No. 17/07

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 3 JULY 2007

The Assembly met at 10.30 am, the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the Chair

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Private Members’ Business

2.1 Motion – Racial Equality Strategy

Proposed: That this Assembly urges the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to ensure that the second Implementation Action Plan of the Racial Equality Strategy fully and rigorously addresses issues of racial equality for minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland.

[Ms A Lo]
[Mrs N Long]
[Dr S Farry]

2.2 Amendment

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘to’ and insert:

‘review, as a matter of urgency, progress on implementation of the Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005-2010 and the First Annual Implementation Plan; and to bring forward proposals for its own detailed plans for the period 2008-2011 to achieve racial equality and an inclusive society for our increasingly diverse community.’

[Mr G McHugh]

Debate ensued.

The Amendment being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

2.3 Motion – Respite Provision

Proposed: That this Assembly demands improved respite provision for those with special needs.

[Mrs I Robinson]

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 1.05 pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00 pm.

The Speaker in the chair.

2.4 Motion – Victims

Proposed: That this Assembly urges the Executive to implement the recommendations of the final report by the Interim Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, entitled ‘Support for Victims and Survivors: Addressing the Human Legacy’.

[Mr D Kennedy]
[Mr T Elliott]

2.5 Amendment No. 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘urges’ and insert:

‘the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to bring forward proposals, after the summer recess, for a new policy for victims and survivors, having due regard to the recommendations in the Interim Commissioner’s report ‘Support for Victims and Survivors: Addressing the Human Legacy’.’

[Mr S Moutray]
[Mr G Campbell]
[Rt Hon Mr J Donaldson]

2.6 Amendment No. 2

Proposed: At end insert:

‘; and further urges the establishment of a Victims’ and Survivors’ Forum.’

[Mrs D Kelly]
[Mr A Attwood]

Debate ensued.

Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment was made (Division 1).

Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

2.7 Motion – Rural Dwellings

Proposed: That this Assembly notes that members of the farming community can apply for retirement dwellings, and asks the Minister of the Environment to apply the same rationale to other countryside businesses, such as pubs and restaurants, allowing them to apply for the same occupancy tie relief, or replacement dwellings, and to have the same rights as other rural businesses.

[Mr J Shannon]

2.8 Amendment No. 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘notes’ and insert:

‘the right of eligible farmers to apply for retirement dwellings, and asks that the Minister for Regional Development (a) consults with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to review the present farm viability criteria; and (b) carries out an assessment of the extension of that eligibility to other established rural businesses.’

[Mr J Dallat]
[Mr PJ Bradley]

2.9 Amendment No. 2

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Minister’ and insert:

‘for Regional Development to consider applying the same rationale to other countryside businesses, when the need exists.’

[Mr G Robinson]

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.

Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment was made without division.

Amendment No. 2 was not put.

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

3. Adjournment

Mr Daithí McKay spoke on lignite mining in North Antrim.

Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

The Assembly adjourned at 5.38 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

3 July 2007

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

3 JULY 2007

DIVISIONS

Division No. 1

Victims – Amendment No. 1

Proposed: Leave out all after ‘urges’ and insert:

‘the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to bring forward proposals, after the summer recess, for a new policy for victims and survivors, having due regard to the recommendations in the Interim Commissioner’s report ‘Support for Victims and Survivors: Addressing the Human Legacy’.’

[Mr S Moutray]
[Mr G Campbell]
[Rt Hon Mr J Donaldson]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 56
Noes: 27

Ayes

Mr Adams, Ms Anderson, Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr Bresland, Mr Brolly, Mr Buchanan, Mr Butler, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Doherty, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mrs Foster, Ms Gildernew, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McHugh, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McQuillan, Mr Molloy, Mr Moutray, Mr Murphy, Mr Neeson, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr Paisley Jnr, Rt Hon Ian Paisley, Ms S Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Shannon, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr B Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr I McCrea and Mr Shannon

Noes

Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Burns, Rev Dr Robert Coulter, Mr Cree, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Mr Gallagher, Mrs Hanna, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kennedy, Mr A Maginness, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McFarland, Mr McGimpsey, Mr McGlone, Mr McNarry, Mr O’Loan, Ms Purvis, Ms Ritchie, Mr K Robinson, Mr Savage.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Elliott and Mr McNarry

The Amendment was made.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON

3 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

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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

S.R. 2007/315 The Newton Heights, Belfast (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)

S.R. 2007/316 The Elgin Street, Belfast (Footpath) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DRD)

S.R. 2007/317 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)

S.R. 2007/318 The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) (Offences) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)

S.R. 2007/319 The Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DOE)

S.R. 2007/321 Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)

S.R. 2007/322 The Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (DETI)

7. Consultation Documents

8. Departmental Publications

9. Agency Publications

10. Westminster Publications

11. Miscellaneous Publications

 

NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION

EXECUTIVE BILLS

PROCEEDINGS AS AT 3 JULY 2007

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: Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage: 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: 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

Executive Bills

Title & Bill Number	First Stage	Second Stage	Committee Stage Extension	Committee Stage Report	Consideration Stage Concluded	Further Consideration Stage	Final Stage	Royal Assent
**Welfare Reform Bill (NIA Bill 1/07)	4.06.07	12.06.07	N/A	N/A	18.06.07	19.06.07	25.06.07	29.06.07
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA Bill 2/07)	5.06.07	19.06.07
**Budget Bill (NIA Bill 3/07)	11.06.07	12.06.07	N/A	N/A	18.06.07	19.06.07	25.06.07	29.06.07
Taxis Bill (NIA Bill 4/07)	11.06.07	26.06.07
Libraries Bill (NIA Bill 5/07)	11.06.07	19.06.07

**Bills which are granted accelerated passage do not pass through a Committee Stage.