No. 24-10/11

Minute of Proceedings
Monday 06 December 2010

The Assembly met at noon, the Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) 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 Parliament Buildings on Monday 6 December 2010, as he would be away on official Assembly business.

2.2 The Deputy Speaker advised Members that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment was unwell and unable to deliver her scheduled statement.

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 First Stage - Planning Bill (NIA Bill 7/10)

The Minister of the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots, introduced a Bill to make provision in relation to planning; and for connected purposes.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 7/10).

3.2 Consideration Stage - Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill (NIA 16/09)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Sammy Wilson, moved the Consideration Stage of the Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 16/09).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 9 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

Bill NIA 16/09 passed Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker.

3.3 Further Consideration Stage - Tourism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 30/09)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Mr Nelson McCausland, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Tourism (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 30/09), on behalf of the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster.

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Bill NIA 30/09 stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

3.4 Motion - Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Proposed:

That the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 be approved.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued

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

3.5 Motion - Pensions Regulator (Contribution Notices) (Sum Specified Following Transfer) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Proposed:

That the Pensions Regulator (Contribution Notices) (Sum Specified Following Transfer) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 be approved.

Minister for Social Development

Debate ensued

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

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 1/10)

Proposed:

That in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 11 February 2011, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 1/10).

Chairperson, Committee for Justice

Debate ensued.

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

4.2 Motion - Early Years Children’s Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Early Years (0-6) Strategy consultation by the Department of Education and the comments of stakeholders; agrees that there is a clear need for a cross-departmental and holistic approach to early years provision; and calls on the Minister of Education to develop a cross-departmental and holistic Early Years Children's Strategy and Action Plan which will fully integrate provision for the social, care and educational needs of young children from pre-birth to age six.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.

The debate was suspended for Question Time.

5. Question Time

5.1 Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness. The Junior Minister, Mr Gerry Kelly, also answered a number of questions.

5.2 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. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 Erroneous Prisoner Release

The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Dr Stephen Farry.

6.2 Gritting of Roads and Footpaths

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) took the Chair.

The Minister for Regional Development, Mr Conor Murphy, replied to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer, tabled by Mr Conall McDevitt.

7. Committee Business (Cont’d)

7.1 Motion - Early Years Children’s Strategy (Cont’d)

Debate resumed on the Motion.

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

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 First Stage - Single Use Plastic Bags Bill (NIA Bill 8/10)

Mr Daithí McKay introduced a Bill to impose a levy on suppliers of single use plastic bags; to provide for the application of levy receipts; and for connected purposes.

Bill passed First Stage and ordered to be printed (NIA Bill 8/10).

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.13pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker

6 December 2010

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly from
1 to 6 December 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

Memorandum of Understanding between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Utility Regulator June 2010 (DRD)

Memorandum of Understanding between the Drinking Water Inspectorate (NI) and the Utility Regulator June 2010 (DRD)

Regulation of Public Drinking Water Quality by the Drinking Water Inspectorate - Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment (DRD/DOE)

Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Regional Development and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (DRD)

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010 (OFMDFM)

The Northern Ireland Medical Dental Training Agency Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2010 (DHSSPS)

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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

S.R. 2010/382 The Building (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DFP)

S.R. 2010/383 The Education (Student Support) (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 ( DEL)

For Information Only:

S.R. 2010/385 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Omagh) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

S.R. 2010/386 The One-Way Traffic (Downpatrick) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

S.R. 2010/387 The Prohibition of Right-Hand Turn (Newry) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

S.R. 2010/388 The Cycle Tracks ( A50 Castlewellan Road, Newcastle) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

S.R. 2010/390 The Parking Places on Roads (Lisburn) (No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

S.R. 2010/393 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Omagh) (No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (DRD)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

Draft Planning Policy Statement 16 'Tourism' (DOE)

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Customer Channel Strategy (DARD)

Business Improvements Districts and Licensing of Pavement Cafés (DSD)

Publication of "Universal Credit: welfare that works" (DSD)

Local Government Reform - Policy Proposals - consultation document (DOE)

Consultation on Site Waste Management Plans Regulations (DOE)

Business Improvement Districts and Licensing of Pavement Cafés (DSD)

9. Departmental Publications

Domestic Violence and Abuse - A thematic inspection of the handling of domestic abuse cases by the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland (DOJ)

Arrangements for Ensuring the Quality of Care in Homes for Older People (NIAO)

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications