No. 3-07/08
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2007
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement – Additional Dentistry Funding
Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, made a statement to the Assembly on additional dentistry funding, following which he replied to questions.
3. Committee Business
3.1 Motion – Extension of Committee Stage: Taxis Bill (NIA Bill 4/07)
Proposed: That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(2) be extended to 7 December 2007, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Taxis Bill (NIA Bill 4/07).
[Chairperson, Committee for the Environment]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion – Ad Hoc Committee on Suicide
Proposed: That this Assembly shares the growing concern about the level of suicide, particularly among our young people, and, pursuant to Standing Order 48(7), appoints an Ad Hoc Committee, to –
Examine the delivery of services and support to people who may be at risk from suicide; make recommendations to the Executive; and present its report to the Assembly by 10 December 2007.
Composition: DUP 4
SF 3
UUP 2
SDLP 1
Other Parties 1
Quorum: The quorum shall be five.
Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee shall determine.
[Mr G Adams]
[Ms C Ní Chuilín]
4.2 Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘people’ and insert:
‘and refers this issue to the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee to examine, as a matter of urgency, the delivery of services and support to people who may be at risk from suicide; make recommendations to the Executive; and present its report to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity, but not later than 12 February 2008.
[Mrs I Robinson]
[Mr T Buchanan]
After debate, the Motion was, by leave, withdrawn.
The sitting was suspended at 2.11 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.30 pm with the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Minister of Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Caitríona Ruane.
5.2 Minister for Employment and Learning
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Sir Reg Empey.
5.3 Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Nigel Dodds.
6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
6.1 Motion – Free Public Transport for Women from the age of 60
Proposed: That this Assembly, in the promotion of equality for all in Northern Ireland, calls upon the Minister for Regional Development to introduce free public transport for women from the age of 60.
[Mr K McCarthy]
6.2 Amendment No. 1
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:
‘, mindful of policy elsewhere in the United Kingdom, calls upon the Minister for Regional Development, subject to budgetary considerations, to introduce free public transport for women and men at the age of 60.’
[Mr R Beggs]
The Speaker in the chair.
6.3 Amendment No. 2
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘to’ and insert:
‘consider the introduction of free public transport for everyone over the age of 60.’
[Mr J Wells]
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) 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.
7. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 5.15 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
17 September 2007
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
12 SEPTEMBER to 17 SEPTEMBER 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
Department of Education Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 7/07-08)
Department of Education – Teachers’ Superannuation Annual Scheme Statements for the year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 8/07-08)
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Resource Accounts for year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 15/07-08)
HPSS Superannuation Scheme Resource Accounts for year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 16/07-08)
Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation Resource Accounts for year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 18/07-08)
Eastern Board HSS Trust Accounts Volume 1 for the year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 32/07-08)
Eastern Board HSS Trust Accounts Volume 2 for the year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 33/07-08)
Western Board HSS Trust Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 34/07-08)
Northern Ireland HSS Board Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (NIA 35/07-08)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
For information only:
S.R. 2007/376 The Supreme Court Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/377 The Supreme Court (Non-Contentious Probate) Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/378 The County Court Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/379 The Magistrates' Courts Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/380 The Judgement Enforcement Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007
S.R. 2007/381 The Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007