No. 01/02

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

The Assembly met at 12.00 noon, the Speaker in the Chair

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. The Speaker’s Business

2.1 New Assembly Member

The Speaker informed Members that Mr Michael Coyle had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the East Londonderry constituency to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Mr Arthur Doherty.

Mr Coyle signed the Roll of Members. The Speaker confirmed that Mr Coyle had taken his seat and confirmed his designation as provided in Standing Order 3.

2.2 Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 12 August 2002 to the Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

Royal Assent had also been signified on 13 August 2002 to the Railway Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.

2.3 Re-designation Letters

The Speaker informed Members that he had received letters of re-designation from Ms Monica McWilliams and Ms Jane Morrice notifying him they had changed their designations to ‘Other’ and that under Standing Order 3(8) these re-designations became operative with immediate effect.

2.4 Public Petition – Traffic Problems at Tardree Grove, Ballymena

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr begged leave to present a Public Petition relating to traffic problems at Tardree Grove, Ballymena, in accordance with Standing Order 22.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement – North/South Ministerial Council: Trade and Business Development

Deputy Speaker (Mr Jim Wilson) in the Chair.

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, made a statement to the Assembly on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in its Trade and Business Development sectoral format held on 26 June 2002, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 Statement – North/South Ministerial Council: Food Safety and Health

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Ms Bairbre de Brún, made a statement to the Assembly on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in its Food Safety and Health sectoral format held on 28 June 2002, following which she replied to questions.

3.3 First Stage – Family Law (Divorce etc) Bill (NIA Bill 1/02)

Dr Seán Farren, Minister of Finance and Personnel, introduced a Bill to make provision for certain general principles in the exercise of functions under the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978; to amend Article 3 of that Order and Article 3 of the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980; to provide for mediation in proceedings under those Orders; and to make provision for the equal treatment of husband and wife in certain cases.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 1/02).

3.4 First Stage – Areas of Special Scientific Interest Bill (NIA Bill 2/02)

Mr Dermot Nesbitt, Minister of the Environment, introduced a Bill to make new provision with respect to areas of special scientific interest.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 2/02).

3.5 First Stage – Social Security Bill (NIA Bill 3/02)

Mr Nigel Dodds MP, Minister for Social Development, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to statutory maternity pay; to amend the law relating to maternity allowance; to make provision for work-focused interviews for partners of benefit claimants; to make provision about the use of information for, or relating to, employment and training; to amend the Deregulation and Contracting Out (Northern Ireland) Order 1996; and for connected purposes.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 3/02).

3.6 Final Stage – Health and Personal Social Services Bill (NIA Bill 6/01)

Ms Bairbre de Brún, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, moved that the Final Stage of the Health and Personal Social Services Bill (NIA Bill 6/01) be agreed.

NIA Bill 6/01 passed Final Stage.

3.7 Motion – Accelerated Passage

Proposed: That in accordance with Standing Order 40(4), the Assembly grants accelerated passage to the Social Security Bill.

[Minister for Social Development]

After debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support (nemine contradicente).

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage – Strategic Planning Bill (NIA Bill 17/01)

Proposed: That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 25 November 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Strategic Planning Bill (NIA Bill 17/01).

[Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development]

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

4.2 Motion – Ad Hoc Committee: Draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Proposed: That, pursuant to Standing Order 48(7), this Assembly appoints an Ad Hoc Committee to consider –

The proposal for a draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

referred by the Secretary of State and to submit a report to the Assembly by 17 December 2002.

Composition: UUP 2

SDLP 2

DUP 2

SF 2

Other Parties 3

Quorum: The quorum shall be five.

Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee shall determine.

[Ms M McWilliams]

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

The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 1.30 pm.

The Sitting resumed at 2.30 pm.

The Speaker in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, The Rt Hon David Trimble MP, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan.

5.2 Minister for Regional Development

Deputy Speaker (Mr Donovan McClelland) in the Chair.

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Peter Robinson MP.

5.3 Minister of the Environment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Dermot Nesbitt.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion – Firefighters’ Pay

Proposed: That this Assembly recognises the valuable and courageous work undertaken by the Fire Service and calls for an immediate review of pay and conditions for firefighters to ensure that these accurately reflect the highly skilled and professional role undertaken by firefighters and fire control staff.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Mr J Shannon]

Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair.

6.2 The following Amendment (No.1) stood on the Marshalled List of Amendments in the name of Mr David Ervine:

In line 2 delete ‘and calls for an immediate review of pay and conditions for firefighters to ensure that these’ and insert:

‘and supports the Fire Brigade Union in its call for a professional wage of £30,000 to’

Amendment No.1 was not moved.

6.3 The following Amendment (No.2) stood on the Marshalled List of Amendments in the names of Ms Sue Ramsey and Mr John Kelly:

In line 2 delete ‘an immediate review of pay and conditions for’ and insert:

‘a significant increase in the salaries of’

Amendment No.2 was not moved.

6.4 Amendment No.3

Proposed: In line 2 delete ‘an immediate review of pay and conditions’ and insert:

‘the introduction of a new pay formula together with a commensurate level of pay’

[Rev R Coulter]

[Mr T Hamilton]

After debate, Amendment No.3 being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

7. Adjournment

7.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

The Assembly adjourned at 5.43 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE

The Speaker

9 September 2002

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM 4 JULY 2002 TO 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (Chapter 7)

Railway Safety Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 (Chapter 8)

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Social Security Bill (NIA Bill 3/02)

3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Business Development Service Annual Report and Accounts 2001–2002 (NIA 40/01)

Special EU Programmes Body Annual Report 2000 (NIA 54/01)

Fire Authority for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Financial Statements 2000-2001 (NIA 73/01)

Rate Collection Agency Annual Report and Financial Statements 2001–2002 (NIA 90/01)

The Financial Reporting Advisory Board Report for the period April 2001 to March 2002 (NIA 93/01) (HC 890) (SE/2002/103)

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2001/ 2002 (NIA 95/01)

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Annual Report 2001–2002

(NIA 96/01)

Forest Service Annual Report 2001/2002 (NIA 100/01)

Water Service Annual Report and Accounts 2001–2002 (NIA 103/01)

Construction Service Annual Report and Financial Statements 2001/2002 (NIA 108/01)

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts

(NIA 109/01)

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2001/2002 (NIA 111/01)

Compensation Payments for Clinical Negligence (NIAO) (NIA 112/01)

Government Purchasing Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the year 2001-2002 (NIA 114/01)

The Planning Service Annual Report and Accounts 2001/2002 (NIA 115/01)

Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) Annual Accounts 2001/02 (NIA 117/01)

Road Service Annual Report and Accounts 2001/2002 (NIA 119/01)

Valuation and Lands Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2001–2002 (NIA 120/01)

Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2001–2002 (NIA 121/01)

Rivers Agency Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2002 (NIA 122/01)

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools Annual Report 2001/02 (NIA 123/01)

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Annual Report (NIA 124/01)

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 8^th Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2001/2002 (NIA 125/01)

Laganside Corporation Annual Report and Accounts 2001-2002 (NIA 126/01)

Department of Finance and Personnel Minute, 20 August 2002, Section 8 (1) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act (Northern Ireland) 2001, Directing that Accruing Resources may be used for certain purposes for the year ending 31 March 2003 (NIA 127/01)

InterTradeIreland Annual Review of Activities 2001 Annual Accounts 2001 (NIA 128/01)

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 9^th Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2001/2002 (NIA 129/01)

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 11th Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2001/2002 (NIA 14/02)

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the 10th Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2001/2002 (NIA 15/02)

5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Third Report: Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 8/01) (3/01/R)

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Minutes of Evidence: Discussions with Minister (I) Permia Payments (II) Response to LMC Inquiry Report (III) Animal Disease Inquiry (IV) Northern Ireland Scrapie Plan (V) Rural Proofing (9/01/E)

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Minutes of Evidence: Discussions with Minister (I) Stakeholders’ Forum (II) TB/Brucellosis Testing Update (10/01/E)

Committee for Employment and Learning: Second Report: Report on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Response to the Committee’s Report on the Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry (2/01/R) (to be printed)

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Fourth Report: Report on the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill (NIA Bill 9/01) (4/01/R)

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Fifth Report: Report on Open-Ended Investment Companies Bill (NIA Bill 10/01) (5/01/R)

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Seventh Report: Report on the Company Directors Disqualification Bill (NIA Bill 15/01) (7/01/R)

Committee for Finance and Personnel: First Report: The Executive’s Position Report to the Assembly: Developing the Programme for Government and the Budget for 2003–04 (01/02/R)

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Fourth Report: Report on the Children Leaving Care Bill (NIA Bill 5/01) (4/01/R)

Committee of the Centre: Review of Public Administration: Minutes of Evidence: Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (4/01/E)

Public Accounts Committee: Eleventh Report: Report on Internal Fraud in the Local Enterprise Development Unit (11/01/R)

6. Statutory Rules

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

SR No 231 Change of District Name (Lisburn Borough) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 233 Cycle Tracks (Londonderry to New Buildings) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DRD)

SR No 234 Road (Speed Limit) (No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DRD)

SR No 236 The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Joint Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 237 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)

SR No 238 Animal By-Products (Identification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)

SR No 239 The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 240 County Court (Blood Tests) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2002 (Lord Chancellor)

SR No 241 The Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DEL)

SR No 242 Births, Death and Marriages (Fees) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DFP)

SR No 243 The Social Security (Intercalating Students Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 244 Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (OFMDFM)

SR No 245 Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DEL)

SR No 246 The Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 247 The Child Support (Temporary Compensation Payment Scheme) (Modification and Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 248 The Controlled Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 249 Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 250 Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 251 The Ground Rents (2001 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DFP)

SR No 252 The Property (1997 Order) (Commencement No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DFP)

SR No 253 The Trustee (2001 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DFP)

SR No 254 The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 255 County Court (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2002

(Lord Chancellor)

SR No 256 Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 257 Seeds (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 259 Welfare of Farmed Animals (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 261 The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2002 (Lord Chancellor)

SR No 262 Contaminants in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)

SR No 263 Feeding Stuffs (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

SR No 264 Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)

SR No 265 Students Awards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DEL)

SR No 266 The General Medical Services (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)

SR No 267 The Social Security (Personal Allowances for Children and Young Persons Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 268 The Stakeholder Pension Schemes (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 269 The Plant Health (Phytophthora ramorum) (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 (DARD)

SR No 270 The Social Security (Students and Income-Related Benefits (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 271 The Controlled Waste (Duty of Care) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 272 The Education (Grants for Disabled Postgraduate Students) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DEL)

SR No 273 The Plant Health (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002

SR No 274 Fisheries (Amendment No. 2) Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DCAL)

SR No 276 The Social Security (Incapacity) (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

SR No 278 Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD)

7. Consultation Documents

Flexible Working Draft Regulations

Proposals for Notification of New Substances (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Proposals for Transportable Pressure Vessels Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Proposals for the Introduction of a Plating System for Licensed Taxis

EC Directive 2001/18 on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms: Draft Implementing Regulations: 2^nd Consultation Paper

Proposed Air Quality Limit Values (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Proposals to Introduce Regulations for The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Proposals for the Implementation of EC Directive 97/11/EC in Relation to Harbour Works in Northern Ireland

National Strategy to Combat Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Consultation Paper on the Licensing of Indoor Arenas

8. Departmental Publications

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Fisheries Division Corporate Plan 2002–2005 and Business Plan 2002–2003

Discontinuance of the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College (An Order made under Article 9 of the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997)

Department of Social Development Corporate Plan 2002–2005

9. Agency Publications

Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Corporate Plan 2002–2005 and Business Plan 2002–2003

10. Westminster Publications

Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (Chapter 26)

Sentence Review Commissioners Annual Report 2002 (HC 950)

Northern Ireland Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02

(HC 1026)

11. Miscellaneous Publications

FOR INFORMATION – WESTMINSTER PROCEEDINGS

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

PROCEEDINGS AS AT 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

Delegated legislation dealing with certain reserved matters, and some Bills or Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly, are subject to Parliamentary procedure. The Parliamentary stages of any such legislation are detailed below.

MAP - Motion against presentation of Assembly Bill for Royal Assent.

MCE - Motion that Act of Assembly shall cease to have effect.

For an explanation of Parliamentary consideration of Northern Ireland Legislation, see HCIO Factsheet L8

Legislation of the Northern Ireland Assembly (s. 15 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998)

Some Northern Ireland Assembly Bills which include provisions dealing with exempted or reserved matters are required to be laid before Parliament for a period of 20 sitting days before being presented for Royal Assent. If a motion, signed by not less than 20 Members, disapproving of the Bill is tabled in either House during the 20-day period, the Bill shall not be presented for Royal Assent unless the motion is rejected or withdrawn. The date of tabling of any such motion will be shown below.

Assembly Bills of this type which the Secretary of State deems urgent (U) may be presented for Royal Assent before being laid before Parliament. Such Acts of the Assembly are then required to be laid before Parliament for 20 sitting days. If a motion, signed by not less than 20 Members, praying that the Act shall cease to have effect is tabled in either House during the 20-day period the Act and is agreed to, the Act of the Assembly may be repealed by Order in Council. The date of tabling of any such motion will be shown below.

Delegated Legislation relating to Northern Ireland (s. 85 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998)

Proposals for Orders in Council (other than Orders in Council made without Parliamentary approval by reason of urgency (U)) dealing with certain reserved matters must be laid for a period of 60 days to allow for consultation. The Government has indicated that it will normally refer such proposals to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee for debate. The subsequent draft Orders in Council must be approved by resolution of both Houses before being made (affirmative procedure).

Draft Orders in Council (other than Orders in Council made without Parliamentary approval by reason of urgency (U)) dealing with matters within the competence of a suspended Assembly under Schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 2000 must be approved by resolution of both Houses before being made (affirmative procedure).

Orders in Council made before Parliamentary approval by reason of urgency (U) must be approved by both Houses within 40 days of being made.

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

EXECUTIVE BILLS

PROCEEDINGS AS AT 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

(Cont’d /…….)

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

EXECUTIVE BILLS (Cont’d) PROCEEDINGS AS AT 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

(Cont’d / ……)

* Bills carried over from 2001-2002 Session.

**Bills which are granted accelerated passage do not pass through a Committee Stage.

# At Consideration Stage the title of the Bill was amended to Carers and Direct Payments Bill

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

NON-EXECUTIVE BILLS PROCEEDINGS AS AT 9 SEPTEMBER 2002

* Bills carried over from 2000-2001 Session

# Bills carried over from 2001-2002 Session

THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

LIST OF MOTIONS NO DAY NAMED

Items marked † are new or have been altered

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BUSINESS

MOTION

Accelerated Passage

† That in accordance with Standing Order 40(4), the Assembly grants accelerated passage to the State Pension Credit Bill.

[Minister for Social Development]
[4 September 2002]

Review of Opportunities for Public Private Partnerships in Northern Ireland

† That this Assembly notes the Report of the Review of Opportunities for Public Private Partnerships in Northern Ireland and the Executive’s consultation process on ‘Financing our Future’.

[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
[9 September 2002]

COMMITTEE BUSINESS

MOTION

Energy Inquiry Report

† That this Assembly takes note of the response from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the Committee’s Report on Energy (3/01R).

[Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment]
[3 September 2002]

Extension of Committee Stage – Employment Bill (NIA Bill 11/01)

† That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 18 October 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Employment Bill (NIA Bill 11/01).

[Chairperson, Committee for Employment and Learning]
[5 September 2002]

‘Education and Training for Industry’ Report

† That this Assembly takes note of the Report from the Committee for Employment and Learning on the Department for Employment and Learning’s Response to the Committee’s Inquiry Report on ‘Education and Training for Industry’ (02/01R).

[Chairperson, Committee for Employment and Learning]
[5 September 2002]

Prayer of Annulment: Statutory Rule Subject to Negative Resolution

† That the Seeds (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 257/2002) be annulled.

[Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development]
[9 September 2002]

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

MOTION

Dissolution of Assembly

† This Assembly resolves, pursuant to Section 32(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, that it should be dissolved to facilitate an early election.

[Rev Dr I R K Paisley MP MEP]
[Mr P Robinson MP]
[Mr M Morrow]
[Rev Dr W McCrea]
[2 September 2002]

Policing

† That this Assembly expresses concern at the comments of the Acting Chief Constable of 22 August 2002 that highlighted the failure of the Patten recommendations to address the issue of size of force and skills necessary to meet policing demands and that counter-terrorist activity is now at a higher scale than before 1997 and calls for the following:

- the retention of the Full-Time Reserve as a crucial element of delivering policing both in terms of numbers and skill capabilities;

- the courts to deploy stiffer sentencing policy against criminals;

- the use of anti-terrorism legislation to bring together all government agencies to effectively tackle crime;

- the postponement of the fourth year of the Patten severance scheme;

- the immediate re-deployment of former RUC officers to fill the skills gap that now exists; and

- an end to the political policing by way of having different tactics and sentencing arrangements for the two sections of the community.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Mr S Wilson]
[Mr W Hay]
[2 September 2002]

Preserving Stormont Estate

† That this Assembly, wishing to preserve the built and natural environment of the Stormont Estate and its immediate surrounding district of distinctive and long established townscape, wishes legislation to be brought forward to create a ‘Stormont Designated Area’ to extend to the Massey Avenue/Castlehill Road junction, within which any additional building or any replacement building is subject to the authorisation of the Assembly Commission and is consistent with the type, purpose, mass and dimension of existing buildings and reflects the unique character of this suburb.

[Mr T Hamilton]
[Mr K Robinson]
[2 September 2002]

Underfunding in the Health Service

† That this Assembly endorses the campaigns in the local media and supports the initiative taken by Northern Ireland Construction Health and Safety Group (NICON) to prioritise public expenditure to provide the additional resources necessary to address the serious underfunding in the Health Service and calls on the Executive Committee to bring forward proposals within the current financial year to begin to remedy this situation.

[Mr J Kelly]
[Ms S Ramsey]
[2 September 2002]

‘Investing for Health’

† That this Assembly takes note of the ‘Investing for Health’ document.

[Ms S Ramsey]
[Mr J Kelly]
[2 September 2002]

Free Nursing Care for the Elderly

† That this Assembly calls on the Executive to provide the finance which would allow the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to follow on from the introduction of Free Nursing Care for the Elderly to include Free Personal Care.

[Ms S Ramsey]
[Mr J Kelly]
[2 September 2002]

Review of Sources of Economic Advice

† That this Assembly notes the outcome of the review of sources of economic advice to government and calls on OFMDFM to guarantee the independence of the new arrangements replacing the Northern Ireland Economic Council and Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre.

[Dr E Birnie]
[2 September 2002]

Decentralisation of Civil Service Jobs

† That this Assembly calls on the Executive to begin a meaningful and planned decentralisation of Civil Service jobs to areas outside Greater Belfast, keeping in mind the need to address issues of equality, care for the environment and best use of human resources as well as cost.

[Mr J Dallat]
[2 September 2002]

Credit Card Abuse

† That this Assembly notes the recent abuse of credit cards used in the payment of expenses by personnel in Government agencies, as contained in the reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and calls for a comprehensive review of how Government Departments and their agencies settle their accounts.

[Mr J Dallat]
[2 September 2002]

Postal Delivery Service

† That this Assembly expresses concern at the threat posed to the universal postal delivery service as a result of the proposals by Postcomm, which would allow competitors to "cherry-pick" the profitable parts of the postal service.

[Mr J Dallat]
[2 September 2002]

Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict

† That this Assembly takes note that 300,000 children under 18, and some as young as six years old, both boys and girls, are fighting as soldiers with Government armed forces and armed opposition groups in more than 30 countries world-wide; that children are particularly at risk in Africa and parts of Asia and the Pacific; that the use of children as soldiers must be made completely unacceptable in any circumstances; that Governments in developed countries must be persuaded to take action not only to protect children in their countries but to protect children world-wide; and therefore urges the British Government immediately to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in full without reservations and to persuade other European Union countries to do the same.

[Mr E McGrady MP]
[2 September 2002]

Areas of Special Scientific Interest

† That this Assembly calls on the Minister of the Environment to ensure that the new consultation document on areas of special scientific interest, which will have a widespread impact on the farming industry, rural communities and the environment, is withdrawn.

[Mr E McGrady MP]
[2 September 2002]

Investment in the Trans European Network routes

† That this Assembly calls upon the Department for Regional Development to work in close co-operation with the National Roads Authority in the Republic of Ireland to further the development of and investment in the Trans European Network (TENS).

[Mr J Byrne]
[2 September 2002]

Third Party Appeals

† That this Assembly calls on the Minister of the Environment to introduce Third Party Appeals in the current review of Planning legislation.

[Ms M McWilliams]
[Ms J Morrice]
[3 September 2002]

Charities Commissioner

† That this Assembly gives consideration to the establishment of a Charities Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

[Ms M McWilliams]
[Ms J Morrice]
[3 September 2002]

Plastic Bags

† That this Assembly calls on the UK Environment Minister, Michael Meacher MP, to introduce a tax on non bio-degradable plastic bags.

[Ms M McWilliams]
[Ms J Morrice]
[3 September 2002]

Euro

† That this Assembly calls on all parties to encourage support for a yes vote in a referendum on the introduction of the Single European Currency to the United Kingdom.

[Ms M McWilliams]
[Ms J Morrice]
[3 September 2002]

Student Bursaries

† That this Assembly calls for an urgent review of the qualifying threshold for student bursaries and also calls for the Executive to begin discussions about the introduction of education maintenance allowances for 16 to 19 year olds.

[Mr T Gallagher]
[3 September 2002]

Student Fees

† That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to take immediate steps to end student fees for third level education.

[Mr B McElduff]
[Ms M Gildernew]
[3 September 2002]

Peace II Allocations

† That this Assembly takes note of the allocations made under the Peace II EU support programme.

[Mr P Doherty MP]
[Mr G McHugh]
[3 September 2002]

Brucellosis

† That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement immediately an effective eradication policy to deal with the outbreak of brucellosis.

[Mr C Murphy]
[Mr G McHugh]
[3 September 2002]

Racist Incidents

† That this Assembly takes note of the recent report by the national consultative committee on racism and interculturism ‘Reporting of Racist Incidents’.

[Mr A Maskey]
[3 September 2002]

Patrick Finucane

† That this Assembly supports the Finucane family in its demand for a full independent public judicial inquiry into the killing of Patrick Finucane.

[Mr G Kelly]
[3 September 2002]

Pollution to the Water Supply

† That this Assembly notes the detrimental effect on the community and environment of pollution to the water supply and calls on Crown immunity from prosecution for the Water Service to be abolished.

[Ms M Nelis]
[3 September 2002]

Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

† That this Assembly welcomes the impending ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by European countries; recognises that there are environmental, ethical and economic reasons for supporting the Kyoto Protocol; and urges the British and Irish Governments to encourage countries who have not yet committed themselves to ratification to do so.

[Dr D O’Hagan]
[3 September 2002]

Planning Legislation

† That this Assembly calls on the Minister of the Environment to introduce planning legislation to compel developers to maintain land in their ownership that is surplus to development requirements.

[Ms M Nelis]
[3 September 2002]

Bloody Sunday

† That this Assembly supports the relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday in their effort to establish the truth, through the Saville Inquiry.

[Ms M Nelis]
[3 September 2002]

Car Crimes

† That this Assembly calls on the Executive to set up a car crime task force to consider and make proposals with respect to all relevant areas; calls on the British Government to review the law on offences involving car theft including recommendations for longer sentences; and calls on the relevant legal authorities to review bail policy for those charged with car crime.

[Ms P Lewsley]
[Ms S Ramsey]
[5 September 2002]

Establishment of an All Island Structure

† That this Assembly supports the establishment of an all island structure to represent our interests in Agriculture and Rural Development at EU and wider level in co-operation with farm organisations North and South.

[Mr G McHugh]
[5 September 2002]

‘The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis and the Irish Border’ Report

† That this Assembly takes note of the Centre for Cross Border Studies Report ‘The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis and the Irish Border’.

[Mr G McHugh]
[5 September 2002]

Fair Price Commission

† That this Assembly notes the disastrous situation of agriculture in Northern Ireland and urges the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to establish a Fair Price Commission with one of its principal functions being to investigate the distribution of profits within the Agri-Food sector.

[Mr G Savage]
[5 September 2002]

Interdepartmental Working Group

† That this Assembly calls on the Executive to establish without further delay, and in addition to the planned Review of Community Relations Policy, an Interdepartmental Working Group to tackle the problem of paramilitary flags and sectarian graffiti as unanimously agreed by this Assembly on 24 September 2001.

[Mr K McCarthy]
[6 September 2002]

Gibraltar

† That this Assembly notes the forthcoming referendum in Gibraltar and calls upon the British Government to recognise and respect the democratically expressed wishes of the citizens of Gibraltar.

[The Lord Kilclooney]
[Sir Reg Empey]
[The Rt Hon D Trimble MP]
[Mr M McGimpsey]
[9 September 2002]

Turkmenistan

† That this Assembly urges the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to make representations to the United Nations to intervene on behalf of all religious groups who have been subject to extreme subjugation and repression under the undemocratic Government of Turkmenistan.

[Mr J Shannon]
[9 September 2002]

RUC Radio System

† That this Assembly calls upon the Government to investigate fully the alleged link between the RUC’s radio system and the disproportionately high number of Special Branch’s anti-terrorist officers who have contracted or died of cancer.

[Mr J Shannon]
[9 September 2002]

Child Abuse

† That this Assembly urges the Home Secretary to enact legislation that will in effect be a "Sarah’s Law" for the United Kingdom and further urges him to investigate thoroughly the law in America known as "Megan’s Law" and to apply the workable parts of it to this country as soon as possible.

[Mr J Shannon]
[9 September 2002]

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]
[9 September 2002]

Prevention of Bullying in the Workplace

† That this Assembly believes that existing legislation aimed at the prevention of bullying in the workplace is inadequate and that increased effort needs to be directed towards introducing legislation to minimise the occurrence of such bullying.

[Mr J Shannon]
[9 September 2002]

MLA Appointment

† That this Assembly appoints Seán Neeson MLA as its nominee to the Regional Chamber of the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of Europe.

[Mr D Ford]
[Mr K McCarthy]
[9 September 2002]

3 July 2002 / Menu / 10 September 2002