Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

No. 58-09/10

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 24 MAY 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, on Monday 24 May, Mr Alex Attwood had taken up the office of Minister for Social Development.

2.2 The Speaker informed Members that he had received correspondence from the nominating officer of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Ms Margaret Ritchie, nominating Mr Patsy McGlone as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment with effect from 21 May 2010. The Speaker confirmed the appointment.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion - Appointment to the Assembly Commission

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 79(4), Mr Pat Ramsey be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Assembly Commission.

Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns

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

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 First Stage - Dogs (Amendment) Bill (NIA 20/09)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to dogs.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 20/09).

4.2 First Stage - Commissioner for Older People Bill (NIA 21/09)

The junior Minister, Mr Robin Newton, introduced a Bill to provide for the appointment and functions of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 21/09).

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Welfare Reform Bill (NIA 13/09)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 17 June 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill (NIA Bill 13/09).

Chairperson, Committee for Social Development

Debate ensued.

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

5.2 Motion - Statutory Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Thomas Burns replace Mr PJ Bradley as a member of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure; that Mr Tommy Gallagher and Mrs Mary Bradley replace Mr Conall McDevitt and Mrs Dolores Kelly as members of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety; that Mr Conall McDevitt replace Mrs Dolores Kelly as a member of the Committee for Justice; that Mrs Dolores Kelly replace Mr Alex Attwood as a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; that Mr Conall McDevitt replace Mr Tommy Gallagher as a member of the Committee for Regional Development; and that Mr Tommy Gallagher replace Mr Thomas Burns as a member of the Committee for Social Development.

Mr P Ramsey
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns

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

5.3 Motion - Standing Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Conall McDevitt replace Mr Alex Attwood as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; that Mr Thomas Burns replace Mr PJ Bradley as a member of the Business Committee; and that Mr Thomas Burns replace Mr Declan O’Loan as a member of the Committee on Procedures.

Mr P Ramsey
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns

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

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Second Stage - Caravans Bill (NIA 17/09)

Mr John McCallister moved the Second Stage of the Caravans Bill (NIA 17/09).

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

The Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson. The Junior Minister, Mr Robin Newton, also answered a number of questions.

7.2 Social Development

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Social Development, Mr Alex Attwood.

8. Private Members’ Business (Cont’d)

8.1 Second Stage - Caravans Bill (NIA 17/09) (Cont’d)

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

Debate resumed on the Second Stage.

Bill (NIA 17/09) passed Second Stage.

8.2 Motion - Department of Education's Community Relations Budget

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses deep concern at the Minister of Education's decision to introduce significant cuts to her Department's community relations budget for 2010/11; and calls on the Minister to explain how her Department can now make any meaningful contribution to building good relations between young people and to an overarching Executive policy on Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Mr T Lunn
Mrs N Long
Dr S Farry
Ms A Lo

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

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

8.3 Motion - 40 th Anniversary of Disbanding of B-Specials and Formation of UDR

Following receipt of a valid Petition of Concern, under Standing Order 28, Members were informed that the vote on the Motion would be taken as the first item of business on Tuesday 25 May, and that the vote would be taken on a cross community basis.

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that April 2010 marked both the fortieth anniversary of the dissolution of the Ulster Special Constabulary, or B-Specials, and also the fortieth anniversary of the formation of the Ulster Defence Regiment; expresses its gratitude to the bravery of the many people who served in each; acknowledges the sacrifice made by many personnel as they defended the population against terrorism; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to mark these two important anniversaries.

Mr M Storey
Lord Morrow

Debate ensued.

Members were reminded that the Question would be put on the Motion as the first item of business on Tuesday 25 May.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.25pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
24 May 2010

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
19 – 24 May 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

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Petroleum Production Account for the year ended 31 March 2009

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Mineral Development Account for the year ended 31 March 2009

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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

For Information Only:

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The Executive’s Priority Measures to Deal with the Economic Downturn (OFMDFM)

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

House of Commons Members' Contributory Pension ( Northern Ireland) Fund - Report by the Government Actuary's Department on the Financial Position as at 31 March 2005 (DFP)

The Management of Substitution Teachers: Follow-up Report (NIAO)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications