No. 26-08/09

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2009

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 - Outcome of the December Fisheries Council Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the outcome of the December Fisheries Council meeting, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the chair.

2.2 First Stage - Financial Assistance Bill (NIA 4/08)

The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, introduced a Bill to enable the making by Northern Ireland Departments of schemes for financial assistance in certain circumstances.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 4/08).

2.3 Further Consideration Stage - Public Authorities (Reform) Bill (NIA 19/07)

The junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Public Authorities (Reform) Bill be agreed.

No Amendments were tabled.

NIA Bill 19/07 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

2.4 Final Stage - Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill (NIA 21/07)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey, moved that the Final Stage of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill be agreed.

NIA Bill (21/07) passed Final Stage.

3. Committee Business

3.1 Motion - Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland

Proposed: That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (7/08/09R) on its inquiry into the development of a museums policy for Northern Ireland.

[Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure]

Debate ensued.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker in the chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson.

4.2 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Ms Michelle Gildernew.

4.3 Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Gregory Campbell.

5. Committee Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion - Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.

The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion - Penny Product

Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to address the financial difficulties being experienced by District Councils in the calculation of the Penny Product, by initiating a process of consultation involving Councils and Land and Property Services, for the purpose of producing an accurate register of rateable properties.

[Mr M McLaughlin]
[Ms J McCann]
[Mr P Maskey]

6.2 Amendment

Proposed: At end insert:

‘; and to consider urgently measures to provide transitional relief to those Councils that are carrying forward a significant loss from the 2007-2008 financial year due to differences between the estimated Penny Product used to calculate the level of district rates and subsequent finalisation figures provided by Land and Property Services.’

[Mr S Farry] [R]
[Mr S Neeson] [R]

Debate ensued.

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 5.41 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
12 January 2009

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
16 DECEMBER 2008 TO 12 JANUARY 2009

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
   Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
   Financial Assistance Bill (NIA Bill 4/08)
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
   Companies Registry Annual Report 2007/08 (NIA 37/08-09)
   Registry of Credit Unions and Industrial & Provident Societies Annual Report 2007/08 (NIA 38/08-09)
   Salmon and Inland Fisheries Annual Report 2007 (NIA 63/08-09)
   Examiner of Statutory Rules Session 2008-2009: Seventh Report to the Assembly and Appropriate Committees (NIA 70/08-09)
   Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Northern Ireland (NIA 73/08-09)
5. Assembly Reports
   First Report on the Arrangements for the Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters (Assembly and Executive Review Committee)
6. Statutory Rules
   (The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
   S.R. 2008/496 The Seed Potatoes (Levy) (Revocation) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
   S.R. 2008/499 Plant Protection Products (Amendment No 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
   S.R. 2008/500 The European Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
   S.R. 2008/501 The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
   S.R. 2008/502 The Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
   S.R. 2008/503 The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
   S.R. 2008/504 The Housing Benefit (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
   S.R. 2008/506 The Housing Benefit (Executive Determinations) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DSD)
   S.R. 2008/508 The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DARD)
   S.R. 2009/2 The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DARD)
   S.R. 2009/6 The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
   S.R. 2009/7 The Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DFP)
   S.R. 2009/9 The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)
   

   For Information Only :

   S.R. 2008/509 The One-Way Traffic (Londonderry) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DRD)
   S.R. 2009/1 The Road Races (Rally Ireland) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
7. Consultation Documents
   Revision to the Pollution Prevention & Control and the Radioactive Substances Charging Schemes (DOE)
   Implementation of the Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators Directive (2006/66/EC) - Waste Battery Collection and Recycling Provisions (DOE)
   Draft River Basin Management Plans (DOE)
   Revision to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (DOE)
   Consultation on Draft Gas (Supplier of Last Resort) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DETI)
   Consultation on the European Commission's Review of the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 (DARD)
8. Departmental Publications
   Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan 2008 – 2013 (DHSSPS)
   Revision to the Pollution Prevention & Control and the Radioactive Substances Charging Schemes (DOE)
   Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland 2007-2008 (DOE)
   Air Pollution in Northern Ireland 2007 (DOE)
   Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment No.3) Scheme ( Northern Ireland) 2008 (DFP)
9. Agency Publications
10. Westminster Publications
    Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future (Cm 7506)
    SI 2008/3140 The Social Security (Child Benefit Disregard) Regulations 2008
    SI 2008/XX The Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Amendment) ( Northern Ireland) Order 2009
11. Miscellaneous Publications
    Monitoring Report No. 18 A Profile of the Northern Ireland Workforce (Equality Commission for Northern Ireland)