Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 Member Resignation

The Speaker informed Members that Ms Jennifer McCann resigned as a Member of the Assembly with effect from 6 December 2016. 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 Ms Órlaithí Flynn had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the West Belfast constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Ms Jennifer McCann.

Ms Flynn signed the undertaking, as provided for in the Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan) Act 2016, and the Roll of Membership on 7 December 2016 in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk to the Assembly. The Speaker confirmed that Ms Flynn had signed the undertaking and then the Roll and had entered her designation of identity.

The sitting was suspended at 10.36am.

The sitting resumed at 11.03am, with the Speaker in the Chair.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement: The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

The First Minister, the Rt. Hon Arlene Foster, made a statement regarding the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, following which she replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 12.07pm.

The sitting resumed at 1.00pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

Proposed:

That this Assembly, in accordance with section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that the First Minister no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly and that she be excluded from holding office as a Minister or junior Minister for a period of six months because of her failure to observe the terms of paragraph (g) of the Pledge of Office and the first paragraph of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, in that she failed to observe the highest standards of propriety and regularity in relation to the stewardship of public funds surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

Mr C Eastwood
Mr M Nesbitt
Mrs N Long
Mr S Agnew 

Debate ensued.

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was negatived on a cross-community vote. (Division).

5. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.16pm.

Mr Robin Newton
The Speaker

19 December 2016

Northern Ireland Assembly

19 December 2016
Division 1

Motion: Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

Proposed:

That this Assembly, in accordance with section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that the First Minister no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly and that she be excluded from holding office as a Minister or junior Minister for a period of six months because of her failure to observe the terms of paragraph (g) of the Pledge of Office and the first paragraph of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, in that she failed to observe the highest standards of propriety and regularity in relation to the stewardship of public funds surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme.

Mr C Eastwood
Mr M Nesbitt
Mrs N Long
Mr S Agnew

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 39
Noes: 36

AYES

Nationalist

Mr Attwood, Ms S Bradley, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Ms Hanna, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McNulty, Mr McPhillips, Ms Mallon, Mr Mullan.

Unionist

Mr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Allister, Mrs Barton, Mr Beattie, Mr Beggs, Mr Chambers, Mrs Dobson, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Mr McKee, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mrs Palmer, Mr Smith.

Other

Mr Agnew, Ms Armstrong, Ms Bailey, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr E McCann.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Aiken, Mr McNulty.

NOES

Unionist

Mr Anderson, Mr M Bradley, Ms P Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Irwin, Mrs Little Pengelly, Ms Lockhart, Mr Logan, Mr Lyons, Mr McCausland, Miss McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Mr Middleton, Lord Morrow, Mr Poots, Mr Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Stalford, Mr Storey, Ms Sugden, Mr Weir, Mr Wells

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McQuillan, Mr Robinson.

Total Votes            75           Total Ayes           39 [52.0%]

Nationalist Votes   12           Nationalist Ayes  12 [100.0%]

Unionist Votes       51           Unionist Ayes      15 [29.4%]

Other Votes            12           Other Ayes          12 [100.0%]

The motion was negatived by cross-community vote.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly between
7 – 19 December 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

Safefood Annual Report 2015 (DoH).

Coronial Processes: An inspection of the arrangements in place in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to manage and disclose information in support of the Coronial process in Northern Ireland (DoJ).

Report on the British Wool Marketing Board Agricultural Marketing Scheme 2014-15 (DAERA).

Report on the British Wool Marketing Board Agricultural Marketing Scheme 2015-16 (DAERA).

Belfast Metropolitan College Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015-16 (DfE).

Northern Regional College Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16 (DfE).

North West Regional College Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2016 (DfE).

South Eastern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016 (DfE).

Southern Regional College Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2016 (DfE).

South West College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2016 (DfE).

Improving Pupil Attendance Strategy (DE).

Land and Property Services Trust Statement – Rate Levy Accruals Account Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16 (DoF).

Special EU Programmes Body Annual Report and Accounts 2015 (DoF).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

SR 2016/409 The Social Security (Credits, and Crediting and Treatment of Contributions) (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfC).

SR 2016/423 The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfC).

SR 2016/426 The Court of Judicature Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoJ).

SR 2017/000 Draft The Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (Single Jurisdiction) (Consequential Amendments) Order (Northern Ireland) 2017 (DoJ).

For Information Only

SR 2016/421 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/428 The Waiting Restrictions (Ballynure) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/429 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

SR 2016/430 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) No.5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DfI).

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Ballynahinch Bypass - Publication of Formal "Environmental Statement - Notice to Proceed" and Making of the Direction Order (DfI).

Reform of Financial Assistance for People Infected or Otherwise Affected by Contaminated NHS Blood or Blood Products (DoH).

8. Consultation Documents

Consultation on the Zoonoses (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (DAERA).

2017 Review of Bathing Waters in Northern Ireland (DAERA).

Review of Permitted Development Rights for Mineral Exploration (DfI).

Proposals to seek reversal of the reclassification of Registered Social Housing Providers in Northern Ireland - Public Consultation (DfC).

9. Departmental Publications

Northern Ireland Screen Commission Strategic Report, Directors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2016 (DfC).

Strategic Investment Board Limited Annual Review and Financial Statements 2015-2016 (TEO).

DfI Driver, Vehicle, Operator Enforcement Statistics Quarter Two – 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2016 (DfI).

Northern Ireland Planning Statistics 2016/17 Second Quarterly Statistical Bulletin – 1 July to 30 September 2016 (DfI).

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications