No. 49-08/09
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 20 APRIL 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 - Cross-Sector Advisory Forum
The First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Cross-Sector Advisory Forum, following which he replied to questions.
2.2 Statement - Social Security Agency - Strategic Business Review
The Minister for Social Development, Ms Margaret Ritchie, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Social Security Agency - Strategic Business Review, following which she replied to questions.
3. Private Members’ Business
3.1 Motion - Childcare Strategy
Proposed: That this Assembly expresses its concern at the lack of availability of affordable, quality childcare; and calls on the Executive to implement a coherent and properly resourced childcare strategy.
[Ms J McCann]
[Ms S Ramsey]
[Ms M Anderson]
3.2 Amendment
Proposed: After the first ‘childcare’ insert:
‘and the lack of provision for people who require flexible arrangements to allow them to avail of working opportunities in the evenings, overnight and at weekends, particularly in the current economic climate’
[Ms D Purvis]
Debate ensued.
Debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) 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 for Regional Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Conor Murphy.
4.3 Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister, Mr Gregory Campbell.
5. Private Notice Question
5.1 Job Losses in Manufacturing Industry
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, replied to a Question to which she had been given private notice, tabled by Mr Alex Attwood.
6. Private Members’ Business
6.1 Motion - Childcare Strategy (cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the chair.
The Amendment being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
6.2 Motion - Loss of Nursing Posts
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to reject plans to cut 722 nursing posts, given his pledge to the Assembly to make efficiencies rather than cuts, and to re-direct resources towards front line patient services.
[Mrs I Robinson]
[Mr A Easton]
[Mr T Buchanan]
6.3 Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Safety’ and insert:
‘to review proposals from Health and Social Care Trusts to reduce nursing posts, including requesting from the Executive that the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is exempt from the Comprehensive Spending Review efficiency savings process thereby devoting more resources towards front line patient services.’
[Mr J McCallister]
[Mr B McCrea]
Debate ensued.
The Amendment being put, the Amendment fell (Division No. 1).
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 6.58 pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
20 April 2009
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
20 APRIL 2009
DIVISIONS
Division No. 1
Loss of Nursing Posts - Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Safety’ and insert:
‘to review proposals from Health and Social Care Trusts to reduce nursing posts, including requesting from the Executive that the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is exempt from the Comprehensive Spending Review efficiency savings process thereby devoting more resources towards front line patient services.’
[Mr J McCallister]
[Mr B McCrea]
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 9
Noes: 51
Ayes
Mr Armstrong, Mr Beggs, Mr Elliott, Mr Gardiner, Mr Kennedy, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Mr McFarland, Ms Purvis.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Gardiner and Mr McCallister.
Noes
Mr Boylan, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Bresland, Mr Brolly, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Burns, Mr Butler, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Dodds, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Durkan, Mr Easton, Dr Farry, Mrs Foster, Mr Hamilton, Mrs Hanna, Mr Irwin, Mrs Long, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCarthy, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mrs McGill, Mr McGlone, Miss McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mr Moutray, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Loan, Mrs O’Neill, Mr Poots, Mr P Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mrs I Robinson, Rt Hon P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buchanan and Mr Easton.
The Amendment fell.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
1 TO 20 APRIL 2009
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
InterTradeIreland Annual Report 2007 (NIA 95/08-09)
5. Assembly Reports
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)
S.R. 2009/134 The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DARD)
S.R. 2009/149 The Occupational Pensions Schemes (Contracting-out) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/150 Superannuation (Health and Social Care Bodies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DFP)
S.R. 2009/151 The Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/152 The General Ophthalmic Services (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/153 The Optical Charges and Payments (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/157 The Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)
S.R 2009/160 The Moira Road, Glenavy (Stopping-up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R 2009/159 The Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Treatment and Disposal) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2009) (DOE)
For Information Only:
S.R. 2009/102 Legal Advice and Assistance (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/103 Legal Advice and Assistance (Financial Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/104 Legal Aid (Financial Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/116 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Armagh) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/122 The Bank Insolvency (No.2) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/126 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/131 The Road Races (Mid-Antrim 150) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/136 The Road Races (Bush, Dungannon) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/138 (C.8) The Charities (2008 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/147 (C.9) The Pensions (2008 No.2 Act) (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/148 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/155 The Road Races (Cookstown 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R 2009/156 The Road Races (Garron Point Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/162 The Road Races (Tandragee 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/164 The Prohibition of Traffic (Chichester Street, Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/165 The Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents
Severance Arrangements for Councillors (DOE)
Local Government Reform -Establishment of Transition Committees in Statute (DOE)
Proposals for a Strangford Lough Pot Fishery Management Plan (DARD)
Equality Impact Assessment on Rural Anti Poverty and Social Inclusion Framework (DARD)
Guidance on Port Master Plans (DRD)
Proposals for a Waste Bill (DOE)
Improving Payment Practices in the Construction Industry in Northern Ireland - A Public Consultation on Proposals (DFP)
Consultation on the Drink Driving Limit in Northern Ireland, Penalties and Police Powers to Detect Drink Drivers (DOE)
9. Departmental Publications
Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Amendment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DFP)
Schools for the future: A Policy for Sustainable Schools (DE)
The Planning (Demolition - Description of Buildings) Direction 2009 (DOE)