Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 10 October 2016

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Matter of the Day

2.1 Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Aleppo

Mr Alex Attwood made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Aleppo. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Public Petition

3.1 Public Petition – Survival of General Practice in Northern Ireland

Ms Paula Bradley was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition regarding the Survival of General Practice in Northern Ireland.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

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

5. Private Members' Business

5.1 Motion: Reclassification of Housing Associations

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the likelihood that the Office for National Statistics will reclassify Northern Ireland's twenty-two housing associations from independent social businesses to public bodies; that this may limit their ability to access private finance to build new homes; that the £1 billion of private debt already on their books could be added to the Executive's balance sheet, taking the Executive's total borrowing to levels which would reduce drastically its ability to borrow money for other initiatives across the Executive Departments; and calls on the Minister for Communities to prepare to bring forward urgent legislation to reverse the reclassification of Northern Ireland housing associations so that they can remain classified as independent social businesses.

Mr A Allen
Mrs J Palmer
Mr P Smith

5.2 Motion: Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'notes' and insert:

'the decision by the Office for National Statistics to reclassify Northern Ireland's twenty-two housing associations from independent social businesses to public bodies; recognises that this will have a significant impact on housing associations and their ability to provide new social and shared ownership homes; further notes that this decision will add nearly £1 billion of housing association debt to the Northern Ireland Executive's balance sheet, seriously impacting on the Executive's ability to borrow money for other initiatives across the Executive Departments; and calls on the Minister for Communities and Minster of Finance to expedite the steps necessary to reverse this reclassification; and agree quickly an interim derogation arrangement with HM Treasury to enable the sector to continue to function normally, to engage closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to agree a joined-up approach, and to outline a clear and detailed timeline for specific action, including bringing forward legislation, within the timeframe that any HM Treasury derogation allows, to ensure Northern Ireland's housing associations can remain classified as independent social businesses.'

Mr C Eastwood
Ms N Mallon
Mr A Allen
Mr P Smith

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Principal Deputy Speaker (Ms Ruane) took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mrs Michelle O'Neill.

6.2 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Paul Givan.

7. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

7.1 Motion: Reclassification of Housing Associations (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Kennedy) 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.

7.2 Motion: Growing Northern Ireland Exports

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the recent Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs' export data for Northern Ireland which records a growth rate of 9.5 per cent; notes the Executive's commitment to increase the competitiveness of the economy; recognises the opportunities that the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union presents to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.

Mr G Lyons
Mr T Buchanan
Mr M Storey
Mr G Dunne

7.3 Motion: Amendment 1

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'economy,' and insert:

'recognises the importance of Northern Ireland continuing to participate within the European Single Market to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.'

Dr S Farry
Mrs N Long
Mr D Ford
Mr S Dickson

7.4 Motion: Amendment 2

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'economy,' and insert:

'recognises that the result of the referendum on membership of the European Union has significant implications for businesses; calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of an economic strategy to achieve long term, sustainable and socially balanced economic growth; and further calls on the Minister, in recognising the unique circumstances on this island, to work with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure cross border trade and freedom of movement continue uninhibited.'

Ms C Archibald
Mr J O'Dowd
Mr C Murphy
Mr A Maskey

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, Amendment 1 was made (Division 1).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 2).

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.02pm.

Mr Robin Newton
The Speaker

10 October 2016

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 October 2016
Division 1

Motion – Growing Northern Ireland Exports (Amendment 1)

Proposed:

Leave out all after 'economy,' and insert:

'recognises the importance of Northern Ireland continuing to participate within the European Single Market to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.'

Dr S Farry
Mrs N Long
Mr D Ford
Mr S Dickson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 46
Noes: 30

AYES

Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mr Attwood, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Mrs Dobson, Dr Farry, Ms Fearon, Mr Ford, Ms Gildernew, Ms Hanna, Mr Kearney, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McKee, Mr McMullan, Ms Mallon, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Sheehan, Mr Smith, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Armstrong, Mr Dickson.

NOES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs Little Pengelly, Ms Lockhart, Mr Lyons, Mr McCausland, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Lyons, Mr Robinson.

The Amendment was made.

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 October 2016
Division 2

Motion – Growing Northern Ireland Exports (as amended)

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the recent Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs' export data for Northern Ireland which records a growth rate of 9.5 per cent; notes the Executive's commitment to increase the competitiveness of the economy; recognises the importance of Northern Ireland continuing to participate within the European Single Market to improve external sales; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key part of the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 46
Noes: 30

AYES

Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms Archibald, Ms Armstrong, Mr Attwood, Mrs Barton, Mr Beggs, Mr Boylan, Ms S Bradley, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Ms Dillon, Mrs Dobson, Dr Farry, Ms Fearon, Mr Ford, Ms Gildernew, Ms Hanna, Mr Kearney, Mrs Long, Mr Lynch, Mr Lyttle, Mr McAleer, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McKee, Mr McMullan, Ms Mallon, Mr Maskey, Mr Milne, Mr Mullan, Mr Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó Muilleoir, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mrs Overend, Mr Sheehan, Mr Smith, Mr Swann.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Armstrong, Mr Dickson.

NOES

Mr Agnew, Mr Allister, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mr Hamilton, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs Little Pengelly, Ms Lockhart, Mr Lyons, Mr McCausland, Mr Middleton, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Lyons, Mr Robinson.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
5 October 2016 – 10 October 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

Human Rights Guidance for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Public Prosecution Service and Forensic Science Northern Ireland on Human Rights Standards Relevant to Co-operation and Operational Independence by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland (DoJ).

Planning and Water Appeals Commissions: Annual Report of the Chief Commissioner 2015-16 (DoJ).

Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016 (TEO).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2016/354 The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfE).

SR 2016/365 The Remuneration of the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoH).

SR 2016/369 The Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfE).

SR 2016/370 The Derriaghy Road, Lisburn (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/371 The A1 Hillsborough Road (between Hillsborough Roundabout and Pantridge Link), Hillsborough (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/372 The Route F1403 Footpath between Ashdene Park, Taghnevan and Tullygally East Road, Craigavon (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/000 Draft The Food Hygiene Rating (Fees and Fixed Penalty Amount) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoH).

SR 2016/000 Draft The Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfE).

SR 2016/000 Draft The Welfare Supplementary Payment (Benefit Cap) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfC).

For Information Only

(C.27) SR 2016/355 The Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (2003 Order) (Commencement No.6 and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoH).

SR 2016/367 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Mossley) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/368 The Bus Lanes (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

Northern Ireland Planning Statistics 2016/17: First Quarterly Bulletin (Provisional) (DfI).

Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy to 2020 Annual Statistical Report 2016 (DfI).

Travel Survey for Northern Ireland In-depth Report 2013-15 (DfI).

Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2015-16 (DfI).

The Northern Ireland Public Sector Voluntary Exit Schemes (NIAO).

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

 

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