No. 35-07/08
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2008
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 11 February 2008 to the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
3. Executive Committee Business
3.1 Motion - Suspension of Standing Orders
Proposed: That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 11 February 2008.
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
3.2 Motion - Supply Resolution for the 2007-2008 Spring Supplementary Estimates
Proposed: That this Assembly approves that a total sum, not exceeding £11,851,642,000, be granted out of the Consolidated Fund for or towards defraying the charges for Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation for the year ending 31 March 2008 and that total resources, not exceeding £14,429,839,000, be authorised for use by Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation for the year ending 31 March 2008 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Columns 2(c) and 3(c) of Table 1 in the volume of the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2007-08 that was laid before the Assembly on 31 January 2008.
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 2.06 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.30 pm with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
4. Question Time
4.1 Minister of Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Caitríona Ruane.
4.2 Minister for Employment and Learning
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Sir Reg Empey.
4.3 Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Nigel Dodds.
5. Private Notice Question - Clostridium Difficile
Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, replied to a Question to which he had been given private notice, tabled by Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.
6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)
6.1 Motion - Supply Resolution for the 2007-2008 Spring Supplementary Estimates
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
6.2 Motion - Supply Resolution for the 2008-2009 Vote on Account
Proposed: That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £5,335,212,000, be granted out of the Consolidated Fund on account for or towards defraying the charges for Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation for the year ending 31 March 2009 and that resources, not exceeding £6,493,908,000, be authorised, on account, for use by Northern Ireland Departments, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation for the year ending 31 March 2009 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Columns 4 and 6 of Table 1 in the Vote on Account 2008-09 document that was laid before the Assembly on 31 January 2008.
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
6.3 First Stage - Budget Bill (NIA 10/07)
The Rt Hon Peter Robinson, Minister of Finance and Personnel, introduced a Bill to authorise the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of certain sums for the service of the years ending 31st March 2008 and 2009; to appropriate those sums for specified purposes; to authorise the Department of Finance and Personnel to borrow on the credit of the appropriated sums; to authorise the use for the public service of certain resources for the years ending 31st March 2008 and 2009; and to revise the limits on the use of certain accruing resources in the year ending 31st March 2008.
Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 10/07).
Members were informed that the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel had provided the confirmation required in Standing Orders, and that the Bill would therefore proceed under accelerated passage.
6.4 Motion - Review of draft PPS 14
Proposed: That this Assembly notes the emerging findings of the review of draft Planning Policy Statement 14 ‘Sustainable Development in the Countryside’.
[Minister of the Environment]
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
7. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 6.52 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
11 February 2008
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
6 FEBRUARY TO 11 FEBRUARY 2008
- Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Budget Bill (Northern Ireland) 2008 - Orders in Council
- Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
National Museums Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2006/07 (NIA 92/07-08)
Department for Social Development – Charitable Donations and Bequests Account for year ended 31 March 2006 (NIA 95/07-08) - Assembly Reports
Report on the Public Health (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 8/07) Committee for Health Social Services and Public Safety
Report on Use of Consultants: Public Accounts Committee (16/07-08)
Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2006-07: Public Accounts Committee - 6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2008/25 Pig Production Development (Levy) Revocation Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/33 Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/37 The Zootechinal Standards (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/40 The Street Works (Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/44 The Eastburn Avenue, Ballymoney (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/45 The Social Security (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
S.R. 2008/46 Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (OFMDFM)
S.R. 2008/47 The Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 ( DEL)
S.R. 2008/50 The Teachers’ Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (NI) 2008 (DE)
S.R. 2008/51 The Social Security (National Insurance Numbers) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
S.R. 2008/54 Electricity (Offshore Wind and Water Driven Generating Stations) (Permitted Capacity) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DETI)
S.R. 2008/55 The Offshore Electricity Development (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DETI)
For information only:
S.R. 2008/38 The Bluetongue Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/43 The Extinguishment of Right to Use Vehicles on Roads (Lisburn) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD) - Consultation Documents
- Departmental Publications
Eight Report of the Equal Opportunities Unit – Supplement (DFP)
Strategic Resources Framework 2007/2008 (DHSSPS) - Agency Publications
- Westminster Publications
- Miscellaneous Publications