Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 Ministerial Appointments

The Speaker informed Members that, on 30 September 2015, Mr Jonathan Bell had taken up the office of Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Simon Hamilton had taken up the office of Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Miss Michelle McIlveen had taken up the office of Minister for Regional Development and that Mr Mervyn Storey had taken up the office of Minister for Social Development.

The Speaker confirmed that the Members affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and confirmed the appointments.

2.2 Ministerial Resignations

The Speaker informed Members that, on 01 October 2015, Mr Jonathan Bell resigned as Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Simon Hamilton resigned as Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Miss Michelle McIlveen resigned as Minister for Regional Development and Mr Mervyn Storey resigned as Minister for Social Development.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 The Death of Brian Friel

Ms Anna Lo, made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the death of Mr Brian Friel. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Gordon Lyons be appointed as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; that Mr Paul Frew replace Mrs Brenda Hale as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; that Mr Ian McCrea replace Mr Tom Buchanan as a member of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development; that Mr Alex Easton replace Mr William Irwin as a member of the Committee for Employment and Learning; that Mr Paul Girvan replace Mr Paul Frew as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment; that Mr William Irwin replace Mr Ian McCrea as a member of the Committee for the Environment; that Mr Gordon Lyons and Mrs Emma Pengelly replace Mr Paul Girvan and Mr Adrian McQuillan as members of the Committee for Finance and Personnel; that Mr Tom Buchanan replace Mr Paul Givan as a member of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; that Mrs Brenda Hale replace Mr Alex Easton as a member of the Committee for Regional Development; that Mr Adrian McQuillan replace Mr Gordon Lyons as a member of the Committee for Social Development; that Mr Edwin Poots replace Mr Adrian McQuillan as a member of the Public Accounts Committee; and that Mr Gordon Dunne replace Mr Tom Buchanan as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow

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

5. Private Members' Business

5.1 Motion – Coroners Service

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the concerns raised publicly around the impending retirement of the senior coroner without a replacement in place; and calls on the Minister of Justice to provide the resources necessary to ensure that our coronial system works in an effective and timely manner.

Mr R McCartney
Mr S Lynch

Debate ensued.

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

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

5.2 Motion – Cancer Services

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the absolute importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer as any unnecessary delays can result in a reduced likelihood of a successful outcome; accepts that cancer targets are set with established medical evidence; further notes that whilst Northern Ireland has become a world leader in cancer research, local waiting times across a range of specialisms have deteriorated to unacceptable levels; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ensure that cancer services are adequately organised, funded and resourced to ensure patient safety is not further compromised.

Mrs J Dobson
Mr M McGimpsey

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness. The junior Minister, Ms Jennifer McCann, also answered a number of questions.

6.2 Enterprise, Trade and Investment

The Speaker informed Members that, as the ministerial office was vacant, Questions to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment could not proceed.

7. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

7.1 Motion – Cancer Services (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.01pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

05 October 2015

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
30 September – 05 October 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

Public Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 March 2015 (DFP).

Northern Ireland Water Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 (DRD).

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Public Services Ombudsperson Bill (NIA 263/11-16) (Ad Hoc Committee to consider the Public Services Ombudsperson Bill).

Third Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules (NIA 266/11-16) (Examiner of Statutory Rules).

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/345 The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Prescribed Police Stations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOJ).

S.R. 2015/347 The Superannuation (Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/348 The Public Service Pensions (Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DFP).

S.R. 2015/351 The Water Framework Directive (Classification, Priority Substances and Shellfish Waters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

For Information Only

S.R. 2014/320 Correction Slip - The Criminal Justice (European Protection Order) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014 (DOJ).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Review of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 (DHSSPS).

Closure of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation to new onshore wind in 2016 (DETI).

Final Regulatory Impact Assessment: Revised Brucellosis Testing Regime Following Attainment of Officially Brucellosis Free (OBF) Status (DARD).

Review of the Level of Statutory Bereavement Damages in Northern Ireland (DOJ).

9. Departmental Publications

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Twenty Ninth Report from the Public Accounts Committee, Mandate 2011-2016 (DFP).

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications