No. 53-07/08
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 28 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 Statement - Way ahead for the Fishing Industry in Northern Ireland
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew, made a statement to the Assembly on the way ahead for the fishing industry in Northern Ireland, following which she replied to questions.
3. Committee Business
3.1 Motion - Ad Hoc Committee: Local Postal Services
Proposed: That, as provided for in Standing Order 48(7), this Assembly appoints an Ad Hoc Committee to consider, and make proposals for, partnerships that could enhance the economic case for viable local postal services, in accordance with its resolution of 21 April 2008; and to submit a report to the Assembly by 2 June 2008.
Composition:
DUP 4
Sinn Féin 3
UUP 2
SDLP 2
Alliance 1
Quorum: The quorum shall be five Members.
Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee may determine.
[Mr D McNarry]
[Mr PJ Bradley]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
3.2 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage - Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill (NIA 11/07)
Proposed: That, in accordance with Standing Order 31(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 31(2) be extended to 27 June 2008, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill (NIA 11/07).
[Chairperson, Committee for Finance and Personnel]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion - Review of Business Bureaucracy
Proposed: That this Assembly recognises the burden, in terms of time and money, placed upon business in the past by unnecessary bureaucracy, out of date regulations and the “gold plating” of EU legislation; and calls upon the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to investigate the potential for a widespread review of business bureaucracy in Northern Ireland, with the aim of simplifying and consolidating necessary regulation and eliminating that which is no longer required.
[Mr S Hamilton]
[Mr R Newton]
[Mr D Simpson]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4.2 Motion - Death of Raymond McCord Jnr
Proposed: That this Assembly notes with grave concern the report of the Police Ombudsman into the death of Raymond McCord Jnr and related matters; applauds the work of the McCord family’s campaign for justice; supports the ongoing criminal investigation into these matters; and calls on all individuals and organisations to cooperate fully with the Police Ombudsman and PSNI investigations.
[Mr A Attwood]
[Mr A Maginness]
[Mrs D Kelly]
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness.
5.2 Minister of the Environment
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster.
5.3 Minister of Finance and Personnel
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson.
5.4 Assembly Commission
Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.
6. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)
6.1 Motion - Death of Raymond McCord Jnr (cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
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 4.43 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
28 April 2008
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
23 APRIL TO 28 APRIL 2008
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Taxis Act ( Northern Ireland) 2008
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Safefood: Annual Report 2006 (NIA 69/07-08)
Northern Ireland Audit Office: Transforming Emergency Care in Northern Ireland (NIA 126/07-08)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2008/143 Donaghadee (Harbour Area) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/179 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
S.R. 2008/182 The Bann Road, Ballymoney (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/183 Fish Health (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/184 The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/187 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Comb) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/188 The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (FSA)
For information only:
S.R. 2008/180 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions ( Belfast) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
S.R. 2008/181 The Road Races (Lansdowne Supermoto, Portrush) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
7. Consultation Documents
Screening for Equality Impact Assessment up to 31 March 2008 (DETI)
8. Departmental Publications
9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications
11. Miscellaneous Publications
Criminal Injuries Compensation: Appeals Panel Northern Ireland: Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for year ended 31 st March 2007