No. 20-08/09
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2008
The Assembly met at 10.30 am, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Executive Committee Business
2.1 Statement - Draft PPS 21: Sustainable Development in the Countryside
The Minister of the Environment, Mr Sammy Wilson, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the draft Planning Policy Statement 21 relating to sustainable development in the countryside, following which he replied to questions.
2.2 Statement - Taking Forward the Review of Public Administration in Education
The Minister of Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, made a statement to the Assembly on taking forward the Review of Public Administration in education, following which she replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.
2.3 First Stage - Education Bill (NIA 3/08)
The Minister of Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, introduced a Bill to provide for the establishment and functions of the education and skills authority; to make further provision about education, educational services and youth services; and for connected purposes.
Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 3/08).
The sitting was suspended at 12.36 pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00 pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
3. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)
3.1 Motion - Accelerated passage - Pensions (No. 2) Bill (NIA 2/08)
- Proposed: That the Pensions (No. 2) Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.
- [Minister for Social Development]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.
3.2 Second Stage - Pensions (No. 2) Bill (NIA 2/08)
The Minister for Social Development, Ms Margaret Ritchie, moved that the Second Stage of the Pensions (No. 2) Bill (NIA 2/08) be agreed.
Debate ensued.
NIA Bill 2/08 passed Second Stage.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion - Construction Industry
Proposed: That this Assembly expresses concern at the crisis in the construction industry; notes the significant impact this is having on employment in the building sector and on the wider economy; and calls on the Executive to secure action that will achieve-
- a commitment from all major financial institutions that they will handle the borrowings of construction companies sympathetically;
- meaningful discussions between local financial institutions, the Executive and the Construction and Property Group, as well as other representatives of the construction industry;
- the reintroduction of liquidity into the market by ensuring that affordable mortgages are available, particularly to first time buyers;
- due protection against repossession for vulnerable households from both companies and the Courts; and
- an urgent review of the budget by the Executive to accelerate spending on public construction as set out in the Investment Strategy, including social housing.
[Dr A McDonnell]
[Mr P McGlone]
[Mr D O’Loan]
4.2 Amendment
Proposed: At end insert:
- ‘a fundamental reform of the planning system to enable economic and social development, including quicker turnaround of planning applications.’
[Mr M McLaughlin]
[Mr B McElduff]
Debate ensued.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.
The Amendment being put, the Amendmentwas made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
4.3 Motion - Carbon Neutrality of the Northern Ireland Assembly
The following Motion stood on the Order Paper.
Proposed: That this Assembly calls upon the Assembly Commission to draw up an action plan to ensure that all of the buildings used by the Northern Ireland Assembly are carbon neutral by the end of March 2010.
[Mr J Wells]
[Mr B Wilson]
The Motion was not moved.
4.4 Motion - Voluntary Sector
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Executive to produce a policy paper committing itself to strengthening the relationship between Government and the voluntary sector, thereby developing an important asset for the whole community.
[Ms A Lo]
[Mrs N Long]
[Mr K McCarthy]
[Mr T Lunn]
4.5 Amendment
Proposed: At end insert:
‘; urges Ministers to review the impact of efficiency savings and other departmental decisions on the sector and those who depend on its services; notes the downturn in European Union funding across the sector; and further calls for better cross-departmental funding to support the delivery of Programme for Government targets using the third sector’s capacity.’
[Mr A Maginness]
[Mr T Burns]
[Mrs M Bradley]
Debate ensued.
The Amendment being put, the Amendmentwas made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
5. Private Notice Question
5.1 Calcast Ltd
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, replied to a Question to which he had been given private notice, tabled by Mr Raymond McCartney.
6. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 6.09 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
25 November 2008
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY ON
25 NOVEMBER 2008
- Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Orders in Council
- Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
- Assembly Reports
- Statutory Rules
(The department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2008/451 The Eggs and Chicks (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/456 The Scrapie (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
S.R. 2008/458 The Mutual Recognition of Driving Disqualifications ( Northern Ireland and Ireland) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DOE) - Consultation Documents
Proposed Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
Planning Policy Statement 21 Sustainable Development in the Countryside (DOE) - Departmental Publications
- Agency Publications
- Westminster Publications
- Miscellaneous Publications
Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:
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
Proceedings as at 25 NOVEMBER 2008
Session 2008-2009
Executive Bills
Title & Bill Number |
First Stage |
Second Stage |
Committee Stage due to Conclude |
Committee Report Ordered to be Printed |
Consideration Stage
|
Further Consideration Stage |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*Charities Bill NIA Bill 9/07 |
10.12.07 |
15.01.08 |
27.06.08 |
01.05.08 |
03.06.08 |
17.06.08 |
30.06.08 |
09.09.08 |
*Building Regulations Bill NIA Bill 11/07 |
25.02.08 |
04.03.08 |
27.06.08 |
11.06.08 |
|
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|
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*Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill NIA Bill 15/07 |
12.05.08 |
20.05.08 |
12.12.08 |
|
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*Public Authorities (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 19/07 |
17.06.08 |
30.06.08 |
12.12.08 |
|
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*Civil Registration Bill NIA Bill 20/07 |
17.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
20.03.09 |
|
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*Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill NIA Bill 21/07 |
23.06.08 |
01.07.08 |
05.12.08 |
14.11.08 |
|
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*Diseases of Animals Bill NIA Bill 22/07 |
30.06.08 |
15.09.08 |
17.02.09 |
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*Presumption of Death Bill NIA Bill 23/07 |
01.07.08 |
15.09.08 |
16.01.09 |
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/Pensions (No. 2) Bill NIA Bill 2/08 |
17.11.08 |
25.11.08 |
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Education Bill NIA Bill 3/08 |
25.11.08 |
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Session 2008-2009
Non-Executive Bills
Title & Bill Number |
First Stage |
Second Stage |
Committee Stage due to Conclude |
Committee Report Ordered to be Printed |
Consideration Stage
|
Further Consideration Stage |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
*Carers Allowance Bill NIA Bill 13/07 |
31.03.08 |
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Community Use of School Premises Bill NIA Bill 1/08 |
13.10.08 |
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