1. Minute of Proceedings
2. Divisions
3. Papers presented to the Assembly
4. Northern Ireland Legislation (Westminister)
5. Northern Ireland Legislation (Assembly)
6. List of Motions (No Day Named)

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

1.1 Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. The Speaker’s Business

2.1 The Speaker clarified procedures on Assembly voting.

2.2 The Speaker delivered a ruling on unparliamentary language.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Motion – Regional Rates Order

Proposed: That the Rates (Regional Rates) (No.2) Order (NI) 2001 be approved.

[Minister of Finance and Personnel]

Following debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division 1).

3.2 Electronic Communications Bill (NIA Bill 9/00)
Final Stage

Deputy Speaker (Sir John Gorman) in the Chair.

Mr Denis Haughey, Junior Minister, moved that the Final Stage of the Electronic Communications Bill (NIA 9/00) be agreed.

After debate NIA Bill 9/00 passed Final Stage.

4. Question Time

4.1 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Rt Hon David Trimble MP and Mr Séamus Mallon MP.

4.2 Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey.

4.3 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mrs Bríd Rodgers.

Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion – Report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure –
Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland

Proposed: That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland and calls on the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to implement the Committee’s recommendations at the earliest opportunity.

[Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure]

Following debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

6. Adjournment

6.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker
20 March 2001

20 MARCH 2001

Regional Rates Order

Proposed: That the Rates (Regional Rates) (No.2) Order (NI) 2001 be approved.

[Minister of Finance and Personnel]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes : 54
Noes : 29

Ian Adamson, Billy Armstrong, Alex Attwood, Roy Beggs, Billy Bell, Esmond Birnie, Joe Byrne, Joan Carson, Fred Cobain, Robert Coulter, Annie Courtney, John Dallat, Ivan Davis, Baírbre De Brun, Mark Durkan, David Ervine, Séan Farren, John Fee, Sam Foster, Tommy Gallagher, John Gorman, Tom Hamilton, Carmel Hanna, Denis Haughey, Joe Hendron, Derek Hussey, Billy Hutchinson, Danny Kennedy, James Leslie, Patricia Lewsley, Alban Maginness, Séamus Mallon, Alex Maskey, David McClarty, Donovan McClelland, Alasdair McDonnell, Barry McElduff, Alan McFarland, Michael McGimpsey, Eddie McGrady, Gerry McHugh, Mitchel McLaughlin, Eugene McMenamin, Francie Molloy, Jane Morrice, Mick Murphy, Mary Nelis, Dara O'Hagan, Eamonn ONeill, Ken Robinson, George Savage, John Tierney, David Trimble, Jim Wilson.

Eileen Bell, Paul Berry, Norman Boyd, Gregory Campbell, Mervyn Carrick, Séamus Close, Wilson Clyde, Nigel Dodds, David Ford, Oliver Gibson, William Hay, David Hilditch, Roger Hutchinson, Gardiner Kane, Kieran McCarthy, Robert McCartney, William McCrea, Maurice Morrow, Ian Paisley Jnr, Ian R K Paisley, Edwin Poots, Iris Robinson, Mark Robinson, Peter Robinson, Patrick Roche, Jim Shannon, Jim Wells, Cedric Wilson, Sammy Wilson.

The Motion was carried.

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
5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Minutes of Evidence: Update on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak (01/00/E)

6. Statutory Rules

(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)

SR No 87 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Controlled Area) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD)

SR No 93 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Controlled Area) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD)

SR No 94 Pensions Increase (Review) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DFP)

SR No 102 The Social Security (Crediting and Treatment of Contributions, and National Insurance Numbers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DSD)

SR No 106 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DSD)

SR No 107 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Dependency) (Permitted Earnings Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DSD)

SR No 108 The Social Security (Benefits for Widows and Widowers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland0 2001 (DSD)

7. Consultation Documents

European Directive on Fixed Term Work – Implementation in Northern Ireland: Public Consultation (DHFETE)

Proposals for a Carer’s and Disabled Children’s Bill: Consultation Document (DHSSPS)

Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations: Statutory Consultation (DRD)

8. Departmental Publications

Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland (DCAL)

Department for Regional Development Equality Scheme

9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications

Combating Electoral Fraud in Northern Ireland (Cm 5080)

SI No 366 The Tax Credits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001

Draft Statutory Instrument: Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Designation of Public Authorities) Order 2001

11. Miscellaneous Publications
12. Assembly Research Papers

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

PROCEEDINGS AS AT 20 MARCH 2001

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:
PROCEEDINGS AS AT 20 MARCH 2001

Items marked † are new or have been altered

First Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges:

‘Inquiry into the Possible Appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards’

That this Assembly approves the findings and conclusions contained in the First Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges: ‘Inquiry into the Possible Appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards’ (01/00/R) and calls for all appropriate arrangements to be put in place by the Assembly Commission, the Speaker’s Office and other relevant Assembly Committees to ensure implementation of the recommendations.

Exclusion of Sinn Féin

This House resolves that Sinn Féin does not enjoy the confidence of the Assembly because it is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means and, therefore, consistent with the Northern Ireland Act 1998, determines that Members of Sinn Féin shall be excluded from holding office as Ministers for a period of 12 months from the date of this resolution.

[Mr C Wilson]
[Mr P Roche]

Mobile Phones

That this Assembly calls upon the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ensure the complete implementation of the recommendations made by the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones as laid out in the Stewart Report and further implement a change in legislation to ensure that no telecommunications masts are constructed within three hundred yards of any dwelling without full public consultation.

[Mr J Shannon]

Local Government Elections

That this Assembly calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to announce that the Local Government elections will take place in May 2001.

[Mr E Poots]

Award to RUC

This Assembly calls for an official Assembly award to be made to the RUC and its reserve in recognition of its officers’ duty, service and bravery in the face of terrorism and crime and for its impartial defence of the entire Northern Ireland community.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]

Fireworks

That this Assembly calls on the Executive to establish an Inter-Departmental Working Group in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office to examine ways in which the nuisance caused by fireworks can be abated.

[Mr K McCarthy]
[Mrs E Bell]

Councillors

That this Assembly calls upon the Minister of the Environment to bring forward proposals to financially reward the long-term contributions of many Councillors and to assess the work of Councillors to ensure that they are financially rewarded at an appropriate level.

[Mr O Gibson]
[Mrs E Bell]

Irish Justice System

That this Assembly notes with concern the failure of the Irish Justice system to resolve the rape/incest case of the daughter of British citizen Sarah Bland.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]

Road Spending Plans

That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Regional Development to explain current road spending plans in the context of the recent publication of the consultation paper ‘Developing a Regional Transportation Strategy’.

[Ms M McWilliams]

Minimum Wage

That this Assembly considers the current minimum wage threshold to be too low and supports a minimum wage level of (at least) £5.00 per hour and calls for the youth exemption contained in the current legislation to be abolished so that the £5.00 per hour rate applies to all.

[Mr B Hutchinson]
[Dr D O’Hagan]

District Council Childcare Facilities

That this Assembly calls on local authorities to set themselves a common objective of providing childcare facilities for elected representatives and staff.

[Ms M Gildernew]

Morning After Pill

That this Assembly regrets the decision of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to sign The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No.3) Order 2000.

[Dr E Birnie]
[Mr A Maginness]

United Christian Broadcasters

That this Assembly supports the award of broadcasting radio licences to United Christian Broadcasters Ltd and welcomes the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on 7 November 2000 placing no restriction on religious bodies applying for and being granted licences for local broadcasting, at the same time this Assembly deplores the decision of the Radio Authority on 26 April 2000 to refuse a local digital multiplex licence for the Northern Ireland region to United Christian Broadcasters.

[Mr G Savage]

Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme

That this Assembly welcomes the achievement of the Department for Social Development in tackling fuel poverty through the existing Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES) and calls on the Minister for Social Development to ensure that the DEES II Scheme will be an effective mechanism to finally eradicate this problem.

[Ms M Gildernew]

Bi-Centenary of the Act of Union 1801

That this Assembly deplores the intention of the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to preside over the commemoration of the Bi-Centenary of the Act of Union 1801.

[Mrs M Nelis]

TG4

That this Assembly calls on the relevant Irish and British Broadcasting Authorities to ensure the complete availability of TG4 throughout Ireland.

[Mr B McElduff]

Alcohol Bye-Laws

That this Assembly believes that current levels of enforcement of alcohol bye-laws are inadequate to address the problem of outdoor drinking; and that increased resources should be made available for the enforcement of the bye-laws and for a province-wide education programme to alert younger people to the dangers of under-age drinking.

[Mrs J Carson]

Morning After Pill

That this Assembly expresses concern at the decision by the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety making the ‘morning after pill’ available to 16 year olds without any debate in the Assembly or the Health Committee, and calls on the Minister to reverse her decision.

[Mrs I Robinson]

Security Policy

That this Assembly calls on Her Majesty’s Government, in the absence of actual decommissioning, to implement an effective security policy to recover all illegal weapons and explosives from the terrorist organisations.

[Mr P Roche]
[Mr N Boyd]

Child Protection

That this Assembly calls on the Ministers responsible for the protection of children, in view of the anomalies in the current vetting system, to take the necessary interim steps to improve the position on vetting those suitable to work with children.

[Ms P Lewsley]

Fluoridation of Drinking Water

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to discontinue the fluoridation of drinking water.

[Mr J Dallat]

Adolescent Psychiatric Services

That this Assembly notes with concern the shortage of adolescent psychiatric services throughout Northern Ireland and urges the Minister of Health to ensure that the key staff are recruited immediately with a view to meeting the community need for this vital service within 2 years in all parts of Northern Ireland.

[Dr A McDonnell]
[Mr E McMenamin]

Traceability Scheme

That this Assembly calls on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to take all steps necessary to ensure the integrity of the Traceability Scheme for Northern Ireland Beef and to investigate the labelling and subsequent sell-on of all beef processed in Northern Ireland Meat Plants.

[Mr G Savage]

Inter-Departmental Working Group

That this Assembly calls on the Executive to establish an Inter-Departmental Working Group to make recommendations on the removal of paramilitary flags, emblems and graffiti from public property.

[Mr K McCarthy]

‘Barriers to Growth and Survival’ Report

That this Assembly notes the Report, ‘Barriers to Growth and Survival’ published by the Federation of Small Businesses in November 2000; and calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to initiate an investigation into the high level of interest charges imposed by banks in Northern Ireland on small businesses.

[Mr B Armstrong]

Audit Office Report

That this Assembly notes the recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on ‘Road Opening by Utilities’ (NIA 35/00), published on 22 February 2001.

[Mr J Kelly]

Social Exclusion of Young People

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Training and Employment to urgently review those policies aimed at reducing the social exclusion of young people in Northern Ireland and to initiate programmes and initiatives which will reduce the number of young people in Northern Ireland entering long-term unemployment.

[Mr J Dallat]

Gender Equality

That this Assembly calls on the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, given the reports of skills shortages in the employment sector, to review training provision for women in Northern Ireland and to promote a more co-ordinated training service to enhance gender equality in the training sector.

[Mrs P Lewsley]

Nursery Schools Admissions

That this Assembly recognises the problems caused by the current admissions criteria for Nursery Schools and calls upon the Minister of Education to review the criteria in order to remove the disadvantage which it causes for working parents.

[Mr S Wilson]

Foot and Mouth Disease

That this Assembly expresses grave concern about the impact of the Foot and Mouth Disease on the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland; calls on the government to provide compensation for those who have suffered loss of livelihood as a consequence, and urges the Northern Ireland Executive to seek substantial and special funding from the Treasury in London to deal with this matter.

[Mr E McGrady MP]

Funding for Childcare Provision

That this Assembly calls upon the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make adequate funding available for all aspects of childcare provision in Northern Ireland.

[Mr J Shannon]
[Mr W Hay]

Hepatitis C

That this Assembly, recognising the plight of those infected with Hepatitis C contracted as a result of health service treatment with contaminated blood products, calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide assurances about the propriety of further treatment to reduce the risks of further infection and further calls on the Minister to seek compensation for those infected during health service treatment.

[Mr J Kelly]
[Ms S Ramsey]

7^th Report of Community Attitudes Survey

That this Assembly welcomes the publication of the 7^th Report of Community Attitudes Survey by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and welcomes its findings that 77% of those surveyed, "believed the police deal fairly with everyone." (Table 2.31, NISRA, Community Attitudes Survey, 7^th Report, December 2000)

[Mr R Beggs]
[Mr S Neeson]

Terrorist Attacks on Northern Ireland Railways

That this Assembly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks on the railway infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland.

[Mr W Hay]
[Mr J Wells]

Allocation of Schools Capital Spending

That this Assembly disapproves of the unbalanced and party political allocation of schools capital spending announced in February 2001 by the Minister of Education.

[Mr S Wilson]

Award to UDR

That this Assembly calls for an official Assembly award to be made to the UDR in recognition of its members’ duty, service, bravery and courage in the face of unrelenting terrorism and crime in Northern Ireland and for its defence of the entire community.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]

Sellafield Nuclear Plant

That this Assembly calls for the run-down and closure at the earliest possible date of nuclear processing activities carried out at Sellafield.

[Mr K McCarthy]

Single European Currency

That this Assembly supports the calling of debate early in the next parliament, on the UK’s membership of the single European currency once the economic conditions, as defined by the current Chancellor, Gordon Brown are right; and congratulates the European Movement and the Young European Movement on their efforts to generate interest in these issues.

[Ms J Morrice]