No. 55-08/09

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 12 MAY 2009

The Assembly met at 10.30am, 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 Institutional Format Meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council Institutional format meeting, following which he replied to questions.

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Motion - Dairy Sector

Proposed: That this Assembly recognises the difficulties facing the dairy sector and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to set up a task force to consider the way forward for the sector and how it can be assisted in advance of the abolition of milk quotas.

[Dr W McCrea]
[Mr E Poots]
[Mr W Irwin][R]
[Mr T Clarke]

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.32 pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00 pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

3.2 Motion - Proposal to Establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Economic Downturn

Proposed: That this Assembly reaffirms the priority given to the economy outlined in the Programme for Government; notes with concern the impact of the downturn on jobs, especially in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors; recognises the need to protect frontline services including health, education, skills and housing in the pursuit of efficiency savings; and resolves to establish an ad-hoc committee:

(i) to bring forward proposals to revise budget lines and spending profiles to ensure the best support for key economic sectors in the context of both current downturn and future recovery;

(ii) to explore innovative uses of public money to address the pressures caused by the global downturn and prospects for regional recovery; and

(iii) to consider proposals to ring-fence frontline public services and ensure more strategic targeting of efficiency savings.

[Mr M Durkan]
[Mr D O’Loan]
[Mrs C Hanna]
[Dr A McDonnell]

3.3 Amendment No. 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘savings’ and insert :

‘; notes that budget lines are altered in-year via the Monitoring Round process and that since 2007 the Executive has reallocated £1 billion in resources, including £70 million in December 2008, aimed at addressing the downturn; acknowledges the need to pursue further efficiencies targeted at reducing the size of government; welcomes the proposal for an Efficiency Review Panel; and calls for the prompt production of recommendations to reduce the number of government Departments and to deliver efficient and effective public services.’

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Mr P Weir]
[Mr A McQuillan]

3.4 Amendment No. 2

Proposed: Leave out ‘ resolves to establish an ad-hoc committee’ and insert:

‘calls on the Executive to utilise fully the in-year Monitoring Round process:’

[Mr M McLaughlin]
[Mr F McCann]
[Ms J McCann]

Debate ensued.

Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 1).

Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 2).

The Question being put, the Motion was negatived (Division No. 3).

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.

4. Adjournment

Mr Dominic Bradley spoke to his topic on Non-Acute Hospital Provision in Armagh City.

Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

The Assembly adjourned at 4.56 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
12 May 2009

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

12 MAY 2009

DIVISIONS

Division No. 1

Proposal to Establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Economic Downturn - Amendment No. 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘savings’ and insert :

‘; notes that budget lines are altered in-year via the Monitoring Round process and that since 2007 the Executive has reallocated £1 billion in resources, including £70 million in December 2008, aimed at addressing the downturn; acknowledges the need to pursue further efficiencies targeted at reducing the size of government; welcomes the proposal for an Efficiency Review Panel; and calls for the prompt production of recommendations to reduce the number of government Departments and to deliver efficient and effective public services.’

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Mr P Weir]
[Mr A McQuillan]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 29
Noes: 47

Ayes

Mr Bresland, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Dodds, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Miss McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McQuillan and Mr Spratt.

Noes

Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Burns, Mr W Clarke, Mr Cobain, Mr Cree, Dr Deeny, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Mr Gardiner, Ms Gildernew, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr McCallister, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mr McFarland, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McNarry, Mr Molloy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr K Robinson, Ms Ruane.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Attwood and Mr O’Loan.

Amendment No. 1 fell.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

12 MAY 2009

DIVISIONS

Division No. 2

Proposal to Establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Economic Downturn - Amendment No. 2

Proposed: Leave out ‘ resolves to establish an ad-hoc committee’ and insert:

‘calls on the Executive to utilise fully the in-year Monitoring Round process:’

[Mr M McLaughlin]
[Mr F McCann]
[Ms J McCann]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 18
Noes: 58

Ayes

Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Ms Gildernew, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ruane.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Boylan and Ms J McCann.

Noes

Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Bresland, Mr Buchanan, Mr Burns, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Cobain, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Dr Deeny, Mr Dodds, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Durkan, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mrs Foster, Mr Gallagher, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hamilton, Mrs Hanna, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mr McCallister, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McFarland, Mr McGlone, Miss McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, Mr O’Loan, Mr Poots, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Mr K Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr P J Bradley and Mr Burns.

Amendment No. 2 fell.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

12 MAY 2009

DIVISIONS

Division No. 3

Proposal to Establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Economic Downturn – Motion

Proposed: That this Assembly reaffirms the priority given to the economy outlined in the Programme for Government; notes with concern the impact of the downturn on jobs, especially in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors; recognises the need to protect frontline services including health, education, skills and housing in the pursuit of efficiency savings; and resolves to establish an ad-hoc committee:

(i) to bring forward proposals to revise budget lines and spending profiles to ensure the best support for key economic sectors in the context of both current downturn and future recovery;

(ii) to explore innovative uses of public money to address the pressures caused by the global downturn and prospects for regional recovery; and

(iii) to consider proposals to ring-fence frontline public services and ensure more strategic targeting of efficiency savings.

[Mr M Durkan]
[Mr D O’Loan]
[Mrs C Hanna]
[Dr A McDonnell]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 29
Noes: 47

Ayes

Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Burns, Mr Cobain, Mr Cree, Dr Deeny, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Mr Gardiner, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Ms Lo, Mr McCallister, Mr McCarthy, Dr McDonnell, Mr McFarland, Mr McGlone, Mr McNarry, Mr O’Loan, Mr P Ramsey, Mr K Robinson, Mr Savage.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs M Bradley and Mrs Hanna.

Noes

Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr Bresland, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr W Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Dodds, Mr Doherty, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Ms Gildernew, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Miss McIlveen, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McQuillan, Mr Molloy, Lord Morrow, Mr Newton, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Mr Poots, Ms Purvis, Ms S Ramsey, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Boylan and Mr Spratt.

The Motion was negatived.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON
12 MAY 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.)

For Information Only :

S.R. 2009/176 The County Court (Amendment No. 2) Rules ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (County Courts)

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: 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 12 MAY 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	27.04.09
/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	06.05.09

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