No. 47-10/11

Minute of Proceedings

Tuesday 15 March 2011

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Matters of the Day

Mr Stephen Moutray made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to a soldier killed in Afghanistan. Party representatives were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Speaker’s Business

The Speaker delivered a ruling on scheduling an Exceptional Further Consideration Stage in relation to the Justice Bill because the Bill, as amended at Further Consideration Stage, was deemed to be outside the legislative competence of the Assembly. The additional stage would be for the sole purpose of allowing the House to debate and vote on a corrective amendment prior to Final Stage.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement - Road Safety Strategy

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots, made a statement to the Assembly regarding a Road Safety Strategy, following which he replied to questions.

4.2 Statement - Launch of a Consultation on the Proposed Discontinuance of Stranmillis University College and its Proposed Merger with the Queen’s University of Belfast

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Mr Danny Kennedy, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the launch of a consultation on the proposed discontinuance of Stranmillis University College and its proposed merger with the Queen’s University of Belfast, following which he replied to questions.

4.3 Final Stage - High Hedges Bill (NIA Bill 15/09)

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots, moved that the Final Stage of the High Hedges Bill (NIA Bill 15/09) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

NIA Bill 15/09 passed Final Stage.

The sitting was suspended at 12.40pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew.

5.2 Finance and Personnel

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson.

6. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

6.1 Statement - Consultation on the Future Policy on Higher Education Tuition Fees and Student Finance Arrangements in Northern Ireland

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Mr Danny Kennedy, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the consultation on the future policy on Higher Education tuition fees and student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

6.2 Final Stage - Justice Bill (NIA Bill 1/10)

The Final Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 1/10) stood on the Order Paper in the name of the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford.

The Final Stage of the Bill was not moved.

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Final Stage - Autism Bill (NIA Bill 2/10)

Mr Dominic Bradley moved that the Final Stage of the Autism Bill (NIA Bill 2/10) do now pass.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

NIA Bill 2/10 passed Final Stage.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.46pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

15 March 2011

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
15 March 2011

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

HSC Business Services Organisation Annual Report 2009/10 (HSC)

5. Assembly Reports

Twelfth Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules NIA 58/10/11R

6. Statutory Rules

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

S.R. 2011/103 The Recovery of Health Services Charges (Amounts) (Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DHSSPS)

For Information Only:

S.R. 2011/87 The Parking Places on Roads (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)

S.R. 2011/88 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)

S.R. 2011/93 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DRD)

S.R. 2011/100 The County Court (Amendment No.2) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DOJ)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Public Consultation - Proposed discontinuance of Stranmillis University College and its proposed merger with the Queen's University of Belfast (DEL)

Future policy on higher education tuition fees and student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland - Public Consultation Document and Equality Impact Assessment (DEL)

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

The Sports Council for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 (DCAL)

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 (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): 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 (FCS): 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 15 MARCH 2011

Session 2010-2011
Executive Bills

Session 2010-2011
Non-Executive Bills

* Bill carried over from 2009-2010 by the Assembly as Royal Assent had not been achieved.
/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage