Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement – Children in the Justice System: A Scoping Study and an Update on the Sentencing Framework

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement on Children in the Justice System: A Scoping Study and an Update on the Sentencing Framework, following which he replied to questions.

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Motion – Interactive Map-based Register of Defibrillators

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to conduct a feasibility study into the potential for an interactive map-based register of defibrillators across the range of service providers within her Department, including arm's-length bodies; and further calls on the Minister to bring the findings from the feasibility study to the Executive, to ensure compatibility with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service systems.

Mr O McMullan
Ms R McCorley
Mr C Ó hOisín

3.2 Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Leisure’ and insert:

‘in conjunction with her Executive colleagues, to conduct a feasibility study into the potential for an interactive map-based register of defibrillators across all Departments, including arm's-length bodies; and further calls on the Executive to devise a strategy that will see an increase in provision of defibrillators in public buildings and to ensure compatibility with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service systems.’

Mrs K McKevitt
Mr D Bradley

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.22pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Regional Development

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

4.2 Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

5. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion – Tourism VAT

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the decision by the Government of Ireland to retain a reduced rate of VAT on tourism and hospitality; further notes that this is a practice in many EU countries; recognises the potential of this measure to significantly boost the Northern Ireland tourism industry; and calls on the Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment and the Minister of Finance and Personnel to undertake a report into those benefits for presentation to the UK Treasury.

Mr P McGlone
Mrs K McKevitt
Mr S Rogers

Debate ensued.

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

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

6. Adjournment

Ms Bronwyn McGahan spoke to her topic regarding the lack of age-appropriate respite provision in South Tyrone.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.11pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker
19 May 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
19 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

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/XX The Marine Conservation (Fixed Monetary Penalties) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/250 The Taxis (Lisburn) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/251 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/252 The Footways (Prohibition of Waiting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

New arrangements for the future support of Independent Living Fund users in Northern Ireland. (DHSSPS).

8. Consultation Documents

Proposals for draft Legislation on Financial Penalties, Collection and Enforcement: Equality Assessment and Regulatory Impact Assessment (DOJ).

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 20 May 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.