Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2014/2015
Date: 29 September 2014
Venue: Assembly Chamber
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 Ministerial Appointments
The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that, on 23 September 2014, Mr Jim Wells had taken up the office of Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and that, on 23 September 2014, Mr Mervyn Storey had taken up the office of Minister for Social Development.
2.2 Committee Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson Nominations
The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the following resignations took effect from 23 September 2014: Mr Mervyn Storey as Chairperson of the Committee for Education; Miss Michelle McIlveen as Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure; Mr Paul Frew as Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development; Mr Jimmy Spratt as Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development; Mr Jim Wells as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and Mr William Irwin as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. The Principal Deputy Speaker also informed Members that, with effect from 23 September 2014, Miss Michelle McIlveen had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee for Education; Mr Nelson McCausland had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure; Mr William Irwin had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development; Mr Trevor Clarke had been nominated as Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development; Ms Paula Bradley had been nominated as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and Mr Gordon Dunne had been nominated as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and confirmed the appointments.
3. Assembly Business
3.1 Motion – Committee Membership
Proposed:
That Mr Kieran McCarthy replace Mrs Judith Cochrane as a member of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development; that Mr Chris Lyttle replace Mr Kieran McCarthy as a member of the Committee for Regional Development; and that Ms Anna Lo replace Mr Chris Lyttle as a member of the Committee for Employment and Learning, with effect from Monday 29 September 2014.
Mr S Dickson
Mr T Lunn
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion - Funding for Students Facing Financial Hardship
Proposed:
That this Assembly believes that funding provided for students in financial hardship is vital in ensuring that students, many of whom are experiencing financial independence and budgeting for the first time, are able to continue studying in times of financial difficulty; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to ensure that funding for student support is prioritised for those in greatest need and to ensure that his Department, working proactively with students' union organisations, colleges and universities, makes students aware of the availability of this support and how it can be accessed.
Mr P Flanagan
Ms B McGahan
Mr F McCann
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
4.2 Motion – Postal Charges
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses concern at the continuing existence of barriers to greater north-south economic development; fully recognises the importance of a reliable, affordable and effective postal delivery service, particularly to micro and small businesses; further recognises the findings in the recent Ofcom Communications Market Report whereby 47 per cent of people questioned felt that the current costs of posting a letter across the border represented poor value for money; further expresses concern at the significant additional cost differential and time delay to deliver post intended for across the border; calls for all companies and agencies involved in postal delivery to introduce a single pricing structure for mail being delivered anywhere on the island of Ireland; and further calls for the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to raise this matter at a forthcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) when it meets in Trade & Business Sectoral Format and to use the NSMC to exert maximum pressure on the above companies and agencies.
Mr P Flanagan
Ms M Fearon
4.3 Amendment
Proposed:
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘small businesses;’ and insert:
‘expresses concern at the threat to the viability of rural post offices that direct delivery competition presents and the significant additional cost differential and time delay to deliver cross border mail; and calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to assist businesses by working in conjunction with her North South Ministerial Council colleagues and her counterparts in the Westminster Government to ensure the long term viability of a universal postal service which incorporates a value for money cross border service.’
Mr P McGlone
Mr J Dallat
Mr D Bradley
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr McLaughlin) took the Chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Justice
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.
5.2 Employment and Learning
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.
6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
6.1 Motion – Postal Charges (Cont’d)
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.
Debate resumed.
The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
7. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Principal Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 3.57pm
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Principal Deputy Speaker
29 September 2014
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on
24 September – 29 September 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
Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2014 (DCAL).
Northern Ireland Census 2011 Key Statistics Summary Report (DFP).
Public Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 March 2014 (DFP).
5. Assembly Reports
Report on Tackling Social Housing Tenancy Fraud in Northern Ireland (NIA 197/11-16) (Public Accounts Committee).
6. Statutory Rules
S.R. 2014/225 The Health and Personal Social Services (Superannuation), Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DHSSPS).
S.R. 2014/227 The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/230 The Road Traffic Offenders (Additional Offences) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/231 The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) (Offences) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/232 The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/233 The Road Traffic (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014/234 The Road Traffic (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Appropriate Amount) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).
S.R. 2014 236 The Prohibition of Waiting (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD).
S.R. 2014/237 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 DRD).
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Executive’s Response to the Agri-Food Strategy Board’s Going for Growth report (DETI/DARD)
Joint statement by Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Modern Slavery to mark Anti Slavery Day (DOJ)
8. Consultation Documents
Consultation on Guidance on Planning Element of Councillors’ Code of Conduct (DOE).
UK-wide Consultation on Complying with the European Union Third Directive (EU3D) on Driving Licences – 2006/126/EC (DOE).
Research for Better Health and Social Care - Draft for Consultation (DHSSPS).
