No.07/06 (T.A.)
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 19 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 – Protection for the Elderly
Proposed: That this Assembly calls for the appointment of an Interim Commissioner for the Elderly to identify urgently a strategy to assist, protect and develop provision for the elderly in Northern Ireland.
[Mr I Paisley Jnr]
[Lord Morrow]
2.2 Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘an’ and insert:
‘Independent Commissioner for Older People who would have the necessary powers to effectively promote, safeguard and protect the rights of older people.’
[Mrs P O’Rawe]
[Mrs M Bradley]
Debate ensued.
Deputy Speaker (Mr Jim Wells) in the Chair.
The Speaker in the Chair.
The Speaker advised Members that she had received a letter of resignation from Ms Patricia Lewsley, which would take effect immediately. The Speaker further advised that the arrangements provided for in Standing Order 17(h) would apply.
The Amendment being put, the Amendment was made without division.
The Question being put, the Motion, as amended, was carried without division.
The Sitting was, by leave, suspended at 12.28 pm.
The Sitting resumed at 2.00 pm.
Deputy Speaker (Mr Francie Molloy) in the Chair.
2.3 Motion – Free Personal Care
Proposed: That this Assembly calls on an incoming Executive to undertake an independent review to establish the cost, and resources required, of implementing free personal care for the elderly, taking note of the experience of the Scottish Executive and Scottish local authorities, and to provide a timetable for the introduction of such free personal care in Northern Ireland.
[Mr B Bell]
[Rev Dr R Coulter]
2.4 Amendment
Proposed: Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:
‘notes the research previously carried out on the costs of free personal care in Northern Ireland, as well as the results of the introduction of free personal care in Scotland, and calls on any incoming Executive to introduce free personal care in Northern Ireland as a priority.’
[Mr K McCarthy]
[Mr S Neeson]
[Mr D Ford]
Debate ensued.
The Speaker in the Chair.
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 3.23 pm.
Mrs Eileen Bell
The Speaker
19 December 2006
18 December / Menu / 8 January