No. 1-07/08
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement – Recent outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in England
Ms Michelle Gildernew, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made a statement to the Assembly on the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England, following which she replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.
3. Committee Business
3.1 Motion – Committee Membership – Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Proposed: That Mr Francis Molloy replace Mr Mitchel McLaughlin as a member of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
[Ms C Ní Chuilín]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion – Economic Development Task Force
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to establish a Task Force to address urgently the economic development of the west, including the areas covered by Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane, Dungannon and Cookstown District Councils; and further calls upon the Minister to bring forward a report of the Task Force by 31 st March 2008, to include specific recommendations to tackle neglect, increase investment and maximise opportunities for North-South funding aimed at improving infrastructure and achieving higher levels of employment and employability in these areas.
[Mr T Gallagher]
Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after the first ‘to’ and insert:
‘investigate with relevant Ministers the economic development of the west, including the areas covered by Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane, Cookstown, and Dungannon District Councils; and to ensure that these matters, including infrastructure, employment and employability, are taken into account in the discussions leading to the Programme for Government, Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.’
[Lord Morrow]
Debate ensued.
Debate suspended.
The Speaker in the chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Rt Hon Ian Paisley.
5.2 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Michelle Gildernew.
5.3 Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Edwin Poots.
6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
6.1 Motion – Economic Development Task Force (Cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
The Amendment being put, the Amendment was made (Division 1).
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
6.2 Motion – Tax Varying Powers
Proposed: That this Assembly supports the transfer of tax varying powers to the Executive, along with the establishment of an Executive borrowing facility.
[Ms J McCann]
[Mr M McLaughlin]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was negatived without division.
7. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 5.44 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
10 September 2007
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
10 SEPTEMBER 2007
DIVISIONS
Division No. 1
Economic Development Task Force – Amendment No. 1
Proposed: Leave out all after the first ‘to’ and insert:
‘investigate with relevant Ministers the economic development of the west, including the areas covered by Fermanagh, Omagh, Strabane, Cookstown, and Dungannon District Councils; and to ensure that these matters, including infrastructure, employment and employability, are taken into account in the discussions leading to the Programme for Government, Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.’
[Lord Morrow]
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 49
Noes: 48
Ayes
Mr Armstrong, Mr Beggs, Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Burnside, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Rev Dr Robert Coulter, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Dodds, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Sir Reg Empey, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McFarland, Mr McGimpsey, Miss McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Paisley Jnr, Rt Hon Ian Paisley, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Mr K Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr S Wilson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McQuillan and Mr G Robinson.
Noes
Mr Adams, Ms Anderson, Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Brolly, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Dallat, Dr Deeny, Mr Doherty, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Ms Gildernew, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McHugh, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Ms Ruane, Mr B Wilson.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr D Bradley and Mrs Hanna.
The Amendment was made.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
4 JULY 2007 to 10 SEPTEMBER 2007
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Budget Act ( Northern Ireland) 2007
Welfare Reform Act ( Northern Ireland) 2007
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency's Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 (NIA 9/06-07)
Driver & Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 (NIA 13/06-07)
Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints Resource Accounts for year ending March 2007 (NIA 17/06-07)
Department for Regional Development Resource Accounts for year ending March 2007 (NIA 30/06-07)
Northern Ireland Assembly Resource Accounts for year ending March 2007 (NIA 32/06-07)
Food from Britain Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (NIA 39/06-07)
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland - Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (NIA 40/06-07)
Land Registers of Northern Ireland - Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (NIA 41/06-07)
Rivers Agency Annual Reports and Accounts 2006/07 (NIA 42/06-07)
NISRA Annual Reports and Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2007 (NIA 44/06-07)
Water Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (NIA 46/06-07)
Annual Report on Descision Making in the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency (NIA 47/06-07)
The Planning Service Annual Report & Accounts 2006/07 (NIA 48/06-07)
Thirteenth Report on the Development of Services for People with a Learning Disability or Mental Illness in Northern Ireland (NIA 49/06-07)
Fourteenth Report on the Development of Services for People with a Learning Disability or Mental Illness in Northern Ireland (NIA 50/06-07)
Environment and Heritage Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (NIA 51/06-07)
Valuation and Lands Agency 2006-07 Annual Report and Accounts (NIA 53/06-07)
Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company Annual Accounts (NIA 55/06-07)
Roads Service Annual Report and Accounts (NIA 57/06-07)
Western Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2005/06 (NIA 58/06-07)
South Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2005-2006 (NIA 59/06-07)
Social Security Agency Annual Report & Accounts 2006-2007 (NIA 62/06-07)
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) Annual report and accounts 2006/2007 (NIA 63/06-07)
Laganside Corporation's Annual Report and Financial Statements 2006/07 (NIA 64/06-07)
Financial Auditing and Reporting: 2005-06. General Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (NIA 65/06-07)
Financial Auditing and Reporting: 2003-04 and 2004-05. Combined General Report on the Health Sector by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (NIA 66/06-07)
National Museums in Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for 2005 -06 (NIA 67/06-07)
Labour Relations Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (NIA 68/06-07)
Insolvency Service Annual Report and Account for the year ended 31 March 2006 (NIA 69/06-07)
General Consumer Council Annual Report and Accounts 2006/0 (NIA 70/06-07)
Northern Ireland Child Support Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2006 – 2007 (NIA 71/06-07)
Forest Service Annual Report and Accounts year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 72/06-07)
36th Annual Report Northern Ireland Housing Executive 1 April 2006-31 March 2007 (NIA 76/06-07)
Human Tissue Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (NIA 77/06-07)
The Accruing Resources Table - financial year 2007/08 (NIA 78/06-07)
Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland - Annual Report & Accounts 2006/2007 (NIA 79/06-07)
Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2003/2004 (NIA 80/06-07)
Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2004/2005 (NIA 81/06-07)
Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2005/2006 (NIA 82/06-07)
2003-04 Annual Report and Accounts of the Belfast Education and Library Board (NIA 83/06-07)
Northern Ireland ’s Road Safety Strategy (NIA 1/07-08)
Fisheries Conservancy Board 2005 Annual Report (NIA 3/07-08)
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Resource Accounts for year ending March 2007 (NIA 5/07-08)
Memorandum on the First Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2006/2007 (NIA 20/07-08)
Annual Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council (NIPEC) 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 (NIA 24/07-08)
Annual Report and Accounts of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 (NIA 25/07-08)
Transfer of Surplus Land in the PFI Education Pathfinder Projects (NIA 21/07-08)
5. Assembly Reports
Public Accounts Committee: Report on The Upgrade of the Belfast to Bangor Railway Line (01/07R)
Committee for Finance and Personnel: First Report on Workplace 2010 and Location of Public Sector Jobs (01/07R)
Examiner of Statutory Rules Session 2007-2008: First Report to the Assembly and Appropriate Committees (NIA 28/07-08)
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2007/311 The Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/323 The Road Transport (Working Time) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
S.R. 2007/325 The Miscellaneous Food Additives and the Sweeteners in Food (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2007/326 The Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) (2006 Regulations) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/327 The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Circuses and Avian Quarantine) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/328 The Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/329 The Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/330 The Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/332 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 3) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/333 The Plant Health (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/336 The Students Awards (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/337 The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers' Commpensation) (Prescribed Occupations) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/338 The Occupational Pension Schemes (Winding Up, Winding Up Notices and Reports, Etc.) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/339 The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2007/340 The Working Time (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/341 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/342 The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/343 The Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/344 The Company and Business Names (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/345 The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
S.R. 2007/346 The Roads (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/347 The Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/349 The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2007/350 The Route U1541 Creevanger Road, Omagh (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/351 The Queens Road, Antrim (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/352 The Food (Suspension of the Use of E128 Red 2G as Food Colour) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) ( DHSSPS)
S.R. 2007/354 Pig Production Development Committee (Winding Up) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/355 Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/356 The Thornhill Road, Dungannon (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/357 The Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/360 The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/361 The Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
S.R. 2007/363 The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 ( DEL)
S.R. 2007/364 The Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/368 The Shaftesbury Road, Bangor (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/369 The B82 Killadeas Road, Kesh (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/370 The A2 Clooney Road, Faughanvale (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/372 Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No 2.) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
S.R. 2007/375 The Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/382 The Independent Living Fund (2006) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/394 The Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/383 The Measuring Instruments (Automatic Catchweighers) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/384 The Measuring Instruments (Automatic Gravimetric Filling Instruments) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/385 The Measuring Instruments (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/386 The Measuring Instruments (Beltweighers) (Use for Trade) Regualtions ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/387 The Measuring Instruments (Capacity Serving Measures) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/388 The Measuring Instruments (Liquid Fuel by Road Tanker) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/389 The Measuring Instruments (Automatic Discontinuous Totalisers) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/390 The Measuring Instruments (Material Measures of Length) (Use for Trade) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/391 The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
S.R. 2007/392 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No. 4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/393 The Flexible Working (Eligibility, Complaints and Remedies) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/394 The Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/395 The Social Security (National Insurance Credits) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
For information only:
S.R. 2007/294 (C. 18) The Waste (Amendment) (2007 Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
S.R. 2007/295 The Social Security ( Netherlands) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/324 The Family Proceedings (Amendments) Rules ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (NIO)
S.R. 2007/334 (C. 22) The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (2003 Order) (Commencement No. 3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2007/335 (C. 23) The Welfare Reform (2007 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/353 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
S.R. 2007/358 The Cycle Routes (Amendment No. 3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/359 The Waiting Restrictions (Tandragee) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/362 (C. 24) The Social Security (1989 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DSD)
S.R. 2007/365 The Street Works (2007 Amendment Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/366 The Cycles Routes (Amendment No.4) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/367 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)
7. Consultation Documents
Changes to the Regulation of Number Plate Supply in the United Kingdom (DOE)
Additional Paternity Leave and Pay - Consultation on Administration ( DEL)
Consultation on Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 3) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
Proposals for Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DETI)
Implementing EU Equality Obligations in Northern Ireland: The Gender Goods and Services Directive (OFMDFM)
8. Departmental Publications
Final Equality Commission Investigation Report under Paragraph 11 of Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 into Article 2 of the Draft Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) ( Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (OFMDFM)
Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (DOE)
Including the Homeless: A Strategy to promote the social inclusion of homeless people, and those at risk of becoming homeless in Northern Ireland (DSD)
Business Plan 2007-2008 (DRD)
Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DFP)
Civil Service Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Scheme ( Northern Ireland) 2007 (DFP)
Unregistered Death Benefits Scheme ( Northern Ireland) (DFP)
Pensions Bill – Equality Impact Assessment (DSD)
Review of the Composition and Employment Practices of The Northern Ireland Civil Service
9. Agency Publications
Child Support Agency Annual Report - Decision Making Profit
Food Standards Agency Resource Accounts 2006-07
Forest Service Business Plan 2007/2008
Draft Disability Action Plan and Draft Business Development Solutions Equality Impact Assessment (BDS EQIA) (Invest NI)
Drinking Water Quality Report - 2006 (DRD)
10. Westminster Publications
The Northern Ireland Policing Board Annual Report and Accounts April 2006 – March 2007 (HC 842)
Forensic Science Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (HC 689)
Northern Ireland Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 (HC 863)
11. Miscellaneous Publications
Research paper into the Financial Cost of the Northern Ireland Divide - Deloitte (This is currently an unpublished paper)