Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Principal Deputy 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 Alex Maskey be appointed as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; that Mr Máirtín Ó Muilleoir replace Mr Chris Hazzard as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; and that Mr Máirtín Ó Muilleoir replace Mr Raymond McCartney as a member of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

Ms C Ruane

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 First Stage – Pensions Bill (NIA 42/11-16)

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey, introduced a Bill to make provision about pensions and about benefits payable to people in connection with bereavement; and for connected purposes.

The Pensions Bill (NIA 42/11-16) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

3.2 Second Stage – Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16)

The Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, moved the Second Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16).

Debate ensued.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16) passed Second Stage without division.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion – Amend Standing Order 71

Proposed:

Leave out Standing Order 71 and insert –

‘71. Oath

Where an oath is to be administered it shall be in the following form -

“I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be truthful and honest, and that I will give the Committee/Assembly all such information and assistance as I can to enable it to discharge its responsibilities”;

but where the person giving the evidence objects to being sworn, he or she shall be permitted to make a solemn affirmation in the following form -

“I, _____________ do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be truthful and honest, and that I will give the Committee/Assembly all such information and assistance as I can to enable it to discharge its responsibilities”.’

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.

4.2 Motion – Report on the Inquiry into Flexible Working in the Public Sector in Northern Ireland

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves the report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel on its Inquiry into Flexible Working in the Public Sector in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in conjunction with his Executive colleagues, to implement, as applicable, the recommendations contained therein.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 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 McCann, also answered a number of questions.

5.2 Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster.

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 Ebola – Testing for Suspected Cases

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Jim Wells, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Deputy Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.45pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Principal Deputy Speaker

10 November 2014

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
05 - 10 November 2014

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16).

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Draft Budget 2015-16 (DFP).

Departmental Resource Accounts 2013/14 (DEL).

5. Assembly Reports

Report on The Future Impact of Borrowing and Private Finance Commitments and Belfast Metropolitan College’s Titanic Quarter PPP Project (NIA 202/11-16) (Public Accounts Committee).

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2014/265 The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOJ).

S.R. 2014/275 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DSD).

S.R. 2014/276 The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).

For Information Only

S.R. 2000/393 The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No.3) 2000 Correction (DOJ).

S.R. 2008/479 The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No.3) 2008 Correction (DOJ).

S.R. 2009/264 The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No.3) 2009 Correction (DOJ).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The Regeneration and Housing Bill (DSD).

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on Planning Reform and Transfer to Local Government (DOE).

Consultation on a draft Adult Safeguarding Policy (DHSSPS).

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

Labour Relations Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2013 -2014 (DEL).

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications