Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Public Petition

2.1  Public Petition – Inclusion of Gullion/South Armagh in new Newry, Mourne and Down Council name

Mr Mickey Brady was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding the inclusion of Gullion/South Armagh in new Newry, Mourne and Down Council name.

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1  Motion – The draft Energy (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the draft Energy (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be approved.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

3.2  Final Stage – Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16)

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey, moved that the Final Stage of the Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

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

The Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16) passed Final Stage.

4.    Committee Business

4.1  Motion – Establishment of an Ad Hoc Joint Committee to consider the Mental Capacity Bill

Proposed:

That as provided for in Standing Order 64C, this Assembly appoints an Ad Hoc Joint Committee to consider the Mental Capacity Bill; and to submit a report to the Assembly by 28 January 2016.

Composition:           
Democratic Unionist Party 4
Sinn Féin 3              
Ulster Unionist Party 2
Social Democratic and Labour Party 1
Alliance Party 1

Quorum:   The quorum shall be five Members except when no decision is taken or question put to the Committee, when the quorum shall be four.

Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee shall determine.

Mr P Weir
Ms C Ruane
Mr P Ramsey
Mr R Swann
Mr S Dickson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

4.2  Second Stage – Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA Bill 47/11-16)

The Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Mr Mike Nesbitt, moved the Second Stage of the Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA Bill 47/11-16).

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker 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 Jennifer 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.

5.3  Employment and Learning   

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

6.    Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1  Second Stage – Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA Bill 47/11-16) (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Bill.

The Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA Bill 47/11-16) passed Second Stage without division.

6.2  Motion – Establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to consider the Public Services Ombudsperson Bill

Proposed:

That as provided for in Standing Order 53(1), this Assembly appoints an Ad Hoc Committee to consider the Public Services Ombudsperson Bill; and to submit a report to the Assembly by 30 June 2015.

Composition:           
Democratic Unionist Party 4
Sinn Féin 3              
Ulster Unionist Party 1
Social Democratic and Labour Party 2
Alliance Party 1

Quorum:   The quorum shall be five Members except when no decision is taken or question put to the Committee, when the quorum shall be four.

Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee shall determine.

Mr P Weir
Ms C Ruane
Mr P Ramsey
Mr R Swann
Mr S Dickson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried.

6.3 Motion – Accelerated Passage: Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 48/11-16)

Proposed:

That the Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 48/11-16) proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

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

Debate ensued.

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

6.4  Second Stage – Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 48/11-16)

The Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Mr Mike Nesbitt, moved the Second Stage of the Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 48/11-16).

Debate ensued.

The Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 48/11-16) passed Second Stage without division.

7.    Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.49pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

The Speaker

11 May 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
29 April - 11 May 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

Northern Ireland Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 2015 (DFP).

Northern Ireland Partnership Pension Account Ill Health Benefits Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 2015 (DFP).

Unregistered Death Benefits Scheme (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

Northern Ireland Partnership Pension Account Death Benefits Scheme (Amendment) Scheme 2015 (DFP).

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Twenty Seventh Report from the Public Account Committee Mandate 2011-2016 (DFP).

The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (PACE) Codes of Practice A-H (DOJ).

5.    Assembly Reports

Report on the Estimate of the Northern Ireland Audit Office 2015-16 (NIA 245/11-16)  (Audit Committee).

Committee Stage of the Food Hygiene Rating Bill (NIA 204/11-16) (Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety).

6.    Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/224 The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Constitution) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DE).

S.R. 2015/225 The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Codes of Practice) Order 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/234 The White Lodge Court, Greenisland (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/236 The Explosives (Appointment of Authorities and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/239 The Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DCAL).

S.R 2015/241 The Crown Court (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/242 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/244 The Londonderry Harbour (Variation of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/XXX The Planning (Amount of Fixed Penalty) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/230 (C) The Public Authorities (Reform) (2009 Act) (Commencement
No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (OFMDFM).

S.R. 2015/232 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Antrim) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/233 The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/240 The Off-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

7.    Written Ministerial Statements

8.    Consultation Documents

Entertainment Licensing Consultation – Report by the Entertainment Licensing Review Group (DOE).

Consultation Paper on the Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

9.    Departmental Publications

10.  Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

12.  Miscellaneous Publications