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 Member Resignation

The Speaker informed Members that Mr Jimmy Spratt resigned as a Member of the Assembly with effect from 28 September 2015. The Speaker advised that the Speaker's Office had notified the Chief Electoral Officer, in accordance with section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

2.2 New Member

The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer that
Mrs Emma Pengelly had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the South Belfast constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Mr Jimmy Spratt.

Mrs Pengelly signed the Roll of Membership on 28 September 2015 in the presence of the Speaker, and the Clerk to the Assembly. The Speaker confirmed that Mrs Pengelly had signed the Roll and had entered her designation of identity.

2.3 Ministerial Appointments

The Speaker informed Members that, on 23 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.

2.4 Ministerial Resignations

The Speaker informed Members that, on 24 September 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.

2.5 Ministerial Appointment

The Speaker informed Members that, on 28 September 2015, Mr Jonathan Bell had taken up the office of Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

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

3. Public Petition

3.1 Public Petition – To stop individuals convicted of terrorist-related offences committed before 1998 from being granted day release any time during their subsequent two year sentence

Mrs Sandra Overend was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition to stop individuals convicted of terrorist-related offences, committed before 1998, from being granted day release any time during their subsequent two year sentence.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion – Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Andrew Allen be appointed as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Mr R Swann
Mrs S Overend

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

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Statement – Supporting Change – A Strategic Approach to Desistance

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding a strategic approach to desistance, following which he replied to questions.

5.2 Further Consideration Stage – Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 54/11-16)

The Speaker informed Members that, as the Consideration Stage of the Pension Schemes Bill (NIA Bill 54/11-16) had not been completed, the item of business could not be moved.

5.3 Motion – The draft Renewables Obligation Closure Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Proposed:

That the draft Renewables Obligation Closure Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be approved.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

6. Committee Business

6.1 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage: Environmental Better Regulation Bill (NIA Bill 55/11-16)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 27 November 2015, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Environmental Better Regulation Bill (NIA Bill 55/11-16).

Chairperson, Committee for the Environment

Debate ensued.

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

6.2 Motion – Report on the Inquiry into Building a United Community (NIA 257/11-16)

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Report of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (NIA 257/11-16) on its Inquiry into Building a United Community; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister, along with their Executive colleagues, to implement the recommendations contained in the report.

Chairperson, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

7. Question Time

7.1 Health, Social Services and Public Safety

The Speaker informed Members that, as the ministerial office was vacant, Questions to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety could not proceed.

8. Assembly Business (cont'd)

8.1 Motion – Suspension of Standing Order 20(1)

Proposed:

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for the 28th September 2015.

Mr P Weir
Ms C Ruane
Mr P Ramsey
Mr R Swann
Mr S Dickson

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.

9. Committee Business (cont'd)

9.1 Motion – Report on the Inquiry into Building a United Community (NIA 257/11-16) (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

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

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

9.2 Motion – 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games Bid

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the motion, unanimously endorsed in November 2014, supporting a bid for Northern Ireland to host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games; further notes that the deadline to bid for these Games is the end of September 2015; recognises that Northern Ireland is well-placed to bid successfully for the Games; further recognises the benefits that hosting the Games will bring, such as increased tourism, building on the successes of the World Police and Fire Games and Giro d'Italia, the opportunity for our best young athletes to experience world-class competition and to excel, and putting Northern Ireland at the forefront of international sport; and calls on all Members to exert their influence to ensure that a bid is made.

Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for the continuation of Question Time.

10. Question Time (cont'd)

10.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

11. Committee Business (cont'd)

11.1 Motion – 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games Bid (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

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

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.54pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

28 September 2015

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
23 September – 28 September 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

Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee Annual Report and Accounts 2014/2015 (DOE).

Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, Annual Report and Statement of Accounts 1 April 2014 - 31 March 2015 (DETI).

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 (OFMDFM).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/332 The Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DARD).

S.R. 2015/341 The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Constitution) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DE).

S.R. 2015/344 The Planning (Hazardous Substances) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DOE).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/329 (C.28) The Pensions (2015 Act) (Commencement No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DSD).

S.R. 2015/340 The Brucellosis (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DARD).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland: Planning for Sustainable Development. (DOE).

8. Consultation Documents

Draft Guidance on the Identification and Designation of Quiet Areas (DOE).

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Audit Office, The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIAO).