1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. The Speaker’s Business

2.1 Suspension of Assembly

The Speaker informed Members that he received a letter from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt Hon John Reid MP, suspending the devolved institutions with effect from midnight on 14 October, 2002.

2.2 Public Petition – Neglect of the Gray’s Hill area of North Down

Ms Jane Morricebegged leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to the neglect of the Gray’s Hill area in North Down.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Second Stage –

The Speaker notified Members that a valid Petition of Concern signed by 30 Members had been received in respect of the Second Stage of the Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites Bill (NIA Bill 8/02) and that, in accordance with Standing Order 27, no vote could be held on its Second Stage until at least one day had passed.

The Second Stage of the Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites Bill (NIA Bill 8/02) in the names of the First Minister, The Rt Hon David Trimble MP, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan was not moved.

3.2 Motion –

Proposed: 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]

Deputy Speaker (Ms Jane Morrice) in the Chair.

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

3.3 Motion –

Proposed: That the Labour Relations Agency’s draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures be approved.

[Minister for Employment and Learning]

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

3.4 Motion –

Proposed: That the Labour Relations Agency’s draft Code of Practice on Redundancy Consultation and Procedures be approved.

[Minister for Employment and Learning]

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

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage:

The following Motion stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Chairperson, Committee of the Centre.

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).

The Motion was not moved.

4.2 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage: Harbours Bill (NIA Bill 5/02)

The following Motion stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development.

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).

The Motion was not moved.

The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 12.55 pm.

The Sitting resumed at 2.30 pm.

5. Question Time

5.1 Minister of Education

Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness MP.

5.2 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Ms Bairbre de Brún.

5.3 Minister of Finance and Personnel

Deputy Speaker (Mr Jim Wilson) in the Chair.

Questions were put to and answered by, the Minister, Dr Seán Farren.

6. Adjournment

6.1 Mr Alban Maginness spoke on the future of the Mater Hospital.

Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

THE LORD ALDERDICE

The Speaker

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

Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill (NIA Bill 8/01) (as amended at Consideration Stage)

Employment Bill (NIA Bill 11/01) (as amended at Consideration Stage)

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

North/South Ministerial Council Annual Report 2001 (NIA 9/02)

Waterways Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000 (NIA 33/02)

5. Assembly Reports

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: First Report: Inquiry into the 2001 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Proceedings and the Minutes of Evidence Relating to the Report (1/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Second Report: Vision Action Plan/Food Body Working Group: Minutes of Evidence (2/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Education: First Report: Inquiry into Early Years Learning:

Minutes of Evidence (1/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Education: Second Report: Education and Libraries Bill

(NIA Bill 21/01):

Minutes of Evidence and Written Submissions (2/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: First Report: Report of the Committee’s Response to the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Review of Rating Policy (1/02/R)

Committee for the Environment: Second Report: Report on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 7/01) (2/02/R)

Committee for the Environment: Third Report: Interim Report on the Planning (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 12/01): Minutes of Proceedings, Minutes of Evidence, Written Submissions and Associated Commentary (3/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for the Environment: Fourth Report: Interim Report on the Local Air Quality Management Bill (NIA Bill 13/01): Minutes of Proceedings, Minutes of Evidence, Written Submissions and Associated Commentary (4/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety: First Report: Inquiry into Child Protection Services in Northern Ireland: Minutes of Proceedings Relating to the Inquiry, Minutes of Evidence and Written Submissions (1/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Second Report: Response to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s Consultation Document: Developing Better Services – Modernising Hospitals: Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence and Written Submissions (2/02/E) (to be printed)

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Third Report: Report on the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill (NIA Bill 22/01): Minutes of Proceedings Relating to the Report, Minutes of Evidence and Written Submissions (3/02/E) (to be printed)

Public Accounts Committee: First Report: Report on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (1/02/R) (to be printed)

6. Statutory Rules

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

SR No 300 The Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 303 The Control of Noise (Codes of Practice for Construction and Open Sites) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DoE)

SR No 306 Malone Place, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DRD)

SR No 308 Weights and Measures (Passing as Fit for Use for Trade and Adjustment Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DETI)

SR No 309 Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Verification Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DETI)

SR No 315 The Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments) (General) Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (DSD)

7. Consultation Documents
8. Departmental Publications



9. Agency Publications

Forest Service Corporate and Business Plans 2002/3–2006/7

10. Westminster Publications
11. Miscellaneous Publications

Items marked † are new or have been altered

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]
[30 September 2002]

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]
[30 September 2002]

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]
[30 September 2002]

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]
[27 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]

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]

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]

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]
[Mr E Poots]
[Mrs I Robinson MP]
[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]

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]

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]

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]

Entry into Force of the Kyoto Protocol

That this Assembly welcomes the impending Entry into Force of the Kyoto Protocol; recognises that there are environmental, economic and ethical reasons for addressing our ‘ecological debt’ and climate change; and urges all Departments represented in the Executive and the Assembly Commission to join with industry and citizens in taking a lead in breaking the link between economic growth and our reliance on fossil fuels.

[Dr D O’Hagan]
[26September 2002]

Road Fuel Tax

That this Assembly calls on the Executive to make representations to the British and Irish Governments to seek the harmonisation of road fuel prices on the island of Ireland; and further calls on the Executive to make representations to the British Chancellor of the Exchequer to create a special road fuel tax and VAT zone.

[Mr F Molloy]
[26 September 2002]

Drink-driving related fatalities

That this Assembly notes with concern that drinking and driving is a major factor in deaths on our roads and streets.

[Ms M Nelis]
[Mr F Molloy]
[26 September 2002]

Public Judicial Inquiry

That this Assembly calls for a full public judicial inquiry into the alleged involvement of leading Members of Sinn Féin elected to the Assembly, in IRA murder and terrorism.

[Mr C Wilson]
[Mr P Roche]
[Mr N Boyd]
[1 October 2002]

Ulster Farmers’ Union CARE Campaign

That this Assembly endorses the Ulster Farmers’ Union CARE Campaign voicing concerns about the rural exodus that is currently blighting the countryside and urges the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to take all steps necessary to support the campaign.

[Mr J Shannon]
[2 October 2002]

08 October 2002 (afternoon session) / Menu