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No. 09/02 NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 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 Royal Assent The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 4 October 2002 to the Health and Personal Social Services Act (Northern Ireland) 2002. 3. Executive Committee Business 3.1 Statement – North/South Ministerial Council: Agriculture Deputy Speaker (Mr Donovan McClelland) in the Chair. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Bríd Rodgers, made a statement to the Assembly on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in its Agriculture sectoral format held on 27 September 2002, following which she replied to questions. 3.2 Statement – Water Quality and Planning The Minister of the Environment, Mr Dermot Nesbitt, made a statement to the Assembly on water quality and planning, following which he replied to questions. 3.3 Consideration Stage – Employment Bill (NIA Bill 11/01) Ms Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning, moved that the Consideration Stage of the Employment Bill be agreed. Twelve amendments were tabled to the Bill. Clauses The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 3 stand part of the Bill. After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 4 was made without division. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 4 as amended stand part of the Bill. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 5 to 7 stand part of the Bill. After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 8 was made without division. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 8 as amended stand part of the Bill. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 9 to 12 stand part of the Bill. After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 13 was negatived (Division 1). Amendments 4-7 to Clause 13 were not called as they were consequential to Amendment 3. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 13 stand part of the Bill. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 14 to 18 stand part of the Bill. Schedules The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 1 stand part of the Bill. The Speaker in the Chair. After debate, Amendments 9-12 to Schedule 2 were made without division. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 2 as amended stand part of the Bill. Long Title The Question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division. NIA Bill 11/01 passed Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker. 4. Question Time 4.1 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. 4.2 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. 4.3 Minister of the Environment Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Dermot Nesbitt. Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair. 5. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d) 5.1 Consideration Stage – Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 8/01) Ms Bríd Rodgers, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, moved that the Consideration Stage of the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill be agreed. One amendment was tabled to the Bill. Clauses The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 4 stand part of the Bill. After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 5 was made without division. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 5 as amended stand part of the Bill. The Question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 6 stand part of the Bill. Long Title The Question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division. NIA Bill 8/01 passed Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker. 5.2 Further Consideration Stage – Company Directors Disqualification Bill (NIA Bill 15/01) Sir Reg Empey, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Company Directors Disqualification Bill be agreed. No amendments were tabled to the Bill. NIA Bill 15/01 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. 5.3 Final Stage – Children (Leaving Care) Bill (NIA Bill 5/01) Ms Bairbre de Brún, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, moved that the Final Stage of the Children (Leaving Care) Bill (NIA Bill 5/01) be agreed. NIA Bill 5/01 passed Final Stage. 6. Committee Business 6.1 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage: Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill (NIA Bill 22/01) 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 Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill (NIA Bill 22/01). [Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety] The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division. 7. Private Members’ Business 7.1 First Stage – Agriculture (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 10/02) Mr Billy Armstrong, introduced a Bill to include horses within the definition of agricultural animals; and for connected purposes. Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 10/02). 7.2 Motion – Prayer of Annulment: Statutory Rule subject to Negative Resolution Proposed: That the Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 283/2002) be annulled. [Mr P Berry] After debate, the Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division 2). 8. Adjournment 8.1 Ms Monica McWilliams spoke on maternity provision in South Belfast. Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn. [The Speaker] The Assembly adjourned at 6.20 pm. THE LORD ALDERDICE The Speaker 7 October 2002 EMPLOYMENT BILL MARSHALLED LIST OF AMENDMENTS CONSIDERATION STAGE Monday 7 October 2002 Amendments tabled up to and including Thursday, 03 October 2002 _______________________________________________________________ The Bill will be considered in the following order- Clauses, Schedules and Long Title Amendment 1 [Made] Clause 4, Page 21, Line 32 After ‘Act’ insert ‘(except section 167 ZP(1) to (3))’ Minister for Employment and Learning Amendment 2 [Made] Clause 8, Page 24, Line 16 Leave out paragraph (a) and insert¾ ‘(a) after sub-paragraph (f) (issues relating to entitlement to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay) there shall be inserted¾ "(fa) subject to and in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph by the Department for Employment and Learning with the concurrence of the Board, to decide any issue arising as to, or in connection with, entitlement to statutory paternity pay or statutory adoption pay;"’ Minister for Employment and Learning Amendment 3 [Negatived on Division] Clause 13, Page 28, Line 14 After ‘child’ insert ‘or disabled dependant’ Ms Monica McWilliams Amendment 4 [Not called (as consequential to Amendment 3)] Clause 13, Page 28, Line 24 After ‘child’ insert ‘or disabled dependant’ Ms Monica McWilliams Amendment 5 [Not called (as consequential to Amendment 3)] Clause 13, Page 28, Line 27 After ‘Article’ insert ‘which is made in respect of a child’ Ms Monica McWilliams Amendment 6 [Not called (as consequential to Amendment 3)] Clause 13, Page 28, Line 29 Leave out the words from ‘or’ to the end. Ms Monica McWilliams Amendment 7 [Not called (as consequential to Amendment 3)] Clause 13, Page 28, Line 39 Leave out from beginning to ‘child’ in the second place it occurs and insert ‘In this Article any reference to a disabled dependant is to a dependant’ Ms Monica McWilliams Amendment 8 [Not Selected] Clause 18, Page 33, Line 9 Leave out ‘Employment’ and insert ‘Parental Employment Rights’ Chair, Statutory Committee for Employment and Learning Amendment 9 [Made] Schedule 2, Page 37, Line 21 At end insert¾ ‘The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (NI 5) . In Article 84A(1) (claims and proceedings to which Agency arbitration scheme applies)¾ (a) after "tribunal" insert "under, or"; (b) after "contravention of" insert¾ "(za) Article 112G(1) or 112H(1)(b) of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (flexible working);" and (c) in sub-paragraph (a) for "the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996" substitute "that Order".’ Minister for Employment and Learning Amendment 10 [Made] Schedule 2, Page 39, Line 1 Leave out lines 1 to 3 and insert‘in sub-paragraph (e) after "134" insert ", 135C".’ Minister for Employment and Learning Amendment 11 [Made] Schedule 2, Page 39, Line 7 At end insert¾ ‘The Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 18) . In Article 20(1) (claims and proceedings to which provisions as to conciliation apply)¾ (a) in sub-paragraph (c)¾ (i) at the beginning insert "under, or"; (ii) after head (vii) insert¾ "(viia) Article 112G(1) or 112H(1)(b) (flexible working);" and (b) in sub-paragraph (e) at the beginning insert "under, or".’ Minister for Employment and Learning Amendment 12 [Made] Schedule 2, Page 39, Line 7 At end insert¾ ‘The Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 9) . In Article 24 (1) (power to confer rights on individuals) at the end add¾ "(g) the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2002.".’ Minister for Employment and Learning FUR FARMING (PROHIBITION) BILL MARSHALLED LIST OF AMENDMENTS CONSIDERATION STAGE Monday 7 October 2002 Amendments tabled up to and including Thursday, 03 October 2002 _______________________________________________________________ The Bill will be considered in the following order- Clauses and Long Title Amendment 1 [Made] Clause 5, Page 3, Line 35 At end insert¾ ‘(4) The scheme shall provide that payments shall not be made under the scheme in respect of a business which was first carried on after a date specified in the scheme.’ Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY 7 OCTOBER 2002 DIVISIONS Division No.1 Employment Bill Amendment 3, Clause 13 Proposed: Clause 13, Page 28, Line 14 After ‘child’ insert ‘or disabled dependant’ [Ms Monica McWilliams] The Question was put and the Assembly divided. Ayes : 19 Noes : 35 Ayes Eileen Bell, Séamus Close, David Ervine, David Ford, Michelle Gildernew, Billy Hutchinson, John Kelly, Kieran McCarthy, Barry McElduff, Gerry McHugh, Monica McWilliams, Francie Molloy, Jane Morrice, Conor Murphy, Mick Murphy, Seán Neeson, Mary Nelis, Dara O'Hagan, Sue Ramsey. Noes Roy Beggs, Billy Bell, Esmond Birnie, P J Bradley, Joe Byrne, Joan Carson, Robert Coulter, Annie Courtney, Michael Coyle, John Dallat, Ivan Davis, Mark Durkan, Reg Empey, Seán Farren, Tommy Gallagher, John Gorman, Tom Hamilton, Carmel Hanna, Joe Hendron, Derek Hussey, Danny Kennedy, Lord Kilclooney, James Leslie, Patricia Lewsley, David McClarty, Alasdair McDonnell, Alan McFarland, Michael McGimpsey, Eddie McGrady, Eugene McMenamin, Eamonn ONeill, Ken Robinson, Bríd Rodgers, George Savage, David Trimble. The Amendment fell. NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY 7 OCTOBER 2002 DIVISIONS Division No.2 Motion – Prayer of Annulment: Statutory Rule subject to Negative Resolution Proposed: That the Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 283/2002) be annulled. [Mr P Berry] The Question was put and the Assembly divided. Ayes : 36 Noes : 24 Ayes Roy Beggs, Billy Bell, Paul Berry, Esmond Birnie, Gregory Campbell, Mervyn Carrick, Wilson Clyde, Robert Coulter, Ivan Davis, Nigel Dodds, Sam Foster, Oliver Gibson, Tom Hamilton, William Hay, David Hilditch, Derek Hussey, Roger Hutchinson, Gardiner Kane, Danny Kennedy, James Leslie, David McClarty, William McCrea, Alan McFarland, Maurice Morrow, Ian Paisley Jnr, Ian R K Paisley, Iris Robinson, Ken Robinson, Mark Robinson, Peter Robinson, George Savage, Jim Shannon, David Trimble, Peter Weir, Jim Wells, Sammy Wilson. Noes Alex Attwood, Michael Coyle, John Dallat, Bairbre de Brún, Seán Farren, Tommy Gallagher, Michelle Gildernew, Carmel Hanna, Denis Haughey, Joe Hendron, Gerry Kelly, John Kelly, Patricia Lewsley, Alban Maginness, Alasdair McDonnell, Barry McElduff, Gerry McHugh, Monica McWilliams, Francie Molloy, Mick Murphy, Dara O'Hagan, Eamonn ONeill, Sue Ramsey, Bríd Rodgers. The Motion was carried. NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM 2 OCTOBER 2002 TO 7 OCTOBER 2002
Labour Relations Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2001–2002 (NIA1/02) Social Security Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2001–2002 (NIA 4/02) General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland Annual Report 2001-2002 (NIA 5/02) Examiner of Statutory Rules: Second Report: Report to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees: 27 September 2002 (NIA 26/02)
Development of Services for people with a Learning Disability or Mental Illness (NIA 27/02) Separation of Younger From Older Patients in Hospital (NIA 28/02) Residential Care of Handicapped Persons Under the age of 65 (NIA 29/02)
Committee for Employment and Learning: First Report: Report on the Employment Bill (NIA Bill 11/01) (1/02/R) Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Sixth Report: Report on the Insolvency Bill (NIA Bill 14/01) (6/01/R) Committee for the Environment: First Report: Report on the Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill (NIA Bill 19/01) (1/02/R)
Committee for the Environment: Second Report: Report on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 7/01) (2/02/R) (to be printed) Committee for Finance and Personnel: Second Report: Report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel’s Response to the Review of Rating Policy Consultation Paper (2/02/R)
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.) SR No 292 Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Prescription of Offices, Ranks and Positions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (OFMDFM) SR No 294 Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE) SR No 299 The Social Security (Personal Injury Payments Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD) SR No 304 Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing of Animals) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DARD) SR No 307 Food (Figs, Hazelnuts and Pistachios from Turkey) (Emergency Control No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DHSSPS)
FOR INFORMATION – WESTMINSTER PROCEEDINGS NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: PROCEEDINGS AS AT 7 OCTOBER 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 7 OCTOBER 2002
(Cont’d /……) NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: EXECUTIVE BILLS (Cont’d) PROCEEDINGS AS AT 7 OCTOBER 2002
(Cont’d /…….) NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: EXECUTIVE BILLS (Cont’d) PROCEEDINGS AS AT 7 OCTOBER 2002
* Bills carried over from 2001-2002 Session. **Bills which are granted accelerated passage do not pass through a Committee Stage. NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION: NON-EXECUTIVE BILLS PROCEEDINGS AS AT 7 OCTOBER 2002
# Bills carried over from 2001-2002 Session THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY NO DAY NAMED Items marked † are new or have been altered EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BUSINESS MOTION Draft Code of Practice on Redundancy Consultation and Procedures That the Labour Relations Agency’s draft Code of Practice on Redundancy Consultation and Procedures be approved. [Minister for Employment and Learning] Draft Code of Practice on Industrial Action Ballots and Notice to Employers That the Department for Employment and Learning’s draft Code of Practice on Industrial Action Ballots and Notice to Employers be approved. [Minister for Employment and Learning] Draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures That the Labour Relations Agency’s draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures be approved. [Minister for Employment and Learning] Statutory Rule subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 189/2002) be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Social Security (Intercalating Students Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 243/2002) be approved. [Minister for Social Development] Statutory Rule subject to Confirmatory Resolution That the Child Support (Temporary Compensation Payment Scheme) (Modification and Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR 247/2002) be approved. [Minister for Social Development] ‘Review of Post-Primary Education: Report on Responses to Consultation’ † That this Assembly takes note of the ‘Review of Post-Primary Education: Report on Responses to Consultation.’ [Minister of Education] COMMITTEE BUSINESS MOTION 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] Committee of the Centre That, in accordance with Standing Order 58(2), this Assembly approves the establishment of a second Sub-Committee of the Committee of the Centre. [Chairperson, Committee of the Centre] Extension of Committee Stage – Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Assembly Standards) Bill (NIA Bill 25/01) † That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 6 December 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Assembly Standards) Bill (NIA Bill 25/01). [Chairperson, Committee of the Centre] Extension of Committee Stage – Harbours Bill (NIA Bill 5/02) † That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(5), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(3) be extended to 16 December 2002, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Harbours Bill (NIA Bill 5/02). [Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development] 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] 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] 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] 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] ‘Investing for Health’ That this Assembly takes note of the ‘Investing for Health’ document. [Ms S Ramsey] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] Charities Commissioner That this Assembly gives consideration to the establishment of a Charities Commissioner for Northern Ireland. [Ms M McWilliams] 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] 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] 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] 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] Peace II Allocations That this Assembly takes note of the allocations made under the Peace II EU support programme. [Mr P Doherty MP] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] ‘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] 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. |