No. 22-10/11

Minute of Proceedings
Monday 29 November 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

The Speaker informed Members that he had received a letter from Mr Gerry Adams resigning as a Member of the Assembly with effect from Monday 6 December 2010. The Speaker advised that he had notified the Chief Electoral Officer, in accordance with Section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement - Inter-governmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, made a statement to the Assembly on the Inter-governmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Matters, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.

3.2 Further Consideration Stage - Commissioner for Older People Bill (NIA Bill 21/09)

The Junior Minister, Mr Gerry Kelly, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Commissioner for Older People Bill.

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Bill NIA 21/09 stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3.3 Motion - Draft General Register Office (Fees) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Proposed:

That the draft General Register Office (Fees) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 be approved.

Minister of Finance and Personnel

Debate ensued

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

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion - Amend Standing Order 20 (1)(b)

Proposed:

In Standing Order 20(1)(b) line 1, leave out ‘2.30 pm and 3.30 pm’ and insert -

‘2.00 pm and 3.00 pm’.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community supportnemine contradicente.

4.2 Motion - Amend Standing Order 20(8)

Proposed:

In Standing Order 20(8), at the end insert -

‘A supplementary question may contain no more than one enquiry.’

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community supportnemine contradicente.

4.3 Motion - Amend Standing Order 20

Proposed:

In Standing Order 20, after paragraph (8) insert –

‘(8A) Answers (including those to supplementary questions) may be no longer than two minutes. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Speaker.’

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community supportnemine contradicente.

4.4 Motion - Prayer of Annulment S.R. 2010/361

The following Motion stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

Proposed:

That the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/361) be annulled.

The Motion was not moved.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion - Driving Under the Influence of Drink or Drugs

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that December is a month which traditionally sees the highest number of road deaths; acknowledges the efforts of the PSNI in detecting drivers who drink and drive, or take drugs and drive; endorses the message that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unacceptable; and urges all drivers to have due regard for the law and to drive responsibly.

Mr D Kinahan
Mr J McCallister

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 2.21pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson. The Junior Minister, Mr Robin Newton, also answered a number of questions.

6.2 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

7.1 Motion - Specialist Neurology Beds

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the cut in specialist neurology beds at the Royal Victoria Hospital; acknowledges that the Belfast neurology unit is a facility for all of Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to ensure that the beds are reinstated so that patients with neurological conditions have equal access to specialist treatment.

Mr G Robinson
Mr J Wells

Debate ensued.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.30pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

29 November 2010

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly from
24 to 29 November 2010

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

Social Fund Annual Report 2009/2010 (DSD)

Office of the Social Fund Commissioner for Northern Ireland Annual Report 2009-2010 (DSD)

Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland - Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2007 (DCAL)

Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland - Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2008 (DCAL)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Dogs (Amendment) Bill (NIA 17/10/11R) (Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development)

Report on the Safeguarding Board Bill (NIA 22/10/11R) (Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety)

The Administration and Management of the Disability Living Allowance Reconsideration and Appeals Process (NIA 25/10/11R) (Public Accounts Committee)

Report on the Employment (No.2) Bill (NIA 26/10/11R) (Committee for Employment and Learning)

6. Statutory Rules

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

S.R. 2010/380 The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DARD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Consultative Document: Proposals for the Factories Act ( Northern Ireland) 1965 and Office and Shop Premises Act ( Northern Ireland) 1966 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2011 (DETI)

Proposed Amendment of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2000 (DOE)

A Consultation by the Department for Regional Development, Northern Ireland on The Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations (Exemption) Regulations (NI) 2011 (DRD)

9. Departmental Publications

Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Departments 2009/10 (DFP)

On a Journey to a Low Carbon Lifestyle in Northern Ireland – Energy Saving Trust (DETI)

Tourism Ireland Ltd - Annual Report 2009 (DETI)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications