Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

No. 56-08/09

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 18 MAY 2009

The Assembly met at noon, the Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) in the Chair

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 The Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker would be absent from the House, as he was away on official Assembly business.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Statement - Swine Flu

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the outbreak of Swine Flu, following which he replied to questions.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Ad Hoc Committee: Draft Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendment) ( Northern Ireland) Order 2009

Proposed:
That, as provided for in Standing Order 53(1), this Assembly appoints an ad hoc committee to consider the proposal for a Draft Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendment) ( Northern Ireland) Order 2009, referred by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and to submit a report to the Assembly by 30 June 2009.

Composition: DUP 4
  Sinn Féin 3
  UUP 2
  SDLP 2
  Other parties 1

Quorum: The quorum shall be five members.

Procedure: The procedures of the Committee shall be such as the Committee shall determine.

[Mr F Cobain]
[Mr T Burns]

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

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion - Health Provision for Older People

Proposed:
That this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to reconfigure and enhance services for older people to ensure that these services are integrated, person-centred and well-staffed; that the dignity of the individual is promoted; that information is communicated effectively to patients and relatives by health professionals; that inpatients receive a nutritional diet; and that personal care is provided free of charge to all those with medical need.

[Mrs I Robinson]
[Mr T Buchanan]
[Mr A Easton]

Debate ensued.

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

5.2 Motion - Restructuring of the Executive and Assembly

Proposed: That this Assembly supports, in principle, the restructuring of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Assembly in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to update the Assembly on the proposals for the creation of an Efficiency Review Panel, as announced on 9 April 2009, and to agree to implement a review and produce a report on the issue of the number of MLAs and government Departments in the next Assembly, within the next six months.

[Mr D McNarry]

5.3 Amendment

Proposed:
Leave out all after ‘ supports’ and insert:
‘ improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government; recognises the need for new scrutiny and oversight arrangements in the Assembly to permanently pursue such ends; calls on the First and deputy First Minister to make a statement on their proposals for an Efficiency Review Panel; notes the review procedures set out in the Belfast Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to provide for agreed changes to the institutions, including the size and structure of the Assembly and the institutional workings of the Executive; further notes the role of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee in examining such matters; calls on that Committee to accelerate consideration of changes to the number of MLAs and the number of government Departments; and asks it to produce a report this year outlining proposals which respect the principles of proportional representation and inclusion.’

[Mr M Durkan]
[Mr A Attwood]

Debate ensued.

Debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

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

6.2 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

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

6.3 Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure

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

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion - Restructuring of the Executive and Assembly (cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Amendment being put, the Amendment fell without division.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

The Assembly adjourned at 4.45 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
18 May 2009

 

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
13 to 18 MAY 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

Financial Auditing and Reporting: 2007-2008. General Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (NIA 115/08-09)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Financial Provisions Bill (Committee for Finance and Personnel)

6. Statutory Rules

(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only.)

S.R. 2009/166 The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (General) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)

S.R 2009/190 The Ridgeway Street, Belfast (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)

For Information Only :

S.R 2009/187 The Taxis (Ballymena) Bye-Laws ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)

S.R. 2009/193 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballymoney) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)

Written Ministerial Statements

Consultation Documents

Proposal for a River Bann Navigation Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)

Consultation on the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)

9. Departmental Publications

Review of Public Administration (DE)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

Miscellaneous Publications