Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2014/2015
Date: 12 January 2015
The Assembly met at noon, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Speaker’s Business
2.1 Royal Assent
The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 11 December 2014 to the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.
2.2 Royal Assent
The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 08 January 2015 to the Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Act 2015.
2.3 Committee Chairperson Nominations
The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the following resignations took effect from 10 December 2014: Mr Alastair Ross as Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges and Mr Paul Givan as Chairperson of the Committee for Justice. The Principal Deputy Speaker also informed Members that, with effect from 10 December 2014, Mr Alastair Ross had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee for Justice and Mr Jimmy Spratt had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges and confirmed the appointments.
3. Matters of the Day
3.1 Terror Attacks in Paris
Mr Danny Kinahan made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the terror attacks in Paris. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
4. Assembly Business
4.1 Motion – Suspension of Standing Order 20(1)
Proposed:
That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 12 January 2015.
Mr P Weir
Ms C Ruane
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
4.2 Election of Speaker
The Acting Speaker (Mr Gardiner) took the Chair.
The Acting Speaker outlined the procedure for the election of a Speaker under Standing Order 4.
Mr Martin McGuinness nominated Mr Mitchel McLaughlin as a candidate for the Office of Speaker of the Assembly and Ms Caitríona Ruane seconded the nomination. Mr McLaughlin indicated his agreement to accept the nomination. Dr Alasdair McDonnell nominated Mr John Dallat as a candidate for the Office of Speaker of the Assembly and Mrs Dolores Kelly seconded the nomination. Mr Dallat indicated his agreement to accept the nomination. Mr Mike Nesbitt nominated Mr Roy Beggs as a candidate for the Office of Speaker of the Assembly and Mr Robin Swann seconded the nomination. Mr Beggs indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, that Mr Mitchel McLaughlin be Speaker of the Assembly, the Motion was carried on a cross-community vote (Division 1).
The Speaker took the Chair.
5. Committee Business
5.1 Motion – Draft Budget 2015-16
Proposed:
That this Assembly takes note of the Draft Budget 2015-16 announced on Monday 3 November 2014 by the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 Social Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey.
6.2 Agriculture and Rural Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill.
7. Committee Business
7.1 Motion – Draft Budget 2015-16
Debate resumed.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
The Speaker took the Chair
The Question being put, the motion was carried without division.
8. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 6.50pm.
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker
12 January 2015
Northern Ireland Assembly
12 January 2015
Division 1
Election of Speaker
Proposed:
That Mr Mitchel McLaughlin be Speaker of this Assembly
Mr M McGuinness
Ms C Ruane
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 72
Noes: 12
AYES
NATIONALIST:
Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr Brady, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Ms McCorley, Mr McElduff, Ms McGahan, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.
UNIONIST:
Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Cameron, Mr Campbell, Mr Clarke, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.
OTHER:
Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McCartney and Ms Ruane.
NOES
UNIONIST:
Mr Allister, Mr Beggs, Mr Cree, Mrs Dobson, Mr Elliott, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr McGimpsey, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr Swann.
Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Dobson and Mrs Overend.
Total votes 84 Total Ayes 72 [85.7%]
Nationalist Vote 28 Nationalist Ayes 28 [100%]
Unionist Votes 48 Unionist Ayes 36 [75.0%]
Other Votes 8 Other Ayes 8 [100%]
The Motion was carried on a cross-community vote.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
10 December 2014 – 12 January 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
Funds in Court in Northern Ireland – Statement of Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (DOJ).
North Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DE).
Belfast Metropolitan College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
Northern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
North West Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
South Eastern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
Southern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
South West Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014 (DEL).
Human Rights Guidance for the Youth Justice Agency in Relation to Conditions of Detention, by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland (DOJ).
Human Rights Guidance for the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland (DOJ).
Charitable Donations and Bequests Annual Report to 31 March 2014 (DSD).
Social Fund Annual Report 2013/2014 (DSD).
The Office of Social Fund Commissioner for Northern Ireland Annual Report 2013/2014 (DSD).
Memorandum of Understanding between the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (DETI).
Northern Ireland Tourist Board Annual Report 2013/2014 (DETI).
Special EU Programmes Body Annual Report 2013 (DFP).
National Museums Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2013-2014 (DCAL).
Assembly Consent Memorandum, the Public Bodies (Abolition of the Advisory Committees on Pesticides) Order 2015 (DARD).
Libraries NI Annual Report and Accounts 2013-2014 (DCAL).
Legislative Consent Memorandum Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Bill (DHSSPS).
South Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 (DE).
Northern Ireland Law Commission Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DOJ).
Insolvency Service Annual Report and Account for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DETI).
Victims and Survivors Service Annual Report and Accounts 2013/2014 (OFMDFM).
Annual Report and Accounts of the Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (OFMDFM).
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2014 (OFMDFM).
Retention and Disposal Schedule (Further Education College Sector) (DCAL).
Legislative Consent Memorandum – Westminster Pension Schemes Bill (DSD).
The Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 (DE).
Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency Annual Report 2013/14 (DHSSPS).
Draft code of Practice No. 14 Governance and Administration of Public Service Pension Schemes (DSD).
Western Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DFP).
Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2014 (DARD).
Agricultural Marketing Schemes: 2013/2014 British Wool Marketing Board Report (DARD).
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Petroleum Production Account for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DETI)
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Mineral Development Account for the year ended 31 March 2014 (DETI)
5. Assembly Reports
Report on the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service Trust Statement for the year ended 31 March 2013 NIA 215/11-16 (Public Accounts Committee).
Report on the Legislative Consent Motion: Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill (Public Sector Exit Payments) NIA 216/11-16 (Committee for Finance and Personnel).
Report on the Executive’s Draft Budget 2015-16 NIA 219/11-16 (Committee for Finance and Personnel).
Report on the Legislative Consent Motion: Pension Schemes Bill (Public Service Defined Benefit Schemes) NIA 218/11-16 (Committee for Finance and Personnel).
Committee for Enterprise Trade and Investment – Report on its Consideration of the Legislative Consent Memorandum Concerning the Extension to Northern Ireland of Certain Provisions in the Small Business, Enterprise & Employment Bill (NIA 220/11-16) (Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment).
6. Statutory Rules
S.R. 2014/296 The Marriage (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP).
S.R. 2014/297 The Civil Partnership (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP).
S.R. 2014/302 The Taxi Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/307 The Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/308 The Phosphorus (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/309 The Education (Student Support) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).
S.R. 2014/310 The Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DE).
S.R. 2014/311 The A29 Armagh Road, Moy (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/312 The Broadway, Larne (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/314 The Templemore Avenue, Belfast (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/318 The Health and Social Care Bodies (Membership) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).
S.R. 2014/319 The General Dental Services (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).
S.R. 2014/320 The Criminal Justice (European Protection Order) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014 (DOJ).
S.R. 2014/321 The Public Service Pensions (Record Keeping and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DSD).
S.R. 2015/XXX The Public Bodies (Abolition of the Advisory Committees on Pesticides) Order 2015 (DARD).
S.R. 2015/XXX The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse (Amendment of Terms of Reference) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (OFMDFM).
S.R. 2015/XXX The Police Pensions (Consequential Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).
S.R. 2015/XXX The Planning (2011 Act) (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).
S.R. 2015/1 The Gas and Electricity Licence Modification and Appeals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DETI).
For Information Only
S.R. 2014/300 (C.16) The Taxis (2008 Act) (Commencement No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/303 The Taxis Operators Licensing (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/313 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Armagh) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/315 The Parking Places (Disabled Person's Vehicles) (Amendment No. 6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/316 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/317 The Waiting Restrictions (Carrickfergus) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/305 The Financial Provisions (2014 Act) (Commencement No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP).
S.R. 2014/306 The Rates (Amendment) (2009) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DFP).
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Consultation on Proposals to Introduce Deferral of Compulsory School Starting Age in Exceptional Circumstances (DE).
Consultation on Proposed Measures to Implement Elements of EU Regulation 1257/2013 on Ship Recycling Relating to the Authorisation of UK Ship Recycling Facilities (DOE).
Consultation on Proposals on Extending the Validity Period of Medically Restricted Driving Licences (DOE).
Consultation on Draft Flood Risk Management Plans (DARD).
UK-wide Consultation on Amendments to UK Law to Ensure Compliance with the Third European Commission (EC) Driving Licence Directive – 2006/126/EC (DOE).
9. Departmental Publications
The Report of The Independent Review of Home to School Transport August 2014 (DE).
Memorandum on the Twenty Fourth Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2011-2016 (DFP).
Annual Progress Report 2014 - Rural White Paper Action Plan (DARD).
Addressing Bullying in Schools Consultation (DE).
10. Agency Publications
11. Westminster Publications
12. Miscellaneous Publications
Northern Ireland Community Relations Council Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 (OFMDFM).
