Minutes of Proceedings

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2.    Executive Committee Business

2.1  Further Consideration Stage – Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Simon Hamilton, on behalf of the Minister for Social Development, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Pensions Bill (NIA Bill 42/11-16) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3.    Committee Business

3.1  Motion – Report on Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Public Sector (NIA 237/11-16)

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves the report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel on its Review of Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Public Sector; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in conjunction with Executive colleagues, to implement, as applicable, the recommendations contained therein.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued.

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

4.    Private Members’ Business

4.1  Motion – Water Rates

Proposed:

That this Assembly reaffirms its rejection of the imposition of water rates on the people of Northern Ireland; recognises that were they to be introduced, households would face an additional cost of at least £400 per year; and calls on the Minister for Regional Development to prioritise within his budget to ensure sufficient investment is in place to maintain properly the local water infrastructure.

Mr J Bell
Mr T Clarke

4.2       Amendment

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘year’ and insert:

‘notes that it is an Executive priority to ensure that there are no additional water charges; and calls on the Minister for Regional Development to work with his Executive colleagues to ensure sufficient resources are made available to his Department to maintain properly the local water infrastructure.’

Mr L Cree
Mr R Beggs
Mr R Swann

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.25pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Principal Deputy Speaker (Mr Newton) in the Chair.

5.    Question Time

5.1   Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.

5.2   Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Danny Kennedy.

Deputy Speaker (Mr Beggs) in the Chair

6.    Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1  Motion – Water Rates (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the motion.

The Question being put, the Amendment was made.

The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried.

7.    Adjournment

Mr John Dallat spoke to his topic regarding services at the Causeway Hospital.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.05pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker
21 April 2015

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
21 April 2015

1.      Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2.      Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3.      Orders in Council

4.      Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5.      Assembly Reports

Report on Managing and Protecting Funds held In Court NIA 246/11-16 (PAC).

6.      Statutory Rules

S.R. 2015/220 The Parkside Gardens, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/221 The Sliabh Dubh Glen and Sliabh Dubh View, Belfast (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

For Information Only

S.R. 2015/217 The One-Way Traffic (Belfast) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/218 The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/219 The Prohibition of Right-Hand Turn (Larne) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

S.R. 2015/222 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Newtownabbey) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (DRD).

7.      Written Ministerial Statements

8.      Consultation Documents

9.      Departmental Publications

10.    Agency Publications

11.    Westminster Publications

12.    Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.

Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.

Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.

Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.

Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.

Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.

Royal Assent.

Proceedings as at 22 April 2015

2011-2016 Mandate
Executive Bills

2011-2016 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage

** Please note that any bills that received Royal Assent in the previous session have been removed from the table.