No. 36-10/11

Minute of Proceedings
Tuesday 8 February 2011

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Executive Committee Business

2.1 Statement - Update on the Independent Review of Variable Fees and Student Finance in Northern Ireland

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Mr Danny Kennedy, made a statement to the Assembly regarding the update on the Independent Review of Variable Fees and Student Finance in Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

2.2 Consideration Stage - Sunbeds Bill (NIA 18/09)

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey, moved the Consideration Stage of the Sunbeds Bill (NIA 18/09).

30 Amendments were tabled to the Bill, plus a notice of intention to oppose the question that ‘Clause 3 stand part’ of the Bill.

Clauses

After debate Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to Clause 1 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 1, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendment 4 to Clause 2 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 2, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, the question that Clause 3 stand part of the Bill was negatived without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 4 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed that Clause 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 to Clause 5 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 5, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 11, 12, and 13 to Clause 6 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 6, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 7 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 14, 15, 16 and 17 to Clause 8 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 8, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 to Clause 9 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 9, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 23, 24 and 25 to Clause 10 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 10, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 26 to Clause 11 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 11, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 12 and 13 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 27 to Clause 14 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 14, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, it was agreed without division that Amendment 28 be made and that the new Clause 15 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 16 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 29 to Clause 17 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 17, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 30 to Clause 18 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 18, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 19 and 20 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedules 1 and 2 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

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

Bill (NIA 18/09) passed Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker.

The sitting was suspended at 12.36pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, with the Deputy Speaker (Mr Molloy) in the Chair.

3. Question Time

3.1 Enterprise, Trade and Investment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mrs Arlene Foster.

3.2 Environment

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of the Environment, Mr Edwin Poots.

3.3 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

4. Executive Committee Business (Cont’d)

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

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew, moved that the Final Stage of the Dogs Amendment Bill (NIA Bill 20/09) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr McClarty) took the Chair.

NIA Bill 20/09 passed Final Stage.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Consideration Stage - Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill (NIA Bill 3/10)

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission and the Committee on Standards and Privileges, moved the Consideration Stage of the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill.

20 amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 1 to 10 stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendment 1 to Clause 11 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 11, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 12 stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendment 2 to Clause 13 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 13, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 14 to 16 stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendments 3 and 4 to Clause 17 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 17, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 18 to 30 stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendment 5 to Clause 31 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 31, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 32 and 33 stand part of the Bill.

After debate Amendments 6 and 7 to Clause 34 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 34, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clauses 35 to 39 stand part of the Bill.

Schedules

After debate Amendments 8 to 13 to Schedule 1 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 1, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 2 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendments 14 to 18 to Schedule 3 were made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 3, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 19 to Schedule 4 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 20 to Schedule 5 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Schedule 5, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

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

Bill (NIA 3/10) passed Consideration Stage and stood referred to the Speaker.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Second Stage - Carer’s Allowance Bill (NIA Bill 13/07)

Mr David McNarry moved the Second Stage of the Carer’s Allowance Bill (NIA Bill 13/07).

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Dallat) took the Chair.

Debate ensued.

NIA Bill 13/07 passed Second Stage.

6.2 Motion - Response of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations to the December 2010 Freeze

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the failure of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations to provide an effective and timely maintenance service to the tens of thousands of tenants who suffered as a result of frozen and burst pipes and heating loss during the December 2010 freeze; and calls on the Minister for Social Development to commission an independent investigation, with terms of reference agreed by the Executive, into how these bodies dealt with the crisis, including making recommendations to help ensure that their future emergency plans will be fit for purpose.

Mr F McCann
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr M Brady
Mr J O’Dowd

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 9.03pm.

Mr William Hay
The Speaker
8 February 2011

Northern Ireland Assembly

8 February 2011
Divisions

Division No. 1

Response of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations to the December 2010 Freeze - Motion

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the failure of the Housing Executive and Housing Associations to provide an effective and timely maintenance service to the tens of thousands of tenants who suffered as a result of frozen and burst pipes and heating loss during the December 2010 freeze; and calls on the Minister for Social Development to commission an independent investigation, with terms of reference agreed by the Executive, into how these bodies dealt with the crisis, including making recommendations to help ensure that their future emergency plans will be fit for purpose.

Mr F McCann
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr M Brady
Mr J O’Dowd

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 37
Noes: 14

Ayes

Ms M Anderson, Mr S Anderson, Mr Boylan, Mr Brady, Lord Browne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Butler, Mr T Clarke, Mr W Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Easton, Mr Frew, Ms Gildernew, Mr Hamilton, Mr Humphrey, Ms Lo, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr I McCrea, Mrs McGill, Miss McIlveen, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Mr G Robinson, Mr Ross, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan, Mr Spratt, Mr Weir, Mr Wells.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brady and Mr F McCann.

Noes

Mr Attwood, Mr D Bradley, Mrs M Bradley, Mr PJ Bradley, Mr Burns, Mr Callaghan, Mr Gallagher, Mrs D Kelly, Mr A Maginness, Mr McCallister, Mr McDevitt, Mr McGlone, Mr O’Loan, Mr P Ramsey.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Callaghan and Mr McDevitt.

The Motion was carried.

Sunbeds Bill
Marshalled List of Amendments
Consideration Stage

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Amendments tabled up to 9.30am Thursday, 3 February 2011

The Bill will be considered in the following order-

Clauses, Schedules and Long Title

Amendment 1

Clause 1 , Page 1, Line 3

Leave out subsection (1) and insert -

‘(1) An operator of sunbed premises who -

(a) allows a person who is under 18 to use a sunbed on those premises, or

(b) allows a person who is under 18 to be present (except in the course of providing services to the operator for the purposes of the business of the sunbed premises) in a restricted zone on those premises,

commits an offence.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 2

Clause 1 , Page 1, Line 20

At end insert -

‘(4A) Subsections (4B) and (4C) have effect for determining what is for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) a restricted zone.

(4B) If a sunbed on the sunbed premises is in a wholly or partly enclosed space that is reserved for users of that sunbed, every part of that space is a restricted zone.

(4C) If a sunbed is in a room on the sunbed premises but not in a space falling within subsection (4B), every part of that room is a restricted zone.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 3

Clause 1 , Page 1, Line 22

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 4

Clause 2 , Page 2, Line 24

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Clause 3

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety gives notice of his intention to oppose the question that clause 3 stand part of the Bill.

Amendment 5

Clause 4 , Page 3, Line 9

Leave out ‘level 3’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 6

Clause 5 , Page 3, Line 14

After ‘information’ insert ‘and such other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 7

Clause 5 , Page 3, Line 21

After ‘information’ insert ‘and such other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 8

Clause 5 , Page 3, Line 25

After ‘information’ insert ‘and such other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 9

Clause 5 , Page 3, Line 39

After ‘information’ insert ‘and other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 10

Clause 5 , Page 3, Line 42

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 11

Clause 6 , Page 4, Line 5

After ‘information’ insert ‘and such other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 12

Clause 6 , Page 4, Line 14

After ‘information’ insert ‘and other information’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 13

Clause 6 , Page 4, Line 17

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 14

Clause 8 , Page 4, Line 38

At end insert -

‘(3A) A person (the “seller”) who sells a sunbed to a person and who fails to comply with the requirement in subsection (3B) commits an offence.

(3B) The seller must provide a person who is buying the sunbed with protective eyewear.

(3C) A person (the “hirer”) who hires a sunbed to a person and who fails to comply with the requirement in subsection (3D) commits an offence.

(3D) The hirer must provide a person who is hiring the sunbed with protective eyewear.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 15

Clause 8 , Page 4, Line 40

Leave out ‘subsections (2) and (3)’ and insert ‘this section’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 16

Clause 8 , Page 5, Line 4

At end insert -

‘(5A) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (3A), it is a defence for the seller to prove that the seller (or an employee or agent of the seller) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.

(5B) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (3C), it is a defence for the hirer to prove that the hirer (or an employee or agent of the hirer) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 17

Clause 8 , Page 5, Line 6

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 18

Clause 9 , Page 5, Line 10

Leave out ‘the requirement’ and insert ‘a requirement’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 19

Clause 9 , Page 5, Line 12

Leave out subsection (2) and insert -

‘(2) The operator must -

(a) meet such requirements in relation to training as may be prescribed; and

(b) secure that such employees or agents of the operator as may be prescribed meet such requirements in relation to training as may be prescribed.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 20

Clause 9 , Page 5, Line 14

At end insert -

‘(2A) A person (the “seller”) who sells a sunbed to any person and who fails to meet such requirements in relation to training as may be prescribed commits an offence.

(2B) A person (the “hirer”) who hires a sunbed to any person and who fails to meet such requirements in relation to training as may be prescribed commits an offence.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 21

Clause 9 , Page 5, Line 18

At end insert -

‘(3A) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2A), it is a defence for the seller to prove that the seller (or an employee or agent of the seller) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.

(3B) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2B), it is a defence for the hirer to prove that the hirer (or an employee or agent of the hirer) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 22

Clause 9 , Page 5, Line 20

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 23

Clause 10 , Page 5, Line 26

At end insert -

‘(2A) A person (the “seller”) who sells a sunbed to a person and who fails to comply with the requirement in subsection (2B) commits an offence.

(2B) The seller must secure that a sunbed referred to in subsection (2A) meets such requirements as may be prescribed.

(2C) A person (the “hirer”) who hires a sunbed to a person and who fails to comply with the requirement in subsection (2D) commits an offence.

(2D) The hirer must secure that a sunbed referred to in subsection (2C) meets such requirements as may be prescribed.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 24

Clause 10 , Page 5, Line 30

At end insert -

‘(3A) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2A), it is a defence for the seller to prove that the seller (or an employee or agent of the seller) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.

(3B) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (2C), it is a defence for the hirer to prove that the hirer (or an employee or agent of the hirer) took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of such an offence.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 25

Clause 10 , Page 5, Line 32

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 26

Clause 11 , Page 6, Line 6

At end insert -

‘“registered medical practitioner” means a fully registered person within the meaning of the Medical Act 1983 (c. 54) who holds a licence to practise under that Act.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 27

Clause 14 , Page 6, Line 41

Leave out ‘level 4’ and insert ‘level 5’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 28

Clause 15

Leave out clause 15 and insert -

‘Registration or licensing of sunbed premises or operators, etc.

15. -(1) Regulations may make provision for -

(a) registration by district councils of -

(i) premises which are used as, or which are proposed to be used as, sunbed premises;

(ii) premises on which the sale or hire of sunbeds takes place or is proposed to take place,

and for prohibiting the use for those purposes of any premises which are not registered in accordance with the regulations;

(b) licensing by district councils of -

(i) premises which are used as, or which are proposed to be used as, sunbed premises;

(ii) premises on which the sale or hire of sunbeds takes place or is proposed to take place,

and for prohibiting the use for those purposes of any premises except in accordance with a licence issued under the regulations; or

(c) licensing by district councils of -

(i) operators of sunbed premises;

(ii) persons who sell or hire sunbeds,

and for prohibiting a person from operating sunbed premises or from selling or hiring sunbeds except in accordance with a licence issued under the regulations.

(2) Regulations under this section may -

(a) create offences punishable on summary conviction with a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale;

(b) provide for defences in relation to any offence created by the regulations;

(c) provide for section 13 or any provision of Schedule 1 or 2 to apply with modifications;

(d) provide for district councils to have power to charge fees in relation to registration or licensing;

(e) provide for district councils to have power to revoke licences in such circumstances as are prescribed;

(f) provide for appeals against decisions of district councils to a court of summary jurisdiction.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 29

Clause 17 , Page 7, Line 39

After ‘under’ insert ‘section 15 or’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Amendment 30

Clause 18 , Page 8, Line 19

At end insert -

‘(2) Subsections (3) and (4) have effect for determining for the purposes of this Act on which premises a sunbed is sold or hired where -

(a) the order for the sunbed is taken on certain premises (premises A); and

(b) the sunbed is despatched for delivery in pursuance of the sale or hire from other premises (premises B).

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the sale or hire is to be treated as taking place on premises A.

(4) But if -

(a) premises A are not in Northern Ireland; and

(b) premises B are in Northern Ireland,

the sale or hire is to be treated as taking place on premises B.’

Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill
Marshalled List of Amendments
Consideration Stage

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Amendments tabled up to 9.30am Thursday, 3 February 2011

The Bill will be considered in the following order-

Clauses, Schedules and Long Title

Amendment 1

Clause 11 , Page 4, Line 37

Leave out ‘this Act’ and insert ‘this Part’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 2

Clause 13 , Page 6, Line 14

Leave out ‘such’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 3

Clause 17 , Page 7, Line 10

After ‘believes that’ insert ‘, at a relevant time,’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 4

Clause 17 , Page 7, Line 18

Leave out paragraph (a) and insert -

‘(a) a complaint to the Commissioner that, at a relevant time, a breach of the Code of Conduct has occurred;’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 5

Clause 31 , Page 12, Line 8

Leave out ‘or make an affirmation’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 6

Clause 34 , Page 13, Line 10

After ‘any’ insert ‘complaint or’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 7

Clause 34 , Page 13, Line 16

After ‘with a’ insert ‘complaint or’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 8

Schedule 1 , Page 15, Line 27

At end insert -

‘(q) the Attorney General for Northern Ireland;

(r) a person who has been the Attorney General for Northern Ireland at any time in the five years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect.’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 9

Schedule 1 , Page 16, Line 5

Leave out sub-paragraph (a) and insert -

‘(a) parent, child, grandparent or grandchild;’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 10

Schedule 1 , Page 16, Line 7

Leave out sub-paragraph (b) and insert -

‘(b) brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece (whether of the full or half blood);’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 11

Schedule 1 , Page 16, Line 9

After second ‘spouse’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 12

Schedule 1 , Page 16, Line 10

After second ‘civil partner’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 13

Schedule 1 , Page 16, Line 11

After second ‘cohabitant’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Amendment 14

Schedule 3 , Page 17, Line 34

At end insert -

‘(s) the Attorney General for Northern Ireland;

(t) a person who has been the Attorney General for Northern Ireland at any time in the five years prior to the date when the appointment is to take effect.’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 15

Schedule 3 , Page 18, Line 7

Leave out sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) and insert -

‘(a) parent, child, grandparent or grandchild;

(b) brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece (whether of the full or half blood);’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 16

Schedule 3 , Page 18, Line 11

After second ‘spouse’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 17

Schedule 3 , Page 18, Line 12

After second ‘civil partner’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 18

Schedule 3 , Page 18, Line 13

After second ‘cohabitant’ insert ‘in any of the ways set out in sub-paragraphs (a) or (b)’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 19

Schedule 4 , Page 19

Leave out lines 24 to 29 and insert -

‘(b) by notifying the Commission that liabilities may be incurred of such description and maximum total amount as may be specified in the notification.’

Chair, Standards and Privileges Committee

Amendment 20

Schedule 5 , Page 20, Line 13

Leave out ‘the Schedule’ and insert ‘Schedule 1’

Mr Peter Weir, on behalf of the Assembly Commission

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on
8 February 2011

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Caravans Bill (As Amended at Further Consideration Stage) NIA Bill 17/09

3. Orders in Council

4. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

5. Assembly Reports

6. Statutory Rules

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

S.R. 2011/25 The Fishing Boats (Electronic Transmission of Fishing Activities Data) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DARD)

S.R. 2011/28 The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (DHSSPS)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Consultation Documents

9. Departmental Publications

10. Agency Publications

11. Westminster Publications

12. Miscellaneous Publications

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent .

Proceedings as at 8 FEBRUARY 2011

Session 2010-2011
Executive Bills

Session 2010-2011
Non-Executive Bills

* Bill carried over from 2009-2010 by the Assembly as Royal Assent had not been achieved.
/ Bill progressing by accelerated passage