No. 27-09/10
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 18 JANUARY 2010
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 he had received a letter from Mrs Iris Robinson, resigning as a Member of the Assembly with effect from 12 January 2010. The Speaker also informed Members that he had received a letter from Mrs Carmel Hanna resigning as a Member of the Assembly with effect from 15 January 2010.
The Speaker advised that he had notified the Chief Electoral Officer of both vacancies, in accordance with section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
3. Executive Committee Business
3.1 Statement - North-South Ministerial Council Plenary Meeting
The deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting, held on 14 December 2009, following which he replied to questions.
Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.
3.2 Statement - North-South Ministerial Council Meeting in Education Sectoral Format
The Minister of Education, Ms Caitríona Ruane, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Education Sectoral format, held on 25 November 2009, following which she replied to questions.
3.3 Statement - British-Irish Council Meeting
The Minister for Social Development, Ms Margaret Ritchie, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the British-Irish Council Housing Work Stream, held on 4 December 2009, following which she replied to questions.
3.4 First Stage - Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (NIA 6/09)
The Minister for Regional Development, Mr Conor Murphy, introduced a Bill to provide for permit schemes to control the carrying out of works in roads; for prohibiting or restricting the use of roads in connection with special events; for inquiries in connection with the exercise of certain functions relating to roads; and for connected purposes.
Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 6/09).
3.5 Further Consideration Stage - Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill (NIA 4/09)
The Minister for Social Development moved that the Further Consideration Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill be agreed.
No amendments were tabled to the Bill.
Bill NIA 4/09 passed Further Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
4. Private Members’ Business
4.1 Motion - Compulsory Voting
Proposed: That this Assembly notes the positive effect that compulsory voting has had on democracy in the Commonwealth of Australia; and calls on Her Majesty’s Government to consider introducing similar rules for elections in the United Kingdom.
[Mr D Kinahan]
Debate ensued.
The debate was suspended for Question Time.
The Speaker took the Chair.
5. Question Time
5.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Acting First Minister, Mrs Arlene Foster.
5.2 Agriculture and Rural Development
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew.
6. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)
6.1 Motion - Compulsory Voting (Cont’d)
Debate resumed on the Motion.
The Question being put, the Motion was negatived without division.
6.2 Motion - Crisis in the Executive
Proposed: That this Assembly notes the large number of critical issues that the Executive has failed to resolve; expresses deep concern about the consequences for good governance, the economy and public services; and calls on the Executive to meet its responsibilities and to act in a collective manner for the good of Northern Ireland.
[Mr T Lunn]
[Mr D Ford]
[Mrs N Long]
[Dr S Farry]
Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the Motion was carried (Division 1).
7. Adjournment
Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.
[The Speaker]
The Assembly adjourned at 5.37pm.
Mr William Hay
The Speaker
18 January 2010
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
18 JANUARY 2010
DIVISIONS
Division No. 1
Crisis in the Executive - Motion
Proposed:That this Assembly notes the large number of critical issues that the Executive has failed to resolve; expresses deep concern about the consequences for good governance, the economy and public services; and calls on the Executive to meet its responsibilities and to act in a collective manner for the good of Northern Ireland.
[Mr T Lunn]
[Mr D Ford]
[Mrs N Long]
[Dr S Farry]
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 29
Noes: 17
Ayes
Mr Attwood, Mr Beggs, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr P J Bradley, Mr Burns, Mr Cobain, Mr Durkan, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Mr Gallagher, Mrs D Kelly, Mr Kinahan, Ms Lo, Mrs Long, Mr Lunn, Mr A Maginness, Mr McCallister, Mr McCarthy, Mr B McCrea, Dr McDonnell, Mr McFarland, Mr McGlone, Mr Neeson, Mr O’Loan, Ms Purvis, Mr P Ramsey, Mr B Wilson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Dr Farry and Ms Lo.
Noes
Ms Anderson, Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Mr Butler, Mr W Clarke, Mr Billy Leonard, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mrs McGill, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr F McCann and Mr McLaughlin.
The following Members voted in both Lobbies and are therefore not counted in the result:
Mr Bresland, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Craig, Rt Hon J Donaldson, Mr Easton, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Irwin, Mr I McCrea, Dr W McCrea, Miss McIlveen, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr G Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Shannon, Mr Simpson, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr S Wilson.
The motion was carried.
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
PAPERS PRESENTED TO THE ASSEMBLY FROM
13 - 18 January 2010
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
5. Assembly Reports
Report on the Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Bill NIA 3/09 (NIA 11/09/10R) (Committee for Regional Development)
6. Statutory Rules
(The Department identified after each rule is for reference purposes only)S.R. 2010/1 The Building (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DFP)
S.R. 2010/3 The Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DFP)
S.R. 2010/4 Rates (Small Business Hereditament Relief) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DFP)
S.R. 2010/5 The Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (Modification) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DOE)
S.R. 2010/6 The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (DSD)