Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Executive Committee Business

2.1  Statement – North South Ministerial Council Institutional meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council Institutional meeting held in Stormont Castle on 25 February 2015, following which he replied to questions.

2.2  Statement – Future Delivery Model for Congenital Cardiac Services for the Population of Northern Ireland

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Jim Wells, made a statement regarding the future delivery model for congenital cardiac services for the population of Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

3.    Committee Business

3.1  Motion – Report on Inquiry into Wind Energy in Northern Ireland (NIA 226/11-16)

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves the report of the Committee for the Environment (NIA 226/11-16) on its Inquiry into Wind Energy in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of the Environment to implement the recommendations contained in the report.

Chairperson, Committee for the Environment

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.32pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

4.    Question Time

4.1  Employment and Learning

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

4.2  Enterprise, Trade and Investment

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

5.    Committee Business (cont’d)

5.1  Motion – Report on Inquiry into Wind Energy in Northern Ireland (NIA 226/11-16) (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

The Speaker took the Chair.

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

6.    Private Members’ Business

6.1  Motion – McCreesh Park

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern at the decision by Newry and Mourne District Council to approve again the naming of the Patrick Street Play Park in Newry after convicted IRA terrorist Raymond McCreesh; notes that the vote was taken prior to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland making a final formal ruling on the matter; further notes the seemingly lethargic approach of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in pursuing this case; and calls on the Minister of the Environment to respond to the vote in light of the requirement for councillors to act in a way that promotes good relations by providing a positive example for the wider community to follow and, crucially, acting in the interest of the whole community.

Mr W Irwin
Mr N McCausland

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division).

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

7.    Adjournment

Mr Oliver McMullan spoke to his topic regarding the development and investment of industry in the East Antrim coastal corridor.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Principal Deputy Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.07pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

The Speaker

03 March 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

03 March 2015      
Division

Motion – McCreesh Park

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern at the decision by Newry and Mourne District Council to approve again the naming of the Patrick Street Play Park in Newry after convicted IRA terrorist Raymond McCreesh; notes that the vote was taken prior to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland making a final formal ruling on the matter; further notes the seemingly lethargic approach of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in pursuing this case; and calls on the Minister of the Environment to respond to the vote in light of the requirement for councillors to act in a way that promotes good relations by providing a positive example for the wider community to follow and, crucially, acting in the interest of the whole community.

Mr W Irwin
Mr N McCausland

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 65
Noes: 26

AYES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Dallat, Mr Devenney, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Durkan, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McGlone, Miss M McIlveen, Mrs McKevitt, Mr McKinney, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Mr A Maginness, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mr Rogers, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McQuillan, Mr G Robinson.

NOES

Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Ms Fearon, Mr Flanagan, Mr Hazzard, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr McAleer, Mr F 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.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McCartney, Ms Ruane.

The motion was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
03 March 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

5.    Assembly Reports

6.    Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/111 The Social Security Revaluation of Earnings Factors Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

S.R. 2015/112 The Social Security Pensions (Low Earnings Threshold) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

S.R. 2015/113 The Police Pension Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

7.    Written Ministerial Statements

8.    Consultation Documents

9.    Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11.  Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 4 March 2015

2011-2016 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2016 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage

** Please note that any bills that received Royal Assent in the previous session have been removed from the table.