Order Paper

The Assembly to sit at noon.

Indicative Timings for the Order of Business

1. Prayers

2. Public Petition

Campaign to keep open the University of Ulster Day Nurseries

Mr P Ramsey

3. Executive Committee Business

Motion: The Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013

Proposed:

That the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 be approved.

Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

4. Question Time

4.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
4.2 Environment

5. Private Members' Business

Motion: Repeal of the Exception for Teachers in the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that the exception in fair employment law allowing discrimination on the grounds of religious belief when appointing teachers is now over 35 years old; further notes that -

the same exemption, uniquely written into European anti-discrimination employment law (Directive 2000/78/EC), suggests that it is designed to further "the reconciliation of historical divisions";

the Equality Commission recommendation for its withdrawal in 2004, in respect of secondary school appointments, and earlier in its entirety, has not been put into effect, nor has any proposed monitoring been introduced;

the Department of Education's Equal Opportunities Policy for Teachers (TNC 2009/2) now prohibits controlled schools from so discriminating; and

calls on the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to repeal the exception to ensure equal opportunity and that school teaching staff reflect our religious and ethnic diversity.

Mr D Kinahan
Mrs J Dobson

Motion: Special Needs Provision

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the lack of provision for individuals with severe learning difficulties leaving Special Needs education at 19 years of age; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to expand the provision of support staff and develop the assistance needed to encourage the uptake of further education and training, thereby allowing more engagement with society.

Mr P Weir
Lord Morrow

6. Adjournment