No. 10-08/09
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2008
The Assembly met at 10.30 am, the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the Chair
-
Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
-
Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement - Independent Review of the Outbreak of Clostridium Difficile in Northern Trust Hospitals
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the independent review of the outbreak of Clostridium Difficile in Northern Trust hospitals, following which he replied to questions.
2.2 Motion - Social Security (Students Responsible for Children or Young Persons) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Proposed: That the Social Security (Students Responsible for Children or Young Persons) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 be approved.
[Minister for Social Development]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
-
Private Members’ Business
3.1 Motion - Financial Pressures Impacting on Public Spending
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail any existing and anticipated financial pressures impacting on public spending allocations in the current budgetary period, in light of the global economic downturn and credit crunch.
[Mr D McNarry]
[Mr R Beggs]
3.2 Amendment No. 1
Proposed: At end insert:
‘; and further calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to lay a draft budget for 2009-2010, agreed by the Executive Committee, before the Assembly in accordance with section 64 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.’
[Mr M Durkan]
[Mr D O’Loan]
3.3 Amendment No. 2
Proposed: At end insert:
‘, and to report on any plans to make changes to the underlying allocations within the 2008-2011 Budget, beyond the scope of the quarterly monitoring rounds.’
[Dr S Farry]
[Mr D Ford]
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 12.46 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00 pm with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
-
Private Members’ Business (cont’d)
4.1 Motion - Financial Pressures Impacting on Public Spending (cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 1).
Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
-
Private Notice Question
5.1 Teachers’ Strike at Movilla High School, Newtownards
The Minister of Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, replied to a Question to which she had been given private notice, tabled by Mr Mervyn Storey.
-
Private Member’s Business (cont’d)
6.1 Motion - Climate Change
Proposed: That this Assembly expresses concern that the Minister of the Environment continues to ignore the mounting evidence that climate change is a significant issue, and -
(i) calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that the Department of the Environment recognises recent scientific evidence and sets challenging targets for carbon reductions and sustainable development across all departments; and
(ii) calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that the principles and priorities for the Department of the Environment contained in the Programme for Government, and approved by the Assembly, are reflected accurately by both the Minister of the Environment and departmental officials, for example, when attending North-South and East-West ministerial meetings.
[Mr T Gallagher]
6.2 Amendment No. 1
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:
‘recognises that climate change is occurring, is a significant issue and that mankind should contribute to a solution to the extent to which it is contributing to the problem; calls on the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of the Environment to take action to minimise the impact of this on individuals, households and small and medium sized enterprises; further recognises that the Department of the Environment has already committed to targets in this area in the Programme for Government; and further calls on the Minister of the Environment to promote the Energy Saving Trust and the Northern Ireland Energy Agency in order to help prevent further financial pressure on households.’
[Mr A Ross]
[Mr P Weir]
6.3 Amendment No. 2
Proposed: At end insert:
‘(iii) calls on all Ministers to ensure that their Departments recognise the significance of man-made climate change, particularly in the promotion of sustainability in transport, planning, housing and energy consumption.’
[Mr D Ford]
[Mr B Wilson]
Debate ensued.
Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 2).
Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
6.4 Motion - Omagh Bombing
Proposed: That this Assembly calls for the establishment of a formal, cross-border, legally binding process, designed to secure full disclosure from the Intelligence Services and Security forces in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, to establish what relevant information they had before, and immediately after, the attack which killed 29 civilians on 15 August 1998.
[Mr D Ford]
[Mrs N Long]
[Mr K McCarthy]
[Dr K Deeny]
6.5 Amendment No. 1
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:
‘condemns the republican terrorists responsible for the murder of the 29 people and two unborn children in Omagh on 15 August 1998; recognises that they alone were responsible for this tragedy; notes the recent revelations about the possible breakdown in the provision of information that may have assisted in the prevention of the bombing; and calls on the UK Government to urgently institute a process to investigate the matter (i) in a way which is open, transparent, and commands the confidence of the community; and (ii) in co-operation with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.’
[Mr A Bresland]
[Mr T Buchanan]
6.6 Amendment No. 2
Proposed: ‘, and two unborn children,’
[Mr D Ford]
[Mr T Lunn]
[Dr S Farry]
[Dr K Deeny]
Debate ensued.
Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment was made without division.
Amendment No. 2 was not put.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
-
Adjournment
Mr Alastair Ross spoke on promoting the tourist potential of East Antrim.
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 7.02 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
14 October 2008
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
14 OCTOBER 2008
DIVISIONS
Division No. 1
Financial Pressures Impacting on Public Spending - Amendment No. 1
Proposed: At end insert:
‘; and further calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to lay a draft budget for 2009-2010, agreed by the Executive Committee, before the Assembly in accordance with section 64 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.’
[Mr M Durkan]
[Mr D O’Loan]
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 34
Noes: 52
Ayes
Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Burns, Mr Cobain, Rev Dr Robert Coulter, Mr Cree, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Sir Reg Empey, Dr Farry, Mr Gallagher, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr A Maginness, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Mr McFarland, Mr McGlone, Mr McNarry, Mr Neeson, Mr O’Loan, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Mr K Robinson, Mr Savage, Mr B Wilson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Dr Farry and Mr O’Loan.
Noes
Mr Adams, Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr Bresland, Mr Brolly, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Butler, Mr T Clarke, Mr W Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Dodds, Mr Doherty, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr G Kelly, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr M McGuinness, Miss McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Murphy, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Mr Poots, Ms S Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr S Wilson.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Craig and Ms S Ramsey.
The Amendment fell.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
14 OCTOBER 2008
DIVISIONS
Division No. 2
Climate Change - Amendment No. 1
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:
‘recognises that climate change is occurring, is a significant issue and that mankind should contribute to a solution to the extent to which it is contributing to the problem; calls on the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of the Environment to take action to minimise the impact of this on individuals, households and small and medium sized enterprises; further recognises that the Department of the Environment has already committed to targets in this area in the Programme for Government; and further calls on the Minister of the Environment to promote the Energy Saving Trust and the Northern Ireland Energy Agency in order to help prevent further financial pressure on households.’
[Mr A Ross]
[Mr P Weir]
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 30
Noes: 58
Ayes
Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Dodds, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr I McCrea, Miss McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr S Wilson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Ross and Mr Shannon.
Noes
Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr Boylan, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Brolly, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Cobain, Rev Dr Robert Coulter, Mr Cree, Mr Dallat, Dr Deeny, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr McCallister, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mr McFarland, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McNarry, Mr Neeson, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Mr K Robinson, Ms Ruane, Mr Savage, Mr B Wilson.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Gallagher and Mrs D Kelly.
The Amendment fell.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON
14 OCTOBER 2008
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
6. Statutory Rules
7. Consultation Documents
8. Departmental Publications
9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications
11.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: Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage: 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: 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 14 OCTOBER 2008
Session 2008-2009
Executive Bills
Title & Bill Number |
First Stage |
Second Stage |
Committee Stage due to Conclude |
Committee Report Ordered to be Printed |
Consideration Stage
|
Further Consideration Stage |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*Charities Bill NIA Bill 9/07 |
10.12.07 |
15.01.08 |
27.06.08 |
13.05.08 |
03.06.08 |
17.06.08 |
30.06.08 |
09.09.08 |
*Building Regulations Bill NIA Bill 11/07 |
25.02.08 |
04.03.08 |
27.06.08 |
25.06.08 |
|
|
|
|
*Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill NIA Bill 15/07 |
12.05.08 |
20.05.08 |
12.12.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Public Authorities (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 19/07 |
17.06.08 |
30.06.08 |
04.11.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Civil Registration Bill NIA Bill 20/07 |
17.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
05.11.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 21/07 |
23.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
05.11.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Diseases of Animals Bill NIA Bill 22/07 |
30.06.08 |
15.09.08 |
17.02.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
*Presumption of Death Bill NIA Bill 23/07 |
01.07.08 |
15.09.08 |
06.11.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
Session 2008-2009
Non-Executive Bills
Title & Bill Number |
First Stage |
Second Stage |
Committee Stage due to Conclude |
Committee Report Ordered to be Printed |
Consideration Stage
|
Further Consideration Stage |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*Carers Allowance Bill NIA Bill 13/07 |
31.03.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Use of School Premises Bill NIA Bill 1/08 |
13.10.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|