No. 25-09/10
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 11 JANUARY 2010
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair
1. Personal Prayer or Meditation
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Matters of the Day
Mr David Ford made a statement, under Standing Order 24, in relation to the attempted murder of a Police Constable, on Friday 8 January 2010. Party representatives were also called to speak on the matter.
3. Speaker’s Business
3.1 The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent had been signified on 15 December 2009 to the Financial Provisions Act (Northern Ireland) 2009.
3.2 The Deputy Speaker informed Members that Mr Billy Leonard had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the East Londonderry constituency to fill the vacancy that resulted from the resignation of Mr Francie Brolly.
Mr Leonard had signed the Roll of Members on Thursday 7 January 2010 in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Director General. The Speaker confirmed that Mr Leonard had signed the Roll and had entered his designation of identity.
4. Executive Committee Business
4.1 Statement - North-South Ministerial Council Meeting in Trade and Business Development Sectoral Format
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Trade and Business Development Sectoral format, held on 16 December 2009, following which she replied to questions.
4.2 Statement - North-South Ministerial Council Meeting in Tourism Sectoral Format
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Tourism Sectoral format, held on 16 December 2009, following which she replied to questions.
Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.
4.3 Statement - Public Expenditure 2009-10: December Monitoring Round
The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the Public Expenditure 2009-10: December Monitoring Round, following which he replied to questions.
4.4 Motion - Legislative Consent Motion - Video Recordings Bill
Proposed:That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the Video Recordings Bill.
[Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
4.5 Motion - Legislative Consent Motion - Digital Economy Bill
Proposed:That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Digital Economy Bill dealing with the classification of video games etc and public lending right.
[Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure]
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
The Speaker took the Chair.
5. Assembly Business
5.1 Designation of Acting First Minister
The Speaker informed Members that he received a letter from the First Minister, Rt Hon Mr P Robinson, advising that under section 16A (11) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, he has designated the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster, to exercise the functions of the Office of First Minister.
Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 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.
6.2 Regional Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Regional Development, Mr Conor Murphy.
The Speaker took the Chair.
7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer
7.1 ‘ Spotlight’ Allegations Relating to Financial Matters
Acting First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Ms Carál Ní Chuilín.
Acting First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster, answered questions put to her by representatives from each of the remaining parties.
8. Committee Business
8.1 Motion - Statutory Committee Membership
Proposed: That Mr Billy Leonard be appointed as a member of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
[Ms C Ní Chuilín]
[Mr P Maskey]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
8.2 Motion - Standing Committee Membership
Proposed: That Mr Billy Leonard be appointed as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges; and as a member of the Committee on Procedures.
[Ms C Ní Chuilín]
[Mr P Maskey]
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
8.3 Motion - The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority’s Overview Report
Proposed: That this Assembly notes the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority’s Overview Report on infection prevention / hygiene inspections (November 2009) which states that there must be a greater emphasis on clinical leadership and team-working to assure hygiene and infection control practice; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to “bring back matron”; and to provide nursing ward managers with the support and authority to do their work effectively.
[Chairperson, Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried without division.
9. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 5.24pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
11 January 2010
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
9 December 2009 to 11 January 2010
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Financial Provisions Act (Northern Ireland) 2009
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Centre for Autism – Annual Report and Financial Statements 2008
Public Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2009 (DFP)
5. Assembly Reports
Report on Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit Ltd: Transfer and Disposal of Assets (NIA 25/09/10R) (Public Accounts Committee)
Report on Review of New Deal 25+ (NIA 26/09/10R) (Public Accounts Committee)
Seventh Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules (NIA 32/09/10R)
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)S.R. 2009/398 The Food for Particular Nutritional Uses (Addition of Substances for Specific Nutritional Purposes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/400 The Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 ( DEL)
S.R. 2009/405 The Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (OFMDFM)
S.R 2009/406 The T8 Moira-Antrim-Magherafelt-Moneymore Trunk Road Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/407 The Food Supplements and the Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R 2009 408 The Occupational Pensions (Revaluation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/409 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/410 The Race Relations Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (OFMDFM)
S.R 2009/412 Gas (Supplier of Last Resort) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DETI)
S.R. 2009/413 The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DOE)
S.R. 2009/415 The Food Enzymes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/416 The Food Additives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/417 The Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/418 The Income Support (Prescribed Categories of Person) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/421 The Charlestown Road, Portadown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/422 The Child Support (Management of Payments and Arrears) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R. 2009/423 The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DARD)
S.R. 2009/425 The Employment Equality (Age) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/426 The Social Security (Housing Costs Special Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DSD)
S.R 2009/427 The Official Feed and Food Controls Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DHSSPS)
S.R. 2009/428 The Disability Discrimination (Transport Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (OFMDFM)
For Information Only:
S.R. 2009/404 The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009
S.R. 2009/411 The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DARD)
S.R. 2009/419 The Waiting Restrictions (Maghera) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R. 2009/420 The Waiting Restrictions (Randalstown) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (DRD)
S.R 2009/424 The Court of Judicature Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Cold Weather Payments to Households (DSD)
8. Consultation Documents
Consultation on the Department’s proposal to make the Local Government (General Grant) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DOE)
Consultation on Strengthening Sanctions Against Retailers for Underage Sales of Tobacco Products (DHSSPS)
Consultation on an Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 (DETI)
Consultation on The Animals (Specified Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and The Animals (Insect Transmissible Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DARD)
Consultation on the Implementation of the Unbundling Provisions of the 2009 Electricity Directive (2009/72/EC) and the 2009 Gas Directive (2009/73/EC) (DETI)
Draft Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy – Consultation Document (DHSSPS)
The Draft Local Government (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 – Consultation Document (DOE)
Consultation on the Draft High Hedges Bill (DOE)
Equalty Impact Assessment on the Agri-environment Programme and the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Scheme (DARD)
9. Departmental Publications
Public Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2009 (DFP)
Strategy for Victims and Survivors 2009-2019 (OFMDFM)
Reports by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on:
Chromium and sino-nasal cancer
Association between shift working and breast cancer and ischaemic heart Disease
Laryngeal cancer and strong acid mists containing sulphuric acid Beryllium and lung cancer (DSD)
Welfare Reform Bill (Northern Ireland) 2010 – Completed Equality Impact Assessment (DSD)
Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2007-2013: Making a difference in life ( DEL)
Department of Finance and Personnel Memorandum on the Third and Fourth Report from the Public Accounts Committee Session 2009-2010
10. Agency Publications
First Programme of Law Reform June 2009 - March 2011 (NI Law Commission) (OFMDFM)
Monitoring Report No.19 A Profile of the Monitored Northern Ireland Workforce (Equality Commission for Northern Ireland)
11. Westminster Publications
Autumn Performance Report 2009 (NIO)
Consultation Paper on Oxycodone Import Policy (Home Office)
Supporting people into work: the next stage of Housing Benefit Reform (Department for Work and Pensions)