Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

No. 49-09/10

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 19 APRIL 2010

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Royal Assent

The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 13 April 2010 to the Housing (Amendment) Act ( Northern Ireland) 2010.

2.2 Committee Membership

The Speaker informed Members that he had received notification of the resignations of the Lord Morrow as Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, with effect from 12 April 2010, and Mr Raymond McCartney as Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, with effect from 13 April 2010.

The Speaker informed Members that he had received correspondence from the nominating officer of the Democratic Unionist Party, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, nominating the Lord Browne as Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures with effect from 13 April 2010. The Speaker confirmed the appointment.

The Speaker informed Members that he had received correspondence from the nominating officer of Sinn Féin, Mr Pat Doherty, nominating Mr Alex Maskey as Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee with effect from 13 April 2010. The Speaker confirmed the appointment.

2.3 Public Petition - Traffic Matters at Camlough Road and Millvale Road Junction, Newry

Mr Dominic Bradley was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to Traffic Matters at Camlough Road and Millvale Road Junction, Newry.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Ministerial Statement - North South Ministerial Council Meeting in Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Format

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Format, held on 31 March 2010, following which she replied to questions.

3.2 Ministerial Statement - British Irish Council Social Inclusion Meeting

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

Junior Minister, Mr Robin Newton, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the British Irish Council Social Inclusion meeting, held in Edinburgh on 26 March 2010, following which he replied to questions.

3.3 First Stage - Local Government (Finance) Bill (NIA 14/09)

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots, introduced a Bill to make provision for the financial affairs of district councils; to make provision relating to grants to district councils and for payments to councillors and other payments by district councils.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 14/09).

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion - Standing Committee Membership

Proposed:

That the Lord Browne and Mr Stephen Moutray replace the Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP and Mr Jonathan Craig as members of the Public Accounts Committee.

Lord Morrow
Mr P Weir

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

4.2 Motion - Standing Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Mickey Brady replace Mr Billy Leonard as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges; and that Mr Paul Butler replace Mr Raymond McCartney as a member of the Committee on Procedures.

Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Maskey

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

4.3 Motion - Standing Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Fred Cobain be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Mr F Cobain
Mr B Armstrong

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

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion - Creation of a Café Culture Society

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Executive to bring forward legislation to enable the hospitality industry to create a café culture society similar to that in other European cities, towns and villages, to help promote the tourism, leisure and hospitality industries.

Mr P Maskey
Mr B McElduff

Debate ensued

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

5.2 Motion - St Patrick’s Day Public Holiday

Proposed:

That this Assembly calls on the Secretary of State to proclaim St Patrick’s Day a full and permanent public holiday in Northern Ireland to help boost tourism and the local economy.

Mr K McCarthy
Mr S Neeson

Debate ensued

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

The sitting was suspended at 2.01pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.30pm, with the Speaker in the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey.

6.2 Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Conor Murphy.

The sitting was suspended at 3.30pm.

The sitting resumed at 3.45pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the Chair.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Volcanic Ash Cloud over Europe

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Conall McDevitt.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 3.55pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

19 April 2010

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
14 – 19 April 2010

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Housing (Amendment) Act ( Northern Ireland) 2010

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities Annual Report to 30 September 2009 (DSD)

5. Assembly Reports

The Resettlement of Long Stay Patients from Learning Disability Hospitals NIA 53/09/10R (PAC)

6. Statutory Rules

(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)

S.R. 2010/148 The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DHSSPS)

S.R. 2010/149 The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DHSSPS)

S.R. 2010/151 The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DOE)

S.R. 2010/153 The Foyle Area (Control of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (DARD)

S.R. 2010/154 The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (DARD)

S.R. 2010/155 The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DARD)

S.R. 2010/157 The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD/DOE)

Draft SR 2010 The Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DARD)

For Information Only:

S.R. 2010/146 The Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (Court Service)

S.R. 2010/147 (C.11) The Department of Justice (2010 Act) (Commencement) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (OFMDFM)

S.R. 2010/150 The Waiting Restrictions (Downpatrick) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DOE)

Home Office Consultation on the Introduction of Charges for Controlled Drug and Precursor Chemical Licences (DHSSPS)

9. Departmental Publications

Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Eighth and Ninth Reports from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2009-2010

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

The Northern Ireland Police Fund Financial Statements 31 March 2009

12. Miscellaneous Publications