The Northern Ireland assembly Tuesday 8 May 2007 Assembly Business: Assembly Business: Speaker’s Business Committee Business: The Assembly met at 10.30 am (Madam Speaker in the Chair). Members observed two minutes’ silence. Madam Speaker: It is my sad duty to inform the House of the death of Mr George Dawson, a Member for the East Antrim constituency. In accordance with convention, as a mark of respect for Mr Dawson, the sitting will now be suspended until 11.00 am. The sitting was suspended at 10.33 am. On resuming (Madam Speaker in the Chair) — 11.00 am Assembly Business Madam Speaker: In a letter dated 7 May 2007, the Secretary of State has notified me that he has made a restoration order under section 2(2) of the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006. The restoration order lifts the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly and effects the restoration of devolved Government in Northern Ireland today. Madam Speaker: I am mindful of the importance of today’s proceedings, the level of interest in our business today, and the widespread goodwill being expressed towards our restored Assembly, both within and beyond our community. That goodwill is evidenced by the large presence in the Gallery of members of the public and guests, including some who have travelled from London, Dublin and the United States of America. On behalf of the Assembly, I welcome all our guests today and thank them for their interest and support, past and present. Assembly Business Madam Speaker: Since we last met, the Secretary of State has amended the Standing Orders for the Transitional Assembly that relate to signing the Roll of Membership. Mr Trevor Lunn has since signed the Roll of Membership in my presence and that of the Clerk to the Assembly. I am satisfied that he has taken his seat in accordance with the amended Standing Orders. I have deemed Mr Lunn’s designation to be “Other”. In accordance with the legislation, all Members have now taken their seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Madam Speaker: Members will be aware that the Secretary of State prepared draft Standing Orders. In accordance with the legislation, those have today become the Standing Orders of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Each Member has been provided with a personal copy. Madam Speaker: Under the legislation, I became Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly this morning. However, it is important that the Assembly should have an early opportunity to elect a Speaker from among its Members. I remind Members that the election of the Speaker will be conducted using the procedures set out in Standing Order 4, as follows. I will begin by asking for nominations. Any Member may rise to propose that another Member be elected as Speaker. I will then ask for the proposal to be seconded by another Member, as required by Standing Order 14. If that occurs, I will then verify that the Member so nominated is willing to accept the nomination. There will not be an opportunity for speeches at that stage. I shall then ask for further proposals and follow the same procedure for each. When it appears that there are no further proposals, I will make it clear that the time for proposals has passed. A debate relevant to the election may then take place, in which no Member shall speak more than once. At the conclusion of the debate, or at the conclusion of the nominations if there are no requests to speak, I shall put the Question that the Member first proposed shall be Speaker of this Assembly. Such a vote can be carried only on a cross-community basis. If the proposal is not carried, I shall put the Question in relation to the next nominee, and so on, until all nominations are exhausted. Once a Speaker is elected, all other nominations will automatically fall. If that is clear, we shall proceed. Do I have any proposals for the office of Speaker of this Assembly? Rev Dr Ian Paisley: Madam Speaker, we appreciate all that you have done in presiding over our Assemblies. As you look down at these Benches, you will have some peculiar thoughts. Perhaps some day we will be privileged to read what you thought of the people that you looked upon so carefully and affectionately. You had a difficult time, and it was a difficult time for the Assembly. Nevertheless, you kept a grip on business, with the necessary leniency; yet you kept aright the standards of debate. We are grateful to you for that. You can look ahead with no doubt that you did well, because you never had to order any Member out of the House. Mr Adams: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a thabhairt duit. You did a wonderful job, and I join Dr Paisley in thanking you for being very fair in conducting business here. Tá mé an-sásta go bhfuil tú anseo ag tús an ré nua. Furthermore, I am very pleased that you are here to see a new start. I wish you, your husband and your family well. Ba mhaith liom a rá fosta go bhfuil mé an-bhrónach faoi bhás George Dawson, agus déanaim comhbhrón lena theaghlach agus lena pháirtí. I am sorry to hear of the untimely death of George Dawson, and Sinn Féin extends to his wife and family, his party and party leader its condolences. Sir Reg Empey: Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I join with other Members in thanking you for your courtesy and the manner in which you have conducted our business over some very difficult times. At every occasion you extended every courtesy to us, and, as other Members have said, I know how difficult we can be at times. At all times you kept a sense of humour and occasion, and we are grateful to you for carrying on well beyond the point at which you could easily have relieved yourself of the burden of office. Like the previous Member, I place on record the UUP’s deep regret at the very sad news of the death of one of our Members, George Dawson, which overshadows today’s proceedings. To his family, and colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party, we extend our deepest sympathies. Mr Durkan: Madam Speaker, on behalf of the SDLP, I join with the leaders of other parties in thanking you for your contribution in the office of Speaker. You have displayed courtesy, good character and not a little charm during something of a political twilight zone in which we operated during the past few months. Prior to that, you made a very distinctive contribution in the Assembly. You leave with our thanks — not only for your role as Speaker but for your contribution as a fellow Member of the Assembly. I, too, extend sympathy to the Dawson family, George’s friends and his party colleagues on his untimely death. George had a very distinctive economic insight, and the new Assembly, on this important day, will be the poorer for his absence. Mr Ford: I echo the comments made about the passing of George Dawson. On behalf of my party and all my colleagues, I express sympathy to Mrs Dawson, his party colleagues and to the wider family circle. As Mark Durkan has just said, during last summer he made an enormous contribution in the Preparation for Government Committee in preparing the ground for the economic work to be done. We will at least have his legacy in that respect. I echo the sentiments of other Members in expressing thanks to Madam Speaker Bell. I may have worked rather longer with Eileen Bell than have others, but on this occasion I, and my colleagues, want to thank you for what you did. It was a thankless task to preside over the Transitional Assembly. It was not only Members in this Chamber who gave you problems at times; you were presented with problems from a wide range of circumstances. However, you dealt with them all with good humour and your customary courtesy and charm. You ensured that everything that could be done to defend the integrity of this Assembly was done. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my group, I thank you, and the staff who worked with you, for all that you have achieved, and I wish you and Derek well in the years ahead. Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I assure the Members and the leaders of the various parties who have expressed their sympathy to the Dawson family that I will convey those sentiments to Mr Dawson’s wife and his two daughters. I am grateful to the party leaders and all our colleagues here for their kindness and understanding at this time. Ms Purvis: On behalf of the Progressive Unionist Party, I wish to express our condolences on the death of George Dawson and extend our sympathies to his family. Madam Speaker, there were times when it has been difficult for you over the last couple of years, but you embraced your role with your usual enthusiasm and courage. On behalf of our party, I thank you, and I wish you well in your retirement. I know that you will indulge all your many passions, including fashion, golf, and so on. I wish you well for your retirement. Madam Speaker: Thank you. Do I have any proposals for the office of Speaker of this Assembly? Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I would like to propose Mr William Hay. It gives me very great pleasure to nominate Mr Hay from the Foyle constituency to be the first elected Speaker of the Assembly. It is fitting to say some brief words about him. I have known the Hay family for far too long to want to remember how long ago I met him — he was a young boy in short pants at that time. [Laughter.] He came to prominence through his mother, Anna Margaret Hay, who was the first ever DUP elected representative in County Londonderry. This is a proud day for the Hay family, and it honours the memory of their mother. At the last election, William performed the remarkable feat of topping the poll in an overwhelmingly nationalist constituency — with all due respect to my Friend, the leader of the SDLP. [Laughter.] It is not often that that happens. William is well regarded by unionists and non-unionists, and I welcome the opportunity to put him forward. I acknowledge that at the next Assembly election, we will support a candidate drawn from the other side of the House. Of course, that will rest with the people because we will go back to the people for new mandates. However, all things considered, if we do well we will support someone from the other side of the House in the next Parliament. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your leniency. Madam Speaker: Thank you. I was lenient, given the day that is in it. May I have a seconder for the nomination? Mr Donaldson: Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to second the nomination of William Hay, a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Foyle constituency. The city of Londonderry has had many stout defenders in the past, and I have no doubt that William will continue to be one. [Laughter.] I hope that he will not find himself under siege in that Chair; our best wishes go to him. Madam Speaker: Mr Hay, do you accept the nomination to be Speaker? Mr Hay: I accept the nomination. Madam Speaker: Are there any further proposals? The time for proposals has expired. Question, That Mr William Hay be Speaker of this Assembly, put and agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support): That Mr William Hay be Speaker of this Assembly. Madam Speaker: I formally declare that Mr William Hay has been elected as Speaker. 11.15 am With the Assembly’s indulgence, before I vacate the Chair for the last time, I would like to make a few personal remarks. When I first took up the position of Speaker, I confessed to Members that I considered it a rather daunting task. Facing one’s peers in such a formal and unique role brings many challenges, and I was anxious to ensure that I conducted myself in a manner that reflected the importance of the office. Looking back over the past year, I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Members for the co-operation and goodwill that they extended to me from the outset, and which has continued to this day. That goodwill has enabled us all to overcome each and every challenge. My thanks also go to my two Deputy Speakers for the support that they have given to me and to the Assembly as a whole. I also wish to express my thanks to, and admiration for, all the staff of the Assembly secretariat. The position of Speaker offers an opportunity to observe in much greater detail the lengths to which our secretariat officials go to serve the Assembly, and, throughout my time in office, their commitment and loyalty to me personally has made my task a great deal easier. Members will know that my desire has always been to see a stable, devolved Assembly in Northern Ireland, working for the best interests of everyone. As I leave office, my hope is that today heralds the beginning of such an Assembly, and it has been my privilege to play some small part in achieving that. Although, as I said, I considered the role of Speaker to be a daunting task, on taking up the office, I chose as my personal motto to paraphrase that of the Special Olympics: I hope to succeed, but if I do not, I will be brave in the attempt. I hope that I have lived up to that standard. To the Assembly, to each of its Members, and, in particular, to my successor, I offer my very best wishes as you set about the task for which you have been elected. I now invite the Speaker to take the Chair, and I will hand over the Assembly’s gavel as a symbol of the office of Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [Applause.] (Mr Speaker in the Chair) Mr Speaker: Before I call the next item of business, I take this opportunity to thank Members for electing me to the position of Speaker. As I take the Chair, I am conscious of the role played by past Speakers of the Northern Ireland Assembly. I express my own regard for the manner in which the outgoing Speaker conducted herself in what was, for all Members, an often challenging and unusual situation. I find myself in the position of being the first Speaker to have been elected directly by the Northern Ireland Assembly. That is, indeed, a privilege, but one that carries with it a considerable burden. In electing me, Members have placed their trust in me and in my ability to maintain the authority and impartiality so essential to the office of Speaker. I will strive to uphold thosevalues, and I will seek to act at all times as a servant of the Assembly as a whole. The authority of, and respect for, the office of Speaker is drawn from the Members themselves and the co-operation that they offer to the office. I trust that that respect and co-operation will be forthcoming, as it has been in the past, and that together we will fulfil the responsibilities placed on all of us, with mutual respect. To that end, we shall now proceed. Mr Speaker: Standing Orders require the election of three Deputy Speakers. The procedure for electing Deputy Speakers will be the same as that adopted for the election of Speaker. I will ask for nominations, which must be seconded. I will then verify that the nominee accepts the nomination and will continue in that way until there are no further nominations. I remind Members that a debate may take place after I announce that the time for proposals has passed. Are there any proposals for the office of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly? Mr Adams: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Déanaim comhghairdeas leat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Francie Molloy do phost an LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi Francie. Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your elevation to the post of Speaker. I nominate Francie Molloy for the post of Deputy Speaker. Like you, Mr Speaker, he is stout. [Laughter.] He is an Armagh man who represents Tyrone. It is a source of great pleasure to me that he has been involved in our struggle since the early days of the civil rights movement; and it is with pleasure that I nominate Francie Molloy for the post of Deputy Speaker. I pray your indulgence also to extend condolences to the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Gerry McHugh, who is this morning attending his father’s funeral and cannot be with us today. Go raibh maith agat. Mr Speaker: Is there a seconder for the nomination of Mr Molloy? Ms Ní Chuilín: Cuidím leis an mholadh. I second that proposal. Mr Speaker: Mr Molloy, do you accept the nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker? Mr Molloy: Tá mé toilteanach glacadh le hoifig an LeasCheann Comhairle. I accept the nomination. Sir Reg Empey: I beg indulgence, Mr Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues, to congratulate you. Mr Donaldson described you as a stout defender. However, we shall describe you as a robust defender, as we hope you will be, of the interests of the Members of the Assembly. I propose that Mr David McClarty, a Member for East Londonderry, be elected to the office of Deputy Speaker. Mr McClarty has extensive experience of the Assembly Business Committee, and I believe that he is eminently suited to the office of Deputy Speaker. Mr Speaker: Is there a seconder for the nomination of Mr McClarty? Mr Kennedy: It is with pleasure that I endorse the nomination of Mr McClarty. Mr Speaker: Mr McClarty, do you accept the nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker? Mr McClarty: I accept the nomination, and maintain the theme of stoutness. [Laughter.] Mr Durkan: Mr Speaker, I join with other party leaders in congratulating you, the first directly elected Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. We have worked well as constituency colleagues, but I know that that will stand me no favour from the Chair when I am out of line. I know that you have been a solid representative of the Foyle constituency, and have served Derry City Council well as its chairperson. I wish to nominate John Dallat, another Assembly Member for East Derry — A Member: Another stout Member. [Laughter.] Mr Durkan: Shares in Weight Watchers will be going up at a fast rate after this morning’s proceedings. [Laughter.] I nominate John Dallat, another MLA for East Derry, to serve as Deputy Speaker. He served with distinction in the previous Assembly; he has a solid record of service in local government and has given very proud service to the entire community. Mr Speaker: Do we have a seconder for the nomination of Mr Dallat? Mr A Maginness: It gives me great pleasure to second the nomination of John Dallat. Mr Ford: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It will doubtless come as a great relief to the House that I do not propose to make any nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker at this time. However, feeling svelte and enthusiastic after my exercise around the streets of Belfast yesterday, I wish you well in your role as Speaker in robustly defending the interests of this Assembly against all-comers, and we look forward to working with you. Mr Speaker: Mr Dallat, do you accept the nomination to be Deputy Speaker? Mr Dallat: Without any further elaboration on previous remarks, I humbly accept the nomination. Mr Speaker: Are there any further proposals? I hear no further proposals. The time for proposals has expired. Question, That Mr Francie Molloy be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly, put and agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support): That Mr Francie Molloy be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly. Question, That Mr David McClarty be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly, put and agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support): That Mr David McClarty be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly. Question, That Mr John Dallat be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly, put and agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support): That Mr John Dallat be Deputy Speaker of this Assembly. Affirmation Of The Terms Mr Speaker: The next item of business is the affirmation of the terms of the Pledge of Office for the First Minister (Designate) and the Deputy First Minister (Designate). In a letter dated 3 May 2007, the Secretary of State advised the former Speaker that he had received official confirmation from Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness that they had accepted their parties’ nominations to be First Minister and Deputy First Minister respectively. Members will be aware that the legislation provides that the persons nominated shall not take up office until each of them has affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office contained in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Before we proceed, Members may find it helpful if the Pledge of Office is read into the record so that it does not have to be read in full by the First Minister (Designate), the Deputy First Minister (Designate) or by other Ministers as they take up office. 11.30 am The Pledge of Office is as follows: “To pledge: (a) to discharge in good faith all the duties of office; (b) commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means; (c) to serve all the people of Northern Ireland equally, and to act in accordance with the general obligations on government to promote equality and prevent discrimination; (ca) to promote the interests of the whole community represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly towards the goal of a shared future; (cb) to participate fully in the Executive Committee, the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council; (cc) to observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister; (cd) to uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts as set out in paragraph 6 of the St Andrews Agreement; (d) to participate with colleagues in the preparation of a programme for government; (e) to operate within the framework of that programme when agreed within the Executive Committee and endorsed by the Assembly; (f) to support, and act in accordance with, all decisions of the Executive Committee and Assembly; (g) to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct.” Paragraph 6 of the St Andrews Agreement says: “We believe that the essential elements of support for law and order include endorsing fully the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the criminal justice system, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI in tackling crime in all areas and actively supporting all the policing and criminal justice institutions, including the Policing Board.” Mr Speaker: Members, the Pledge of Office has now been read into the record of proceedings. I will shortly ask the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness to affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office. The First Minister (Designate) (Rev Dr Ian Paisley): I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Speaker: I now ask Mr Martin McGuinness, as Deputy First Minister (Designate), to make the affirmation in the form prescribed. The Deputy First Minister (Designate) (Mr M McGuinness): Glacaim leis an Ghealltanas Oifige. I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Speaker: I now confirm that the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley and Mr Martin McGuinness, having affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office, have taken up office as First Minister and Deputy First Minister in accordance with the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006. Mr Speaker: As we go through the processes, I am sure that all Members will co-operate. I wish to say to people in the Public Gallery that, with the day that is in it and with the death of a Member of the Assembly, applause would not be appropriate. The next item of business is the appointment of Ministers. I will conduct the process for filling those offices in accordance with the procedure set out in section 18 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. I wish to remind Members of the requirements set out in the Act. I shall ask the nominating officer of each political party in the order required by the formula contained in section 18(5) to select an available ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly. I therefore call on the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly. Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I select the Finance and Personnel portfolio and nominate Mr Peter Robinson to hold it. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Peter Robinson confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr P Robinson: Yes, Mr Speaker, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Finance and Personnel, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Peter Robinson appointed Minister of Finance and Personnel. Mr Speaker: I now call on Mr Gerry Adams to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Mr Adams: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Caitríona Ruane, ar bean as Maigh Eo í, mar Aire Oideachais. I nominate Caitríona Ruane as Minister of Education. Mr Speaker: Will Ms Caitríona Ruane confirm that she is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Ms Ruane: Tá mé toilteanach glacadh le hoifig an Aire Oideachais agus dearbhaím téarmaí an Ghealltanais Oifige mar atá siad leagtha amach i sceideal 4 den Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998. Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minster of Education, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Ms Caitríona Ruane appointed Minister of Education. Mr Speaker: I now call on the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I select the Enterprise, Trade and Investment portfolio and nominate Mr Nigel Dodds to hold it. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Nigel Dodds confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr Dodds: Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Nigel Dodds appointed Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Mr Speaker: I now call on Sir Reg Empey to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Sir Reg Empey: I select the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and I nominate Michael McGimpsey to hold the office of Minister. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Michael McGimpsey confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr McGimpsey: I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Michael McGimpsey appointed Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mr Speaker: I now call on Mr Mark Durkan to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Mr Durkan: I select the Department for Social Development, and it gives me great pleasure to nominate Margaret Ritchie as Minister. Mr Speaker: Will Ms Margaret Ritchie confirm that she is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Ms Ritchie: Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Social Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Ms Margaret Ritchie appointed Minister for Social Development. Mr Speaker: I now call on Mr Gerry Adams to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Mr Adams: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Conor Murphy, ar fear as Ard Mhacha é, mar Aire Forbartha Réigiúnaí. I nominate Conor Murphy as Minister for Regional Development. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Conor Murphy confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr Murphy: Tá mé toilteanach glacadh leis an oifig seo. I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Regional Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Conor Murphy appointed Minister for Regional Development. Mr Speaker: I now call on the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it. Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I select the Environment portfolio and nominate Mrs Arlene Foster to hold it. Mr Speaker: Will Mrs Arlene Foster confirm that she is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mrs Foster: Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of the Environment, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mrs Arlene Foster appointed Minister of the Environment. Mr Speaker: I call on Mr Gerry Adams to select a ministerial office and to nominate a person to hold it. Mr Adams: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Michelle Gildernew, ar bean as Tír Eoghain í — agus níl sí ina haonar — mar Aire Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I nominate Ms Michelle Gildernew, a Tyrone woman — and she is not on her own in that respect — to hold the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio. Mr Speaker: Will Ms Michelle Gildernew confirm that she is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Ms Gildernew: Tá mé toilteanach glacadh leis an oifig seo. Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Ms Michelle Gildernew appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr Speaker: I call on the Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley to select a ministerial office and to nominate a person to hold it. Rev Dr Ian Paisley: I select the Culture, Arts and Leisure portfolio and nominate Mr Edwin Poots to hold it. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Edwin Poots confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr Poots: I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Edwin Poots appointed Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Mr Speaker: I call on Sir Reg Empey to select a ministerial office and to nominate a person to hold it. Sir Reg Empey: I select the Employment and Learning portfolio, and I nominate Reg Empey to hold it. I am prepared to accept the office, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Sir Reg Empey appointed Minister for Employment and Learning. Mr Speaker: Thank you. That concludes the process for the appointment of Ministers to each of the Departments. Appointment Of Junior Ministers Mr Speaker: I have received correspondence from the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in relation to the appointment of junior Ministers. I will read the letter: “Pursuant to the procedure for the appointment of Junior Ministers specified in paragraph 3(1) of the former First Minister and deputy First Ministers’ determination of 8 December 1999, as approved by the Assembly on 14 December 1999, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have appointed Mr Ian Paisley Junior MLA and Mr Gerry Kelly MLA to the post of Junior Minister. A copy of the letters of appointment are attached.” Will Mr Ian Paisley Jnr affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr Paisley Jnr: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I congratulate you on your appointment. I willingly affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Ian Paisley Jnr appointed a junior Minister. Mr Speaker: Will Mr Gerry Kelly affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office? Mr G Kelly: Tá mé toilteanach glacadh le hoifig an Aire shóisearaigh agus dearbhaím téarmaí an Ghealltanais Oifige mar atá siad leagtha amach i sceideal 4 den Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998. I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Mr Gerry Kelly appointed a junior Minister. Mr Speaker: I offer my congratulations to all those appointed to ministerial office. Committee Business Resolved: That the Business Committee shall consist of: The Speaker (Ex officio) Mr Billy Armstrong Mr P J Bradley Mr Paul Maskey Mr Kieran McCarthy Dr Alasdair McDonnell Mr David McNarry The Lord Morrow Ms Carál Ní Chuilín Mr Peter Weir — [The Speaker.] Mr Speaker: Before we move to the Adjournment, I wish to advise the House that the Business Committee is scheduled to meet at 3.30 pm to consider further business. The Order Paper for the next meeting will be issued as soon as possible. Members should note that the Whips have provisionally agreed that, subject to ratification by the Business Committee, business will begin at 10.30 am tomorrow. Adjourned at 11.45 am. |