Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Speaker’s Business

The Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker’s Office had received a letter from Ms Sue Ramsey resigning as a Member of the Assembly with effect from Monday 03 November 2014. The Deputy Speaker advised that the Speaker’s Office had notified the Chief Electoral Officer, in accordance with Section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3.    Executive Committee Business

3.1   Statement – North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting, held on 3 October 2014, following which he replied to questions.

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

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to insolvency; and for connected purposes.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA 39/11-16) passed First Stage and ordered to be printed.

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

4.   Private Members’ Business

4.1  Motion – Roads Maintenance

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the failure of the Department for Regional Development to adequately fund the roads infrastructure maintenance budget; further notes that this lack of funding will result in job losses or reduced working hours for contractors and suppliers; calls on the Minister for Regional Development to assess forensically his departmental budgets to highlight areas of non-essential spending where savings can be made; and further calls on the Minister for Regional Development to work with his Executive colleagues to institute a comprehensive annual budget process which provides a more transparent breakdown of the allocation of resources.

Mr J Dallat
Mr J Byrne
Mr P McGlone

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.31pm.

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

5.  Question Time

5.1       Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O’Dowd.

5.2       Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy.

6.   Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

6.1  Motion – Funding Crisis in Victims and Survivors Service 

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the current funding crisis being faced by the Victims and Survivors Service; recognises the grave concern that this is causing for many victims, survivors and support groups, leading to some of them having to close, and the genuine hardships being faced by many victims as a result; and calls on the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to take urgent action to alleviate this situation.

Mr M Nesbitt
Mr L Cree

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

7.    Adjournment

Mr Seán Rogers spoke to his topic regarding jobs in South Down.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Principal Deputy Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.49pm

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA

Principal Deputy Speaker

07 October 2014

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
07 October 2014

1.  Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2.  Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Insolvency (Amendment) Bill NIA 39/11-16 (DETI).

3.  Orders in Council

4.  Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5.  Assembly Reports

6.  Statutory Rules

S. R. 2014/249 The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE).

S. R. 2014/XXX The Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (Amendment of section 46(1)) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOJ)

For Information Only

S.R. 2014/238 The Taxis (2008 Act) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DOE)

S. R. 2014/254 The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (DRD)

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 8 October 2014

2011-2015 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2015 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.