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 – British Irish Council Social Inclusion Work Sector

The junior Minister, Mr Bell, made a statement regarding the British Irish Council Social Inclusion Work Sector, following which he replied to questions.

2.2 Statement – North South Ministerial Council meeting held in Agriculture Sectoral format

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O’Neill, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting held in Agriculture Sectoral format, following which she replied to questions.

2.3 Consideration Stage – Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16)

The Minister for Social Development, Mr Mervyn Storey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Pensions Bill.

6 amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 24 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 25 to 32 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 33 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 33, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 34 to 49 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 50 to 54 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedules 1 to 11 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Schedule 12 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 12, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedules 13 to 16 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Schedule 17 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Schedule 17 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Schedule 17 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 17, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 6 to Schedule 18 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 18, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedules 19 to 20 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, it was agreed without division that the Long Title stand part of the Bill.

Bill NIA 42/11-16 stood referred to the Speaker.

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Motion – Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern that men outnumber women by nearly three to one in high level science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) posts; welcomes the statement by the Minister for Employment and Learning on 4 June 2013 reiterating the importance of women in STEM sectors; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning, in conjunction with his Executive colleagues, to publish a strategy and action plan that addresses specifically the issue of gender imbalance in the STEM sectors.

Ms B McGahan
Mr F McCann
Mr P Flanagan

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.31pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.

4.2 Education

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

5. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion – Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the motion.

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

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

6. Adjournment

Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson spoke to her topic regarding the future of neighbourhood policing across Upper Bann.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.44pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker
24 March 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 24 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. 2015/174 The Certificates of Alternative Development Value Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/175 The Planning (Avian Influenza) (Special Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/176 The Planning General (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

S.R. 2015/177 Planning (Conservation Areas) (Consultation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

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 25 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.