No.02/07
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2007
The Assembly met at10.30 am, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Committee Business
2.1 Motion – Establishment of Statutory Committees
Proposed: That this Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 46(1)(a), establishes the following Statutory Committees:
- the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
- the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
- the Committee for Education
- the Committee for Employment and Learning
- the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
- the Committee for the Environment
- the Committee for Finance and Personnel
- the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
- the Committee for Regional Development
- the Committee for Social Development
- the Committee of the Centre.
The composition and quorum of the Statutory Committees shall be as prescribed in Standing Orders 46 and 47.
[The Lord Morrow]
[Mr P Weir]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without Division.
2.2 Motion – Establishment of Audit Committee
Proposed: That this Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 53, establishes a Standing Committee of the Assembly, to be known as the Audit Committee, to exercise the functions mentioned in section 66(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
[Ms C Ní Chuilín]
[Mr P Maskey]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without Division.
2.3 Motion – Assembly Commission Membership
Proposed: That, in accordance with Standing Order 74, the following shall be members of the Assembly Commission:
The Speaker (Ex officio)
Mr P Butler
Rev Dr R Coulter
Mr A Maginness
Mr S Moutray
Mr S Neeson
[Mr D McClarty]
[Mr B Armstrong]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
3. Appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Statutory Committees
3.1 The Speaker outlined the procedure for the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Statutory Committees.
3.2 The Speaker informed the House that he had been notified by the SDLP that Mr John Dallat would act as the party’s nominating officer for the purposes of the business on the Order Paper. The Speaker also informed the Assembly that Mr John O’Dowd would act as nominating officer for Sinn Fein.
3.3 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mrs Iris Robinson to be Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mrs Robinson indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Robinson as Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
3.4 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Mitchel McLaughlin to be Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Mr McLaughlin indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McLaughlin as Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
3.5 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Sammy Wilson to be Chairperson of the Committee for Education. Mr Wilson indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Wilson as Chairperson of the Committee for Education.
3.6 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Danny Kennedy to be Chairperson of the Committee of the Centre. Mr Kennedy indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Kennedy as Chairperson of the Committee of the Centre.
3.7 Mr John Dallat, the nominating officer for the SDLP, nominated Mr Mark Durkan to be Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Mr Durkan indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Durkan as Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
3.8 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Barry McElduff to be Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Mr McElduff indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McElduff as Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
3.9 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Dr William McCrea to be Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Dr McCrea indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Dr McCrea as Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
3.10 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Ms Sue Ramsey to be Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning. Ms Ramsey indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Ms Ramsey as Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.
3.11 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Gregory Campbell to be Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development. Mr Campbell indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Campbell as Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.
3.12 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Fred Cobain to be Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development. Mr Cobain indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Cobain as Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.
3.13 Mr John Dallat, the nominating officer for the SDLP, nominated Mr Patsy McGlone to be Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment. Mr McGlone indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McGlone as Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.
3.14 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Jim Wells to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development. Mr Wells indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Wells as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.
3.15 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Paul Maskey to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Mr Maskey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Maskey as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
3.16 Mr David Ford, the nominating officer for the Alliance Party, nominated Mrs Naomi Long to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Centre. Mrs Long indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Long as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of the Centre.
3.17 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Jimmy Spratt to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning. Mr Spratt indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Spratt as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.
3.18 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Tom Elliott to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr Elliott indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Elliott as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
3.19 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mrs Michelle O’Neill to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mrs O’Neill indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs O’Neill as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
3.20 Mr John Dallat, the nominating officer for the SDLP, nominated Mr Dominic Bradley to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education. Mr Bradley indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Bradley as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education.
3.21 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr David Hilditch to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development. Mr Hilditch indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Hilditch as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.
3.22 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Cathal Boylan to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment. Mr Boylan indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Boylan as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.
3.23 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Mervyn Storey to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Mr Storey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Storey as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
3.24 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr David McNarry to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Mr McNarry indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McNarry as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
4. Appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Standing Committees
4.1 The Speaker outlined the procedure for the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Standing Committees.
4.2 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Jeffrey Donaldson to be Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Mr Donaldson indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Donaldson as Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
4.3 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated himself to be Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr O’Dowd indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr O’Dowd as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
4.4 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Lord Morrow to be Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures. Lord Morrow indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Lord Morrow as Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.
4.5 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Roy Beggs to be Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Beggs indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Beggs as Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
4.6 Mr John Dallat, the nominating officer for the SDLP, nominated Mrs Carmel Hanna to be Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Priveleges. Mrs Hanna indicated her agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mrs Hanna as Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.
4.7 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Raymond McCartney to be Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Mr McCartney indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McCartney as Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
4.8 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Robin Newton to be Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr Newton indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Newton as Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
4.9 Mr John O’Dowd, the nominating officer for Sinn Féin, nominated Mr Gerry McHugh to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges. Mr McHugh indicated his agreement to accept the nomination via written notification.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr McHugh as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.
4.10 The Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party, nominated Mr Mervyn Storey to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures. Mr Storey indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Storey as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.
4.11 Sir Reg Empey, the nominating officer for the Ulster Unionist Party, nominated Mr Samuel Gardiner to be Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr Gardiner indicated his agreement to accept the nomination.
The Speaker confirmed the appointment of Mr Gardiner as Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
The sitting was suspended at 11.05 am.
The sitting resumed at 2 pm.
5. Membership of Statutory and Standing Committees
5.1 Motion – Membership of Statutory Committees
Proposed: That this Assembly adopts the membership of the Statutory Committees as detailed in NIA 1/06-07.
[Mr K McCarthy]
[Mrs N Long]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without Division.
The Membership of the Statutory Committees as detailed in NIA 1/06-07 is as follows:
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson); Mr Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson); Mr P J Bradley; Mr Thomas Burns; Mr Allan Bresland; Mr Trevor Clarke; Mr Willie Clarke; Mr William Irwin; Mr Gerry McHugh; Mr Francie Molloy; Mr George Savage.
Committee of the Centre:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson); Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson); Ms Martina Anderson; Mr Tom Elliott; Mr Barry McElduff; Mr Francie Molloy; Mr Stephen Moutray; Mrs Dolores Kelly; Mr Jim Shannon; Mr Jimmy Spratt; Mr Jim Wells.
Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure:
Mr Barry McElduff (Chairperson); Mr David McNarry (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Dominic Bradley; Mr Francie Brolly; Lord Browne; Mr David Burnside; Mr Paul Maskey; Mr Kieran McCarthy; Mr Nelson McCausland; Mr Pat Ramsey; Mr Jim Shannon.
Committee for Education:
Mr Sammy Wilson (Chairperson); Mr Dominic Bradley (Deputy Chairperson); Mrs Mary Bradley; Mr Paul Butler; Mr Jeffrey Donaldson; Mr Trevor Lunn; Mr Basil McCrea; Miss Michelle McIlveen; Ms Michelle O’Neill; Mr Ken Robinson; Mr Mervyn Storey.
Committee for Employment and Learning:
Ms Sue Ramsey (Chairperson); Mr Jimmy Spratt (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Alex Attwood; Mr Paul Butler;
Ms Anna Lo; Mr Nelson McCausland; Mr David McClarty; Mr Basil McCrea; Mrs Claire McGill; Mr Robin Newton; Mr Jim Wells.
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment:
Mr Mark Durkan (Chairperson); Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Leslie Cree; Mr Simon Hamilton; Ms Jennifer McCann; Dr Alasdair McDonnell; Mr Alan McFarland; Mr Mitchel McLaughlin; Mr Sean Neeson; Mr Robin Newton; Mr David Simpson.
Committee for the Environment:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson); Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Billy Armstrong; Mr Trevor Clarke; Mr David Ford; Mr Tommy Gallagher; Mr Samuel Gardiner; Mr Alex Maskey; Mr Ian McCrea; Mr Daithí McKay; Mr Peter Weir.
Committee for Finance and Personnel:
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin (Chairperson); Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Roy Beggs; Dr Stephen Farry; Mr Simon Hamilton; Mr Fra McCann; Ms Jennifer McCann; Mr Adrian McQuillan; Mr Declan O’Loan; Ms Dawn Purvis; Mr Peter Weir.
Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety:
Mrs Iris Robinson (Chairperson); Ms Michelle O’Neill (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Thomas Buchanan; Rev Dr Robert Coulter; Dr Kieran Deeny; Mr Alex Easton; Mr Tommy Gallagher; Mrs Carmel Hanna; Mr John McCallister; Ms Carál Ní Chuilín; Ms Sue Ramsey.
Committee for Regional Development:
Mr Fred Cobain (Chairperson); Mr Jim Wells (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Cathal Boylan; Mr Willie Clarke; Mr John Dallat; Mr William Irwin; Mr John McCallister; Mr Raymond McCartney; Mr Stephen Moutray; Mr George Robinson; Mr Brian Wilson.
Committee for Social Development:
Mr Gregory Campbell (Chairperson); Mr David Hilditch (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Mickey Brady; Mr Thomas Burns; Mr Fred Cobain; Mr Jonathan Craig; Ms Anna Lo; Mr Alban Maginness; Mr Fra McCann; Mrs Claire McGill; Miss Michelle McIlveen.
5.2 Motion – Membership of Standing Committees
Proposed: That this Assembly adopts the membership of the Standing Committees as detailed in NIA 2/06-07
[Mr PJ Bradley]
[Mr D O’Loan]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without Division.
The Membership of the Standing Committees as detailed in NIA 2/06-07 is as follows:
Assembly and Executive Review Committee:
Mr Jeffrey Donaldson (Chairperson); Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Alex Attwood; Mrs Carmel Hanna; Mr Danny Kennedy; Mr Nelson McCausland; Mr Ian McCrea; Mr Alan McFarland; Ms Carál Ní Chuilín; Mr John O’Dowd; Mr George Robinson.
Audit Committee:
Mr Robin Newton (Chairperson); Mr Samuel Gardiner (Deputy Chairperson); Dr Stephen Farry; Mr John O’Dowd; Mr Pat Ramsey.
Procedures Committee:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson); Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Francie Brolly; Lord Browne; Mr Willie Clarke; Mr Raymond McCartney; Mr David McClarty; Mr Adrian McQuillan; Mr Sean Neeson; Mr Declan O’Loan; Mr Ken Robinson.
Public Accounts Committee:
Mr John O’Dowd (Chairperson); Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Willie Clarke; Mr Jonathan Craig; Mr John Dallat; Mr Simon Hamilton; Mr David Hilditch; Mr Trevor Lunn; Mr Patsy McGlone; Mr Mitchel McLaughlin; Ms Dawn Purvis.
Standards and Privileges Committee:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson); Mr Gerry McHugh (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Allan Bresland; Mr Francie Brolly; Mr Willie Clarke; Rev Dr Robert Coulter; Mr Alex Easton; Mr David Hilditch; Mr Adrian McQuillan; Mr George Savage; Mr Brian Wilson.
6. Adjournment
6.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 2.05 pm
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
9 May 2007
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON
9 MAY 2007
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
7. Consultation Documents
8. Departmental Publications
DFP – Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Northern Ireland Competiveness Programme 2007-2013