No. 16/07
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 2 JULY 2007
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. The Speaker’s Business
2.1 The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 29 June 2007 to the Budget Act (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Royal Assent had also been signified on 29 June 2007 to the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007.
3. Committee Business
3.1 Motion – Committee Membership – Business Committee
Proposed: That Mr Patsy McGlone replace Dr Alasdair McDonnell as a member of the Business Committee.
[Dr A McDonnell]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion – NHS Dental Treatment
Proposed: That this Assembly expresses concern about the lack of availability of NHS dental treatment and calls upon the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to act immediately to ensure that NHS treatment is available to all those who are entitled to it, in conjunction with a dental health strategy.
[Mr T Gallagher]
[Mrs C Hanna]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4.2 Motion – Accidents in the Construction Industry
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to ensure continued progress in addressing accident rates in the construction industry through the Buildsafe Northern Ireland initiative.
[Mr L Cree]
[Mr A McFarland]
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
The sitting was suspended at 2.14 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.30 pm.
5. Question Time
5.1 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey.
5.2 Minister for Regional Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Conor Murphy.
5.3 Minister for Social Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Margaret Ritchie.
5.4 Assembly Commission
Questions were put to, and answered by, Mr Sean Neeson, on behalf of the Assembly Commission.
6. Adjournment
Mr Thomas Burns spoke about the Antrim to Knockmore railway line.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 4.53 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
2 July 2007
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
27 JUNE to 2 JULY 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
Health Estates Agency Annual Report & Accounts for year ending 31 March 2007 (NIA 11/06-07)
Foods Standards Agency - Annual Report 2006/07 (NIA 12/06-07)
Northern Ireland Audit Office Resource Accounts for year ending March 2007 (NIA 34/06-07)
NI Audit Office Report on Job Evaluation in Education and Library Boards (NIA 60/06-07)
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Mineral Development Receipts & Payment Account for the year ended 31 March 2006 (NIA 73/06-07)
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Petroleum Production Receipts & Payment Account for the year ended 31 March 2006 (NIA 74/06-07)
5. Assembly Reports
Second Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees (NIA 75/06-07)
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2007/308 The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) (DOE)
S.R. 2007/312 The Harbour Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/313 The Folly Lane, Downpatrick (Stopping-Up Order) (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)
S.R. 2007/314 The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DARD)
For information purposes only:
S.R. 2007/302 (C. 19) The Road Traffic (2007 Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)
7. Consultation Documents
Proposals for an Ulster-Scots Academy - Public Consultation Document (DCAL)
8. Departmental Publications
9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications
Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act 2007 Chapter 8
Protecting the Interests of Consumers Annual Report 2006-2007 (HC 572)
Report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland 2006-2007 (HC 668)