker’s Office had notified the Chief Electoral Officer, in accordance with Section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3. Public Petition

3.1 Public Petition – Rail the Way for Armagh

Mr Dominic Bradley was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding a rail link between Portadown and Armagh.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement – North South Ministerial Council Meeting held in Education Sectoral format

The Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting held in Education Sectoral format , following which he replied to questions.

4.2 Statement – Public Expenditure: Budget 2015-16

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Simon Hamilton, made a statement regarding the draft Budget 2015-16 , following which he replied to questions.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill.

5.2 Culture, Arts and Leisure

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

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 Multiple Sclerosis Respite Unit – Dalriada Hospital, Ballycastle

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Jim Wells, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Daithí McKay.

7. Assembly Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion – Extension of Sitting on Monday 03 November 2014

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 3rd of November 2014 be extended to no later than 9.00pm.

Mr R Swann

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

8. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

8.1 Statement – Coleraine to Londonderry Rail Track Phase 2 Project

The Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy, made a statement regarding the Coleraine to Londonderry Rail Track Phase 2 Project , following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

8.2 First Stage – Food Hygiene Rating Bill (NIA 41/11-16)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Jim Wells, introduced a Bill to provide for the operation of a food hygiene rating scheme in Northern Ireland.

The Food Hygiene Rating Bill (NIA 41/11-16) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

9. Committee Business

9.1 Motion – Review of Waiting Times for Elective Care

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety's review of waiting times for elective care; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to prioritise and tackle this issue.

Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Debate ensued.

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

10. Private Members’ Business

10.1 Motion – Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and that the disease is the cause of approximately 6 per cent of all cancer deaths across Northern Ireland; regrets that only approximately 10 per cent of pancreatic cancer patients undergo curative surgery as most patients are not diagnosed until the cancer is too far advanced for such treatment; acknowledges that 40 per cent of patients visit their GP three or more times before being referred to hospital and that many patients begin treatment for other illnesses before they are diagnosed correctly; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to work with service providers and relevant professional bodies to introduce new, improved and robust pancreatic cancer referral guidelines and to promote training and support for GPs and other health professionals to boost early diagnosis rates, reduce misdiagnosis and to ensure that pancreatic cancer survival rates are improved across Northern Ireland.

Mr T Buchanan
Ms P Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

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

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Deputy Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.52pm.

Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Deputy Speaker
03 November 2014

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 22 October - 03 November 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

Department for Regional Development Resource Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (DRD).

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Resource Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (DHSSPS).

Department of Health, Social Services HSC Pension Scheme Resource Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (DHSSPS).

Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Deregulation Bill 2014 (DETI).

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2014 (OFMDFM).

Commission for Victims and Survivors Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (OFMDFM).

National Museums NI Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 (DCAL).

The North South Language Body Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2012 (DCAL).

5. Assembly Reports

Report on Tackling Social Housing Tenancy Fraud in Northern Ireland 2014 (NIA 197/11-16) (PAC).

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees 2014 (NIA 201/11-16) (ESR).

6. Statutory Rules

S. R. 2014 No. 261 The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No.3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).

S. R. 2014 No. 262 The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment No.3) (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).

S. R. 2014 No. 263 The Jobseeker's Allowance (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DSD).

S. R. 2014 No. 267 The Health and Social Care (Disciplinary Procedures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).

S. R. 2014 No. 268 The A3 Portadown Road, Richhill (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).

S. R. 2014 No. 272 The Latt Road, Jerrettspass, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).

S. R. 2014 No. 273 The A21 Ballygowan Road, Saintfield (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).

For Information Only:

S. R. 2014 No. 266 The Brucellosis Control (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DARD).

S. R. 2014 No. 269 The Waiting Restrictions (Larne) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).

S. R. 2014 No. 270 The Waiting Restrictions (Lurgan) (No. 2) Order (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) (DRD).

S. R. 2014 No. 271 The Roads (Classification) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Public Expenditure: 2014-15 October Monitoring Round (DFP).

Budget 2014/15: Update of Oral Statement made on 14 October (DHSSPS).

Consultation on - ‘The International Working Group’s recommended future model for delivering Congenital Cardiac Services for the population of Northern Ireland’ (DHSSPS).

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Council Charters and Status - Local Government (Transitional, Incidental, Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).

Consultation on NITPS Transitional and Consequential Provisions to be made under the Public Services Pensions (NI) Act 2014 (DE).

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications