Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

No. 17-09/10

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2009

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 3 November 2009 to the Rates (Amendment) Act ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

3. Business Motion

3.1 Proposed:That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 16 November 2009.

[Lord Morrow]
[Mr P Ramsey]

The Question being put, the Motion was carried with cross-community support nemine contradicente.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Statement - Together Towards Entitlement Report

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) in the Chair.

The Minister of Education, Ms Catriona Ruane, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the ‘Together Towards Entitlement’ Report, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Further Consideration Stage - Financial Provisions Bill (NIA 6/08)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Financial Provisions Bill be agreed.

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Bill NIA 6/08 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

4.3 Motion - Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

Proposed: That the Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 be approved.

[Minister for Social Development]

Debate ensued.

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

4.4 Motion - Legislative Consent Motion - UK Child Poverty Bill

Proposed:That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the Child Poverty Bill introduced in the House of Commons on 11 June 2009.

[First Minister and deputy First Minister]

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey.

5.2 Regional Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Conor Murphy.

6. Committee Business

6.1 Motion - Report on the Inquiry into Obesity

Proposed: That this Assembly approves the report of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on its inquiry into obesity; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, in liaison with Executive colleagues and relevant bodies, to bring forward a timetable for implementing the recommendations contained in the report.

[Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety]

Debate ensued.

The Speaker in the Chair.

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

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion - EU Fisheries Council

Proposed: That this Assembly notes the proposals submitted by the EU Fisheries Council to reduce fish quotas and days at sea; acknowledges that Irish sea stocks were fished in a sustainable manner during the past year; expresses concern in relation to the implications for the fishing industry should these proposals be adopted; calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet with the United Kingdom Fisheries Minister ahead of the Council meeting to convey the importance of these negotiations with regard to the future viability of the Northern Ireland fishing fleet; and calls on the Minister to participate personally and directly at the December meeting of the EU Fisheries Council, to ensure that these proposals are rejected.

[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Mr J Shannon]
[Mr W Irwin]

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the Chair.

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 6.10 pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
16 November 2009

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM

11 November - 16 November 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

South Eastern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Annual Report and Accounts

1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009

Southern Education and Library Board Annual Report and Accounts 2008-2009

Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 (DHSSPS)

Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2008-2009 (DHSSPS)

5. Assembly Reports

Addendum to the Report on the Diseases of Animals Bill (NIA 22/07)

(NIA 21/09/10R) (Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development)

Inquiry into Obesity (NIA10/09/10R) (Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety)

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

S.R. 2009/359 Groundwater (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)

S.R. 2009/360 The Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE and DARD)

S.R. 2009/361 The Environmental Liability (Prevention and Remediation) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)

S.R. 2009/362 The Food Labelling (Declaration of Allergens) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)

S.R. 2009/364 The Presumption of Death Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DFP)

S.R. 2009/366 The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ( DEL)

S.R. 2009/367 Categories of Tourist Establishment (Statutory Criteria) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (DETI)

For Information Only:
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Consultation Documents

Draft Addendum to Planning Policy Statement 7: Safeguarding the Character of Established Residential Areas (DOE)

9. Departmental Publications

DFP Memorandum on the First Report from the PAC Session 2009-2010, The Investigation of Suspected Contract Fraud

Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Northern Ireland 2008 (DHSSPS)

Review of the Support Provision for Carers (DHSSPS and DSD)

Public Attitudes to Health & Social Care Services in Northern Ireland 2009 (DHSSPS)

ERINI Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 (OFMdFM)

10. Agency Publications
11. Westminster Publications
12. Miscellaneous Publications