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1. Minute of Proceedings No. 51/00 MONDAY 21 MAY 2001 The Assembly met at 12.00 noon, the Speaker in the Chair 1. Personal Prayer or Meditation 1.1 Members observed two minutes’ silence. 2. Personal Statement 2.1 Mr Cedric Wilson made a personal statement. 3. Executive Committee Business 3.1 Defective Premises (Landlord’s Liability) Bill (NIA Bill 5/00) Final Stage Mr Mark Durkan, Minister of Finance and Personnel, moved that the Final Stage of the Defective Premises (Landlord’s Liability) Bill (NIA Bill 5/00) be agreed. After debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. NIA Bill 5/00 passed Final Stage. 3.2 Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Bill (NIA Bill 8/00) Final Stage Ms Baírbre de Brún, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, moved that the Final Stage of the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Bill (NIA Bill 8/00) be agreed. After debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. NIA Bill 8/00 passed Final Stage. 3.3 Motion – Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution Proposed: That the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Following debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. 3.4 Motion – Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution Proposed: That the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Following debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. 3.5 Motion – Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution Proposed: That the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims: Consequential Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. 3.6 Motion – Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution Proposed: That the Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair. 3.7 Motion – Soccer Strategy Proposed: That this Assembly notes the publication of the report "Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland – views of the stakeholders" and notes the progress made on the development of the Strategy. [Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure] Following debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 2.13 pm. The Sitting resumed at 2.30 pm. Deputy Speaker (Sir John Gorman) in the Chair. 4. Question Time 4.1 Minister of Education Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness MP. 4.2 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Ms Baírbre de Brún. 4.3 Minister of Finance and Personnel Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Mr Mark Durkan. 5. Adjournment 5.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn. [The Speaker] The Assembly adjourned at 4.08 pm. THE LORD ALDERDICE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY
Family Law Bill (as amended at Consideration Stage) (NIA Bill 4/00) Game Preservation (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 15/00) Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland and Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland Annual Report 1999 (NIA 44/00) Report of the Registrar of Credit Unions for the year 1998 (DETI) (NIA 52/00) Committee for Finance and Personnel: Fifth Report: Report on Error in the Penny Product Calculation and Review of Rating Policy (05/00/R) (The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.) SR No 183 Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD) SR No 188 Seed Potatoes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD) SR No 195 Control of Traffic (Belfast) (No. 5) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DRD) SR No 196 Specific Risk Material (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD) SR No 197 The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DSD) SR No 199 Slaughter Premium Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DARD) SR No 202 Non-automatic Weighing Instruments (Use for Trade) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DETI) SR No 203 Road Races (Croft Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DRD) SR No 205 The Health and Personal Social Services (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DHSSPS) SR No 206 Traffic Weight Restriction (Drennan’s Road, Crumlin) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 (DRD) Proposals for Revising the Approved Code of Practice on "Managing Construction for Health and Safety" (DETI) Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: Sixth Report: The Parades Commission – Supplementary Report (HC 521) Draft Statutory Instrument: Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 FOR INFORMATION – WESTMINSTER PROCEEDINGS NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: Only legislation laid under Paragraph 2 (1) of the Northern Ireland Act 2000 is included in this Section.
For an explanation of Parliamentary consideration of Northern Ireland Legislation, see HCIO Factsheet No. 15
Reproduced from House of Commons Weekly Information Bulletin 12 May 2001. NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: EXECUTIVE BILLS
* Leave granted for Bill to carry over from last Session. NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS
THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY LIST OF MOTIONS Items marked † are new or have been altered EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BUSINESS MOTION Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Collection and Enforcement and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Information, Evidence and Disclosure and Maintenance Arrangements and Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Maintenance Calculation Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Maintenance Calculations and Special Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule Subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Variations) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 be approved. [Minister for Social Development] COMMITTEE BUSINESS MOTION Report of the Ad Hoc Committee – Proceeds of Crime Bill That the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee set up to consider the draft clauses of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, as set out in Command Paper 5066, be submitted to the Secretary of State as a Report of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee – Proceeds of Crime Bill] PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS MOTION 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] 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] Councillors That this Assembly calls upon the Minister of the Environment to bring forward proposals to reward financially 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] 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] 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] 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 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] 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] 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 review urgently 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 Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, 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] 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] 7th Report of Community Attitudes Survey That this Assembly welcomes the publication of the 7th 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, 7th Report, December 2000) [Mr R Beggs] Terrorist Attacks on Northern Ireland Railways That this Assembly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks on the railway infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland. [Mr W Hay] 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 congratulates the European Movement on its efforts to generate interest in the debate on a Single European Currency and calls on the Assembly to support its efforts. [Ms J Morrice] GAA That this Assembly condemns the anti-British ethos of the Gaelic Athletic Association, particularly Rule 21 within its written constitution which discriminates against members of the Security Forces from participation, and calls on Government funding to the GAA to be stopped with immediate effect until such discriminatory rules are removed from the GAA’s constitution. [Mr N Boyd] Organic Farming That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to bring forward plans for environmental enhancement schemes, incentives and support to ensure that targets for organic farming of 3% are increased towards 20%. [Mr G McHugh] Function and Funding of Training Organisations That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment to review the function and funding of Training Organisations. [Mr A Maskey] Financial Assistance to the Agribusiness Sector That this Assembly notes the serious impact of foot-and-mouth disease on the agribusiness sector, and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider giving financial assistance to those most affected, in particular the livestock marts which play a vital role in the agricultural sector. [Mr G Kane] Financial Assistance for Foster Carers That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to bring forward legislative proposals to address the inconsistencies in the arrangements at Board and Trust level for providing financial assistance to those offering foster care for young people in the community. [Ms S Ramsey] Processing of Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to review the process involved in respect of claims for Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance, in the light of its impact on the chronically sick and disabled. [Mrs M Nelis] Plastic Bullets That this Assembly calls on the British Government to impose an immediate and total ban on the use of plastic bullets. [Mrs M Nelis] Assistance for Hepatitis ‘C’ Sufferers That this Assembly notes the financial help given to HIV sufferers in the rest of the United Kingdom and elsewhere, notes the recent legal challenge for similar assistance for Hepatitis ‘C’ sufferers, and accordingly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to take steps to provide financial assistance to Hepatitis ‘C’ sufferers in Northern Ireland. [Mrs I Robinson] European Court of Human Rights That this Assembly believes the European Court of Human Rights should consider the cases of innocent victims created by the activities of illegal paramilitary groups. It further deplores the award of compensation to the families of unashamed armed terrorists. [Mr D Kennedy] Voluntary Play Group Sector That this Assembly values the work of the Voluntary Play Group sector and calls on the Minister of Education to re-assess the current funding criteria so that high quality play groups will not be jeopardised by the removal of financial support by the Department of Education. [Mr R Beggs] |
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