No. 48-08/09
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 31 MARCH 2009
The Assembly met at 10.30 am, the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement - North-South Ministerial Council Environment Sectoral Format
The Minister of the Environment, Mr Sammy Wilson, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Environment Sectoral Format, following which he replied to questions.
2.2 Motion - Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Proposed: That the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 be affirmed.
[Minister for Social Development]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
2.3 Motion - Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics ( Northern Ireland) Order 2009
Proposed: That the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 be affirmed.
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
3. Private Members’ Business
3.1 Motion - Domestic Violence
Proposed: That this Assembly deplores any instance of domestic violence and its implications for children, young people and vulnerable adults; calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals to ensure full access to refuge for persons affected and to address the issue of access to legal aid for vulnerable families; and further calls for adequate funding for the relevant support groups and community organisations in their campaigns and work in tackling domestic violence.
[Ms S Ramsey]
[Ms J McCann]
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 12.30 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00 pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
3.2 Motion - All Party Assembly Group on Autism
Proposed: That this Assembly expresses its concern at the high rate of autism and the consequent development challenges to Government and non Government agencies across health, education and social care; and commends the United Nations designation of 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day and the invitation to all Member States to observe this day annually to raise public awareness of autism.
[Mr J Craig]
[Mr B Wilson]
[Mr D Bradley]
[Mr K McCarthy]
[Mr J McCallister]
[Mr C Boylan]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
3.3 Motion - Sales of Alcohol to Minors
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to introduce a series of measures on off-licence sales of alcohol to reduce its availability to minors.
[Mr E Poots]
[Mr J Shannon]
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Adjournment
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín spoke on Urban Renewal Status for Upper Long Streets in North Belfast.
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 6.31 pm .
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
31 March 2009
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON
31 MARCH 2009
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
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2009/132 The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DETI)
S.R. 2009/145 The Establishments and Agencies (Fitness of Workers) (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
For Information Only:
S.R. 2009/123 (C.7) The Libraries (2008 Act) (Commencement No 2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DCAL)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Public Inquiry into the Clostridium Difficile Outbreak in Northern HSC Trust Hospitals, 2007/2008 (DHSSPS)
8. Consultation Documents
9. Departmental Publications
Drug Use in Ireland and Northern Ireland 2006/2007 - Drug Prevalence Survey: Sedatives or Tranquillisers, and Anti-depressants Results (DHSSPS)
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: 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 31 MARCH 2009
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 |
01.05.08 |
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 |
11.06.08 |
13.01.09 |
27.01.09 |
17.02.09 |
02.03.09 |
| *Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill NIA Bill 15/07 | 12.05.08 |
20.05.08 |
12.12.08 |
04.12.08 |
||||
| *Public Authorities (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 19/07 | 17.06.08 |
30.06.08 |
12.12.08 |
19.11.08 |
09.12.08 |
12.01.09 |
20.01.09 |
16.02.09 |
| *Civil Registration Bill NIA Bill 20/07 | 17.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
20.03.09 |
18.03.09 |
||||
| *Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 21/07 | 23.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
05.12.08 |
13.11.08 |
01.12.08 |
09.12.08 |
12.01.09 |
21.01.09 |
| *Diseases of Animals Bill NIA Bill 22/07 | 30.06.08 |
15.09.08 |
17.02.09 |
13.02.09 |
||||
| *Presumption of Death Bill NIA Bill 23/07 | 01.07.08 |
15.09.08 |
16.01.09 |
14.01.09 |
09.03.09 |
30.03.09 |
||
| /Pensions (No. 2) Bill NIA Bill 2/08 | 17.11.08 |
25.11.08 |
N/A |
N/A |
02.12.08 |
08.12.08 |
09.12.08 |
15.12.08 |
| Education Bill NIA Bill 3/08 | 25.11.08 |
08.12.08 |
30.09.09 |
|||||
| /Financial Assistance Bill NIA Bill 4/08 | 12.01.09 |
13.01.09 |
N/A |
N/A |
20.01.09 |
26.01.09 |
27.01.09 |
04.02.09 |
| /Budget Bill NIA Bill 5/08 | 16.02.09 |
17.02.09 |
N/A |
N/A |
24.02.09 |
02.03.09 |
03.03.09 |
06.03.09 |
| Financial Provisions Bill NIA Bill 6/08 | 23.02.09 | 03.03.09 | 13.05.09 |
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 |
* Bill carried over from 2007-2008 by the Assembly as Royal Assent had not been achieved.
/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage