No. 01/02

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement – Draft Budget 2003-04

Deputy Speaker (Mr Donovan McClelland) in the Chair.

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Dr Seán Farren, made a statement to the Assembly on the Draft Budget 2003-04, following which he replied to questions.

The Speaker in the Chair.

2.2 Further Consideration Stage – Children (Leaving Care) Bill (NIA Bill 5/01)

Ms Bairbre de Brún, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Children (Leaving Care) Bill be agreed.

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

NIA Bill 5/01 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

2.3 Further Consideration Stage – State Pension Credit Bill (NIA Bill 4/02)

Mr Nigel Dodds MP, Minister for Social Development, moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the State Pension Credit Bill be agreed.

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

NIA Bill 4/02 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 12.33 pm.

Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair.

2.4 Motion – Draft Programme for Government

Proposed: That this Assembly takes note of the draft Programme for Government.

[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]

Deputy Speaker (Mr Donovan McClelland) in the Chair.

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

3. Committee Business

3.1 Motion –

Proposed: That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 22 November 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Education and Libraries Bill (NIA Bill 21/01).

[Chairperson, Committee for Education]

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

4. Adjournment

4.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

THE LORD ALDERDICE

The Speaker

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Audit and Accountability Bill (NIA Bill 6/02)

Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) Bill (NIA Bill 7/02)

3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules

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

SR No 291 Gas Order 1996 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DETI)

7. Consultation Documents

Draft Budget 2003–2004

8. Departmental Publications

Transport Statistics 200 –2002

9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications
11. Miscellaneous Publications

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

PROCEEDINGS AS AT 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

EXECUTIVE BILLS PROCEEDINGS AS AT 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

EXECUTIVE BILLS (Cont’d) PROCEEDINGS AS AT 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION:

NON-EXECUTIVE BILLS PROCEEDINGS AS AT 24 SEPTEMBER 2002

THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

LIST OF MOTIONS NO DAY NAMED

Items marked † are new or have been altered

Department’s response to the ‘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]

Extension of Committee Stage –

Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill (NIA Bill 20/01)

That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 22 November 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill (NIA Bill 20/01).

[Chairperson, Committee of the Centre]
[18 September 2002]

Extension of Committee Stage – Marriage Bill (NIA Bill 18/01)

That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 4 November 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Marriage Bill (NIA Bill 18/01).

[Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel]
[20 September 2002]

Extension of Committee Stage – Family Law (Divorce etc) Bill (NIA Bill 1/02)

That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 9 December 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Family Law (Divorce etc) Bill (NIA Bill 1/02).

[Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel]
[20 September 2002]

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]

Attacks on Emergency Services Staff

That this Assembly condemns the mindless attacks against emergency services workers; recognises the vital role that fire-fighters, ambulance staff and police officers provide in supporting the local community and ensuring public safety, and considers that the Northern Ireland Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland should take all necessary steps to ensure that the safety of all staff who work within the emergency services is safeguarded.

[Mr D Hussey]
[Mr M McGimpsey]
[Mr K Robinson]
[Dr E Birnie]
[10 September 2002]

Increasing Insurance Costs

That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to investigate the increasing cost of insurance for small businesses and the voluntary and community sector; and to make representations to the British Chancellor of the Exchequer to alleviate their burden.

[Mr F Molloy]
[Mr B McElduff]
[Ms M Gildernew]
[10 September 2002]

Victims’ Memorial Garden

That this Assembly recognises the heartache and suffering of the families of victims who perished as a result of the September 11^th terrorist attack in the United States and welcomes Her Majesty’s Government’s funding for a memorial garden in remembrance of those victims. Accordingly, this Assembly calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to extend the same respect to the victims who died as a result of terrorism in this part of the United Kingdom by financing the creation of a similar memorial garden in Great Britain.

[Ms J Carson]
[Mr S Foster]
[Mr B Armstrong]
[Mr D Kennedy]
[12 September 2002]

War on Iraq

That this Assembly expresses its grave concern at the current threat of war against Iraq, and of the potential to cause further instability in the region. This Assembly calls on the Prime Minister to work through the United Nations and its Security Council, in keeping with international law, to achieve a resolution of the current crisis and secure peace and stability in the region.

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

‘Foot-and-Mouth Disease’ Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers

That this Assembly notes the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers on Foot-and-Mouth Disease and calls on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to put in place the necessary measures to prevent the re-occurrence of this disease.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[12 September 2002]

Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre

That this Assembly notes the dire financial situation of the Belfast Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre and calls upon the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Northern Ireland Office to provide adequate funding to ensure the long-term future of the Centre.

[Ms J Carson]
[13 September 2002]

Anorexia, Bulimia

That this Assembly notes the lack of facilities for those who suffer from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and calls upon the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to make Province-wide provision in the National Health Service for specific clinical facilities and services to help those who struggle to cope with these illnesses.

[Mrs I Robinson MP]
[Mr P Berry]
[16 September 2002]

Non-Natural Deaths in the Armed Forces

That this Assembly calls on the Ministry of Defence to provide an independent public inquiry into the cause and circumstances surrounding 13 non-natural deaths which have occurred in the armed forces in Northern Ireland since 1994.

[Mr M Robinson]
[Mr S Wilson]
[16 September 2002]

NICS ‘Article 55 Review’

That this Assembly notes the publication of the fourth ‘Article 55 Review’ of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the recruitment figures for the General Service Grades (comprising more than 17,000 employees) with a view to implementing a programme aimed at ensuring equality of opportunity across those grades.

[Mr G Campbell MP]
[17 September 2002]

Child Poverty

That this Assembly calls on the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to give particular attention to child poverty as a priority within the Children’s Strategy.

[Ms P Lewsley]
[23 September 2002]

23 September 2002 / Menu / 30 September 2002