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 Functions of the First Minister

The Speaker informed Members that, pursuant to section 16A(11) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Mrs Arlene Foster, Minister of Finance and Personnel, had been designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister, effective from 10 September 2015.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement – Launch of the Higher Education Big Conversation

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, made a statement regarding the launch of the Higher Education Big Conversation, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 Second Stage – Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill (NIA Bill 56/11-16)

The Speaker informed Members that, as the Second Stage of the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill (NIA Bill 56/11-16) was listed in the name of the Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment and as the ministerial office was vacant, the item of business could not be moved.

3.3 Further Consideration Stage – Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16)

The Speaker informed Members that, as the Further Consideration Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16) was listed in the name of the Minister of Enterprise Trade and Investment and as the ministerial office was vacant, the item of business could not be moved.

4. Private Members' Business

4.1 Motion – Crisis in Waiting Times

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that in June 2015 there were 373,000 people waiting for a first outpatient appointment, a diagnostic test or inpatient treatment at hospitals in Northern Ireland and that this is equivalent to over 20% of the entire population; expresses concern that waiting times are now worse than at any time in recent history and that far too many people are having to wait in pain and under emotional distress for far too long; accepts that targets are set in the interests of quality and safety of patient care and that with every delay there is a risk of ailments progressing; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to work with each of the Health and Social Care Trusts to identify and resolve the causes of the delays.

Mrs J Dobson
Mr M McGimpsey

4.2 Amendment

Proposed:

Insert at end:

';and further calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to take immediate action to alleviate current pressures and to fully implement and fund the Transforming Your Care plan to ameliorate future pressures.'

Mr F McKinney
Mrs K McKevitt

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair

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 12.36pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Education

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

5.2 Employment and Learning

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) took the Chair.

6. Adjournment

Ms Bronwyn McGahan spoke to her topic regarding the future of rural childcare in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.02pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

15 September 2015

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
15 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

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Resource Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2015 (DHSSPS).

HSC Pension Scheme Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 (DHSSPS).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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 16 September 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.