Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo
No. 47-07/08

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 7 APRIL 2008

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 Further Consideration Stage - Public Health (Amendment) Bill (NIA 8/07)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Public Health (Amendment) Bill be agreed.

No Amendments were tabled.

NIA Bill 8/07 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3. Private Members’ Business

3.1 Forkhill Military Site

Proposed: That this Assembly notes with concern the role of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the redevelopment of the Forkhill Military Site, and believes that the Department for Social Development should consider taking the lead role in the matter.

[Lord Morrow]
[Dr W McCrea]
[Mr T Clarke]

3.2 Amendment No. 1

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

‘the role of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the redevelopment of the Forkhill Military Site, and believes the department should continue to work with the Department for Social Development on it; and calls on the Department of Finance and Personnel to reconsider its position on this project to ensure that the best possible project is delivered for the people of Forkhill and the surrounding district.’

[Mr D Bradley]

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.

3.3 Amendment No. 2

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

‘and, inter alia, for the purposes of paragraph 1.4(f) of the Northern Ireland Ministerial Code, determines that the site shall not be acquired by, or on behalf of, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.’

[Mr D McNarry]
[Mr T Elliott]

Debate ensued.

Amendment No. 1 being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 1).

Amendment No. 2 being put, the Amendment fell after the Assembly divided on a cross-community basis (Division No. 2).

The Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division No. 3).

3.4 Motion - Further Education Provision for Young People with Disabilities

Proposed: That this Assembly expresses concern at the lack of further education courses specifically targeted at young people with learning and physical disabilities; recognises the lack of provision for disabled young people over the age of 19; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to provide sufficient further educational opportunities to ensure that these young people achieve their full potential.

[Ms M O’Neill]
[Ms S Ramsay]
[Mr P Butler]

3.5 Amendment

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

‘its continued commitment to securing training and employment opportunities where appropriate for young people with disabilities; and awaits the outcome of the review of such provision undertaken by the Minister for Employment and Learning.’

[Mr B McCrea]
[Mr D McClarty]

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey.

4.2 Minister for Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Conor Murphy.

4.3 Minister for Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Margaret Ritchie.

The Speaker in the chair.

5. Private Notice Questions

5.1 Post Office Closures

The junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, replied to a Question to which the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister had been given private notice, tabled by Mr Alex Attwood.

5.2 Mid-Ulster Hospital

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey, replied to a Question to which he had been given private notice, tabled by Mrs Michelle O’Neill.

6. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion - Further Education Provision for Young People with Disabilities (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

The Amendment being put, the Amendment was made without division

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 5.32 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
7 April 2008

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

7 APRIL 2008

DIVISIONS

Division No. 1

Forkhill Military Site – Amendment No. 1

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

‘the role of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the redevelopment of the Forkhill Military Site, and believes the department should continue to work with the Department for Social Development on it; and calls on the Department of Finance and Personnel to reconsider its position on this project to ensure that the best possible project is delivered for the people of Forkhill and the surrounding district.’

[Mr D Bradley]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 41
Noes: 44

AYES

Mr Adams, Ms Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Brolly, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Ms Gildernew, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ruane.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr P J Bradley and Mr Burns

NOES

Mr Beggs, Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Burnside, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Sir Reg Empey, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McFarland, Mr McGimpsey, Miss McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Mr K Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr T Clarke and Mr Irwin

Amendment No. 1 fell.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

7 APRIL 2008

DIVISIONS

Division No. 2

Forkhill Military Site – Amendment No. 2

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

‘and, inter alia, for the purposes of paragraph 1.4(f) of the Northern Ireland Ministerial Code, determines that the site shall not be acquired by, or on behalf of, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.’

[Mr D McNarry]
[Mr T Elliott]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided on a cross-community basis.

Ayes: 46
Noes: 42

AYES

Unionist:

Mr Beggs, Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Burnside, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Cobain, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Sir Reg Empey, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McFarland, Mr McGimpsey, Miss McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Mr K Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr S Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Kennedy and Mr McCallister.

NOES

Nationalist:

Mr Adams, Ms Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Brolly, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Gallagher, Ms Gildernew, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Mr McCartney, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Ms Ruane.

Other:

Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Boylan and Ms S Ramsey.

Total votes        88   Total Ayes      46        [52.3%]
Nationalist Votes 38  Nationalist Ayes 0         [0.0%]
Unionist Votes   46   Unionist Ayes 46        [100.0%]
Other Votes        4   Other Ayes       0         [0.0%]

Amendment No. 2 fell on a cross-community basis.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

7 APRIL 2008

DIVISIONS

Division No. 3

Forkhill Military Site – Motion

Proposed: That this Assembly notes with concern the role of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the redevelopment of the Forkhill Military Site, and believes that the Department for Social Development should consider taking the lead role in the matter.

[Lord Morrow]
[Dr W McCrea]
[Mr T Clarke]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 46
Noes: 43

AYES

Mr Beggs, Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Burnside, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Cobain, Mr Craig, Mr Cree, Mr Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Sir Reg Empey, Mrs Foster, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Mr McFarland, Mr McGimpsey, Miss McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Mr K Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Savage, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr S Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr T Clarke and Mr Irwin.

NOES

Mr Adams, Ms Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Brolly, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Ms Gildernew, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCartney, Dr McDonnell, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Mr Neeson, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Ms Ruane.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Burns and Mr McElduff.

The Motion was carried.

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PETITION OF CONCERN

MOTION: FORKHILL MILITARY SITE; AMENDMENT NO. 2

Date to be debated: 7 APRIL 2008

The undersigned Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly present this Petition of Concern in accordance with Standing Order 27.

NAME CARÁL NÍ CHUILÍN
CONOR MURPHY
JOHN O’DOWD
DAITHÍ MCKAY
FRANCIE MOLLOY
FRANCIE BROLLY
JENNIFER MCCANN
ALEX MASKEY
RAYMOND MCCARTNEY
MARTINA ANDERSON
CAITRÍONA RUANE
BARRY MCELDUFF
MITCHEL MCLAUGHLIN
CLAIRE MCGILL
MICHELLE O’NEILL
MICHELLE GILDERNEW
MICKEY BRADY
MARTIN MCGUINNESS
SUE RAMSEY
PAUL MASKEY
PATSY MCGLONE
TOMMY GALLAGHER
PJ BRADLEY
MARY BRADLEY
DECLAN O’LOAN
DOMINIC BRADLEY
THOMAS BURNS
CARMEL HANNA
JOHN DALLAT
ALASDAIR MCDONNELL

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
2 APRIL TO 7 APRIL 2008

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.)

SR 2008/ General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DFP)

SR 2008/ The Insolvency (Disqualification from Office: General) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DETI)

SR 2008/114 Seeds (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)

SR 2008/159 The Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (OFMDFM)

For information only:

SR 2008/142 The Health and Social Services Trusts (Originating Capital) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DHSSPS)

SR 2008/147 (C.7) The Welfare Reform (2007 Act) (Commencement No. 4 and Consequential Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)

SR 2008/150 The Waiting Restrictions (Eglantine Avenue, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)

SR 2008/151 The Bus Lane (Smithfield Street, Lisburn) (Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)

SR 2008/152 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)

SR 2008/155 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)

7. Consultation Documents

8. Departmental Publications

Labour Market Bulletin 21 (DEL)

SI 2008/692 (C.27) The Police Act 1997 (Commencement No. 11) Order 2008 (NIO)

Supporting Pupils with Medication Needs (DE/DHSSPS)

9. Agency Publications

10. Westminster Publications

11. Miscellaneous Publications