Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes' silence.

2. Speaker's Business

2.1 Ministerial Appointment

The Speaker informed Members that, on 06 October 2015, Mr Jonathan Bell had taken up the office of Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The Speaker confirmed that Mr Bell affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and confirmed the appointment.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Second Stage – Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill (NIA Bill 56/11-16)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment moved the Second Stage of the Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill (NIA Bill 56/11-16).

Debate ensued.

The Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill (NIA Bill 56/11-16) passed Second Stage.

3.2 Further Consideration Stage – Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 39/11-16) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

4. Private Members' Business

4.1 Motion – Private Rental Sector

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes its concerns at the continued growth of the unregulated private rented sector which is the biggest provider of socially rented accommodation, a sector which receives tens of millions of pounds in housing benefit but still has little legislation or regulation; calls on the Minister for Social Development to review the role of the private sector in the provision of social rented accommodation to ensure it is fit for purpose; and further calls on the Minister for Social Development to introduce measures to regulate this sector.

Mr F McCann
Mr A Maskey

Debate ensued.

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

4.2 Motion – Autism

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern over the waiting times for children for autism and Special Educational Needs assessments; notes that the Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger's Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2015 report, published in July 2015, shows that the estimated prevalence of autism has increased; recognises that delays in diagnosis are resulting in children with Special Educational Needs being denied access to the extra educational support they need; further notes the importance of early intervention for educational and social development for these children; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to work collaboratively with the Minister of Education and his arm's-length bodies to invest fully in, and streamline services to deal with the backlog.

Mr F McKinney
Mr D Bradley
Ms C Hanna
Mr S Rogers

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.

5.2 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr John O'Dowd.

6. Private Members' Business (cont'd)

6.1 Motion – Autism (cont'd)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

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

7. Adjournment

Mr Barry McElduff spoke to his topic regarding spatial planning to meet demand for housing in Carrickmore.

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.00pm.

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
The Speaker

06 October 2015

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
06 October 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

Child Maintenance Service Annual Report on Decision Making 1 April to 31 March 2015 (DSD).

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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 7 October 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.