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. Speaker's Business

2.1 End of Mandate

The Speaker made some remarks to mark the end of the Assembly mandate. Party representatives and other members also spoke.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Consideration of business not concluded on Monday 14 March 2016

The Speaker informed the Assembly that all business listed on the Order Paper for 14 March 2016 was concluded.

3.2 Motion – Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme 2016

Proposed:

That, as set out in section 2(4) of the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Act (Northern Ireland) 2000, this Assembly approves the revised scheme NIA 329/11-16 laid before the Assembly on 8 March 2016 for payments to political parties for the purpose of assisting Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly who are connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties.

Ms P Bradley
Ms C Ruane
Mrs K McKevitt
Mr S Gardiner
Mrs J Cochrane

Debate ensued.

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

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement – Initiation of Sign Language Legislation Process

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, made a statement regarding the consultation on a framework for promoting sign language including proposals for legislation, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Statement – Proposals for an Ulster-Scots Academy and an Irish Language Academy

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, made a statement regarding proposals for an Ulster-Scots academy and an Irish language academy, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

4.3 Motion – The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016

Proposed:

That the Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 be affirmed.

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

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

4.4 Motion – The Ministerial Offices (Number and Functions) Determination 2016

Proposed:

That the Ministerial Offices (Number and Functions) Determination 2016 be approved.

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

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

4.5 Legislative Consent Motion – Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that the Westminster Parliament should consider the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 10 February 2016, dealing with the power in clause 1(4) of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, acting jointly, to nominate two members of the Independent Reporting Commission; and the establishment of new measures relating to the financial responsibility of the Assembly contained in clause 9.

Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Miss Michelle McIlveen.

5.2 Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, the Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley.

5.3 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont'd)

6.1 Legislative Consent Motion – Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Bill (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

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

6.2 Final Stage – Fisheries Bill (NIA Bill 74/11-16)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Michelle O'Neill, moved that the Final Stage of the Fisheries Bill (NIA Bill 74/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Fisheries Bill (NIA Bill 74/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.3 Final Stage – Addressing Bullying in Schools Bill (NIA Bill 71/11-16)

The Minister of Education, Mr John O'Dowd, moved that the Final Stage of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Bill (NIA Bill 71/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Addressing Bullying in Schools Bill (NIA Bill 71/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.4 Final Stage – Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill (NIA Bill 60/11-16)

The Minister for Social Development, the Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley, moved that the Final Stage of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill (NIA Bill 60/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill (NIA Bill 60/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.5 Final Stage – Mental Capacity Bill (NIA Bill 49/11-16)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Simon Hamilton, moved that the Final Stage of the Mental Capacity Bill (NIA Bill 49/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair.

The Mental Capacity Bill (NIA Bill 49/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.6 Final Stage – Health and Personal Social Services (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 68/11-16)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Simon Hamilton, moved that the Final Stage of the Health and Personal Social Services (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 68/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Health and Personal Social Services (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 68/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.7 Final Stage – Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 72/11-16)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Simon Hamilton, moved that the Final Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 72/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Speaker in the Chair.

The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 72/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.8 Final Stage – Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 78/11-16)

The Minister for Regional Development, Miss Michelle McIlveen, moved that the Final Stage of the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 78/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 78/11-16) passed Final Stage.

6.9 Motion – The Draft Renewables Obligation Closure Order (Northern Ireland) 2016

Proposed:

That the draft Renewables Obligation Closure Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 be approved.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Debate ensued.

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

7. Private Members' Business

7.1 Final Stage – Licensing Bill (NIA Bill 69/11-16)

Mrs Judith Cochrane, sponsor of the Bill, moved that the Final Stage of the Licensing Bill (NIA Bill 69/11-16) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Licensing Bill (NIA Bill 69/11-16) passed Final Stage.

8. Executive Committee Business

8.1 Statement – Death in Service of Prison Officer Adrian Ismay

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement regarding the death in service of Prison Officer Adrian Ismay, following which he replied to questions.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 9.07pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

15 March 2016

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
15 March 2016

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 Legal Services Commission Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 (DOJ).

Registry of Credit Unions and Industrial and Provident Societies Annual Report 2014/15 (DETI).

Insolvency Service Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 (DETI).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

S.R. 2016/104 The Health and Social Care (Disciplinary Procedures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DHSSPS).

S.R. 2016/106 The Pensions (2015 Act) (Savings) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DSD).

S.R. 2016/162 The Pensions (2015 Act) (Contributions Equivalent Premium) (Consequential Provision) and (Savings) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DSD).

S.R. 2016/163 The Health Service Workers (Consequential Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DHSSPS).

S.R. 2016/165 The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DSD).

For Information Only

S.R. 2016/151 The Loading Bays and Parking Places on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DRD).

S.R. 2016/152 (C.9) The Water and Sewerage Services (2006 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DRD).

S.R. 2016/153 The Parking Places on Roads (Motor Cycles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DRD).

S.R. 2016/157 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Omagh) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DRD).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Major Capital Projects to be Advanced in Planning (DE).

8. Consultation Documents

Proposed Increase to Court Fees (DOJ).

Sign Language Framework with Proposals for Legislation (DCAL).

9. Departmental Publications

Learning Leaders: A Strategy for Teacher Professional Learning (DE).

Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland: A Seven Year Strategy (DOJ & DHSSPS).

Call for Evidence - Permitted Development Rights for Mineral Exploration (DOE).

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 16 March 2016

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.