No.04/06 (T.A.)

MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 11 DECEMBER 2006

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

1. Personal Prayer or Meditation

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Private Members’ Business

2.1 Motion – Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Proposed: That this Assembly notes that the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 have been laid in Westminster in advance of the equivalent regulations for the rest of the United Kingdom and calls upon the Government to withdraw these regulations and leave this issue to be determined by the Northern Ireland Assembly upon restoration.

[Mr J Donaldson MP]
[Mr G Dawson]

After debate, the Question being put, the Motion was negatived (Division 1).

The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 12.43 pm.

The Sitting resumed at 2.00 pm.

2.2 Motion – Fire and Rescue Service Draft Integrated Risk Management Plan

Proposed: That this Assembly notes the ‘Draft Integrated Risk Management Plan consultation document 2007/08’ prepared by the Fire and Rescue Service and calls for any conclusions and recommendations to ensure that present standards are maintained and that the safety of our citizens is paramount over any other consideration.

[Mr P McGuigan]

2.3 Amendment

Proposed: ‘Leave out ‘notes’ and insert ‘condemns the proposals contained in’, and leave out all after ‘Service’ and insert ‘to remove the second fire appliances from twelve towns in Northern Ireland, thus endangering the safety of both firefighters and the public’.

[Mr M Storey]
[Mr P Weir]

Debate ensued.

Deputy Speaker (Mr Jim Wells) in the Chair.

After debate, the Amendment being put, the Amendment was made without division.

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

3. Adjournment

3.1 Proposed: That the Assembly do now adjourn.

[The Speaker]

The Assembly adjourned at 3.48 pm.

Mrs Eileen Bell
The Speaker
11 December 2006

11 DECEMBER 2006

DIVISIONS

Division No 1

Proposed: That this Assembly notes that the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 have been laid in Westminster in advance of the equivalent regulations for the rest of the United Kingdom and calls upon the Government to withdraw these regulations and leave this issue to be determined by the Northern Ireland Assembly upon restoration.

[Mr J Donaldson MP]
[Mr G Dawson]

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes : 39
Noes : 39

Ayes

Billy Armstrong, Norah Beare, Roy Beggs, Billy Bell, Paul Berry, Esmond Birnie, Thomas Buchanan, Gregory Campbell, Wilson Clyde, Robert Coulter, Leslie Cree, George Dawson, Diane Dodds, Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson, Reg Empey, George Ennis, Arlene Foster, Samuel Gardiner, Paul Girvan, William Hay, David Hilditch, Danny Kennedy, Nelson McCausland, William McCrea, David McNarry, Stephen Moutray, Dermot Nesbitt, Robin Newton, Ian Paisley Jnr, Ian R K Paisley, Edwin Poots, George Robinson, Peter Robinson, Jim Shannon, David Simpson, Mervyn Storey, Peter Weir, Jim Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Jeffrey Donaldson and Edwin Poots.

Noes

Gerry Adams, Alex Attwood, Dominic Bradley, Mary Bradley, Francis Brolly, Willie Clarke, John Dallat, Pat Doherty, David Ervine, Sean Farren, David Ford, Tommy Gallagher, Carmel Hanna, Davy Hyland, Dolores Kelly, Gerry Kelly, Patricia Lewsley, Naomi Long, Alban Maginness, Alex Maskey, Fra McCann, Kieran McCarthy, Raymond McCartney, Alasdair McDonnell, Barry McElduff, Philip McGuigan, Mitchel McLaughlin, Eugene McMenamin, Francie Molloy, Conor Murphy, John O'Dowd, Pat O'Rawe, Tom O'Reilly, Pat Ramsey, Sue Ramsey, Margaret Ritchie, Caitriona Ruane, Kathy Stanton.

Vote on vacancy in Membership [Michael Ferguson (deceased)]: Gerry Adams.

Tellers for the Noes: Eugene McMenamin and Sue Ramsey.

The Motion was Negatived.

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