This week at the Assembly - 14 May

• Monday 14th May
  Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Women in Politics, Rail Network, Irish in USA
• Tuesday 15th May
  Rating system, Prescription charges, Child and adolescent mental health services, Care matters strategy
• Wednesday 16th May
  Committee meetings
• Thursday 17th May
  Committee meetings
• Friday 18th May
  Committee meetings

Monday 14 May

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Proposed: That this Assembly agrees to re-apply for admission to membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, such membership to be effective immediately on approval of the application by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and to abide by the provisions of the constitution of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; that the required membership fee be paid to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; and that this motion be communicated to the secretariat of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association immediately following agreement.

Rev Dr R Coulter & Mr D McClarty

Read the official report of this debate here.

Women in Politics

Proposed: That this Assembly expresses serious concerns about the under representation of women in the Assembly and calls on all parties to commit themselves to addressing the situation; and for the establishment of an all-party working group to discuss these and other issues that have a negative impact on women; and further calls on an incoming Executive to fully implement and resource a comprehensive strategy to tackle the under- representation of women in political life.

Ms M Anderson & Ms S Ramsey & Ms C Ní Chuilín & Ms J McCann

Read the official report of this debate here.

Development of the Rail Network

Proposed: That this Assembly calls upon the Department for Regional Development to bring forward their plans for upgrading the rail network to provide attractive inter-city services between the principal centres of population within Northern Ireland and onwards to the Republic of Ireland.

Mr J Dallat

Read the official report of this debate here.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Proposed: That this Assembly expresses its deep concern about the plight of the 'undocumented Irish', including many young people originally from Northern Ireland currently living, working and paying their way in the USA. Furthermore, that this Assembly agrees to make a donation towards the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, to support the campaign to legitimatise resident arrangements for, and create legal status for, the 'undocumented'.

Dr A McDonnell & Mr PJ Bradley

Read the official report of this debate here.

Tuesday 15 May

Review of New Rating System

Proposed: That this Assembly notes the introduction of unfair changes to the rating system, and calls upon the Department of Finance and Personnel to conduct a full review of the new system, including in particular, consideration of further income-related reliefs and a full income-based system.

Mr B Wilson & Dr S Farry

Read the official report of this debate here.

Health Prescription Charges

Proposed: That this Assembly calls upon the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to establish a cost and benefit review for the purpose of abolishing health prescription charges as has been carried out in Wales.

Mr K McCarthy & Dr K Deeny

Read the official report of this debate here.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Proposed: That this Assembly expresses concern at the current state of child and adolescent mental health services, particularly the lack of child and adolescent in-patient beds and dearth of trained staff to run these services; and further calls on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to take urgent action to address this situation in keeping with the Bamford Review.

Ms Sue Ramsey & Ms C Ní Chuilín & Mrs M O’Neill

Read the official report of this debate here.

Care Matters Strategy

Proposed: That this Assembly calls upon the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to set out his plans to improve the outcomes for children 'looked after' by the state and for the implementation and resourcing of the Care Matters Strategy.

Ms Sue Ramsey & Ms C Ní Chuilín & Mrs M O’Neil

Read the official report of this debate here.

Wednesday 16 May

All of these committee meetings are open to the public. This week the committee are receiving briefings from the Permanent Secretaries of their respective Departments.

• 10.00 - Regional Development Committee (Room 144)
• 10.00 - Finance and Personnel Committee (Room 152)
• 10.30 - Employment and Learning Committee (Room 135)
• 2.00 - Committee on Procedures (Room 152)
• 2.00 - Committee of the Centre (Room 144)

Thursday 17 May

All of these committee meetings are open to the public. This week the committee are receiving briefings from the Permanent Secretaries of their respective Departments.

• 10.30 - Environment Committee (Room 144)
• 10.30 - Cultural Arts and Leisure Committee (Room 152)
• 11.00 - Social Development Committee (Room 135)
• 1.30 - Public Accounts Committee (Room 152)
• 1.30 - Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee (Room 144)
• 2.30 - Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee (Room 135)

Friday 18 May

All of these committee meetings are open to the public. This week the committee are receiving briefings from the Permanent Secretaries of their respective Departments.

• 10.00 - Education Committee (Room 135)