Assembly Monitor 20 September 2010
Assembly Monitor is a weekly update on the work of the NI Assembly and in particular the issues which are of interest to the voluntary and community sector.
We have linked the Assembly Monitor to the official record Hansard and the MLAs to their Assembly profile pages.
- Monday 13 September
- Tuesday 14 September
- This Week at the Assembly
- Monday 20 September
- Tuesday 21 September
- Wendnesday 22 September
- Proposed Concurrent Meeting of the Committee for Finance and Personnel and Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
- Committee for Employment and Learning
- Committee for Regional Development
- Committee on Standards and Privileges
- Committee on Education
- Thursday 23 September
- Committee for Social Development
- Committee of the Environment
- Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
- Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
- Committee of Justice
- Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Last week at the Assembly
Monday 13 September
Executive Committee Business
Employment Bill: Royal Assent
Welfare Reform Bill: Royal Assent
Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill: Royal Assent
The Speaker informed the Assembly that a number of Bills have received Royal Assent: the Employment Bill; the Welfare Reform Bill and the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 became law on 2 August 2010. The Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 and the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 became law on 13 August 2010.
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Assembly Business
The Speaker announced that over the Summer Recess a number of resignations had been received.
Mrs Naomi Long, Mr Jim Shannon and the Rt Hon Nigel Dodds are no longer Members of the Assembly.
The Speaker informed the Assembly there are four new members of the Assembly:
- Mr Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim) replaced Dr William McCrea
- Mr Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann) replaced My David Simpson
- Mr Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East) replaced Mrs Naomi Long
- Mr Simpson Gibson (DUP, Strangford) replaced Mr Jimm Shannon
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Ministerial Statements
NI Water
Minister of Regional Development (Mr C Murphy) made a statement on Governance Issues in NI Water to the Assembly. The Minister updated the Assembly on recent events relating to NI Water.
North/South Ministerial Council: Education Sectoral Format
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane) made a statement on a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council on the education sectoral format, which was held in St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint on 23 June 2010.
Review of Access to Justice
Minister of Justice (Mr D Ford) made a statement to the Assembly on Review of Access to Justice. The Minister informed the Assembly that the review will commence today (13 September 2010) and will be carried out by Mr Jim Daniell, who is standing down as chairman of the Legal Services Commission to lead the review.
Intergovernmental Agreement in Criminal Justice Co-operation
Minister of Justice (Mr D Ford) made a statement to the Assembly on a meeting with Dermot Ahern TD in regards to intergovernmental agreement on co-operation on criminal justice matters, in Carlingford on Friday 9 July.
Public Expenditure: Provisional Out-turn 2009-2010 and June Monitoring 2010-11
The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr S Wilson) made a statement to the Assembly on Departments’ spending performance in 2009-2010 and also updated the Assembly on the outcome of the June monitoring process.
The Minister first updated the Assembly on the next spending review; the Minister informed the Assembly that he had met all the other Ministers in a series of Budget bilaterals “The bilaterals were, largely, helpful in giving me a sense of departmental pressures and priorities, but I take this opportunity to record my growing unease at what I call the disconnect that was made evident by some Ministers.”
The Minister then informed the Assembly of departmental spending performance in 2009-2010. The Minister stated that Executive have delivered significant investment in public services in 2009-2010, with current expenditure of £9·5 billion and net capital investment of £1·5 billion. In addition, even with the shortfalls in capital receipts, Departments managed to deliver £1·7 billion in gross capital investment.
He then stated “In relation to current expenditure, the overall underspend by Northern Ireland Departments in 2009-2010 was £65·1 million. That equates to a rate of 0·7%, compared with 0·5% in 2008-09 and 2·1% in 2007-08.” Although the underspend is higher than the previous year it is still within acceptable levels.
The Minister concluded his statement by saying “We are all aware of the difficult times that lie ahead, and the time has come for the Executive and the Assembly to come together to make the difficult decisions that are required to deliver the best possible outcome for the people of Northern Ireland.”
North/South Ministerial Council: Trade and Business Development Sectoral Format
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs A Foster) made a statement to the Assembly on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council on trade and business development sectoral format. The meeting was held in the offices of the North/South Ministerial Council in Armagh on Wednesday 30 June 2010.
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Questions to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Mr D O'Loan (SDLP, North Antrim) asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their proposed amendments to the Draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill
The junior Minister Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr G Kelly): A number of amendments have been made to the draft Bill following the conclusion of the public consultation on 14 July. The key change has been the removal of all public meetings from the remit of the legislation, in direct response to the concerns raised by a number of individuals, community groups, trade unions and churches during the consultation period. We have considered the views submitted during the consultation and have amended the Bill accordingly. The new legislation will be fully consistent with international human rights standards.
In a Supplementary question Mr O’Loan asked; As the junior Minister said, the Human Rights Commission and the trade unions expressed serious concerns about public meetings, legitimate demonstrations and protest meetings. Have those bodies indicated that they are content with the proposed amendments? There may still be serious problems with the legislation.
The junior Minister (Mr G Kelly): Those issues, among others, were discussed at an early stage in the consultation and brought to our attention, and we acted on them. Most if not all of the stakeholders will be satisfied with the amendments we have made.
Mr F McCann (Sinn Fein, West Belfast) asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps the Executive will take to safeguard disadvantaged people who have been adversely impacted by the recent budget.
The deputy First Minister (Mr M McGuinness): The total amount of funding that is available to the Executive will be confirmed only when the outcome of the 2010 UK spending review is announced on 20 October 2010. Currently, Departments are developing their spending plans to be considered by the Executive, and they have been asked to complete impact assessments so that equality and good relations impacts are considered at the same time as their proposals. It will be for the Executive to decide their priorities for the new spending review period, and only following public consultation on the Programme for Government, Budget and investment strategy and Assembly endorsement will final allocations be confirmed.
The Assembly will be aware that, following the Executive away day at Greenmount, the First Minister and I made it clear that one of our priorities would be protecting our most vulnerable citizens, especially those who are at risk of poverty. In our bids for the forthcoming CSR, we have sought funding to target some of our most disadvantaged areas and for a pilot project in relation to earnings disregard.
In a Supplementary question Mr McCann asked; Given what the deputy First Minister just said about the pilot project to look at the impact of an increase in the earnings disregard, how does that approach fit in with the OFMDFM Committee’s inquiry into child poverty?
The deputy First Minister (Mr M McGuinness): I believe that that approach fits perfectly with the important work that is being carried out by the OFMDFM Committee. Members will recall that the inquiry report recommended that:
“making work pay should be a specific objective within the Lifetime Opportunities Implementation Plan”.
Furthermore, the Committee recommended that a pilot scheme, Better Off in Work, should be developed. Given OFMDFM’s lead role, we are taking on that challenge by seeking to ensure that those who suffer most from disadvantage have an opportunity to take up work without being made worse off by the current inadequacies of the benefits system.
Dr S Farry (Alliance, North Down) asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline their response to the UK Government's decision to abolish the Sustainable Development Commission.
The deputy First Minister (Mr M McGuinness): The Sustainable Development Commission has provided the Executive with valuable support on sustainable development. In the light of DEFRA’s decision to withdraw funding from the Sustainable Development Commission, we are considering a number of options for the delivery of the functions that have to date been supported and carried out by that body. Our Department continues to work closely with all parties involved to explore and take advantage of potential opportunities for co-operation. Decisions must be taken against the background of the current spending pressures faced by all Departments. Every effort will be made to identify the most effective means of delivering sustainable development priorities and objectives now and in the future.
The Executive are committed to the principles of sustainable development and to progressing the priorities and strategic objectives set out in our new sustainable development strategy. All 12 Departments have brought forward comprehensive programmes of activity supporting the strategic objective of the Executive, as have a range of bodies outside government.
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Questions to the Minister of Education
Mr G Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry) asked the Minister of Education why she did not spend her full school building budget for the 2009/10 financial year when many schools are in need of a re-build or urgent repair.
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): In 2009-2010, 100% of the final capital budget of £242 million was spent. Fifteen new schools were opened, representing an investment of £135·2 million. So far this year, my Department has opened eight new schools and eight more are under construction, representing a further investment in the schools estate of £225·5 million. Furthermore, I recently announced a further school project worth £13 million, which will commence on site this financial year at an estimated value of a further £65·5 million.
Since taking up position as Minister of Education, I have spent the capital resources that have been available to me. I have proven that, if I get the funding that is needed, I can spend it. I will continue to lobby for more capital funding to bring the schools estate to an acceptable level, and I will continue to lobby for more resource funding to ensure that our school buildings are properly maintained.
Basically, the message I have is: give me the money, and I will build schools and continue to maintain them. Therefore, I call on the Executive to prioritise front line services across the Budget 2010 period to ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided in order to allow me to effect real change in the condition of our schools estate and to improve the educational experience of all children.
My record contrasts starkly with that of direct rule Ministers, who handed back £62 million worth of funding in 2005-06 and £91 million in 2006-07. We spent 100% of our budget this year.
Ms C Ní Chuilín (Sinn Fein, North Belfast) asked the Minister of Education how much funding has been lost to front-line education services as a result of the failure to implement the Executive's decision to establish the Education and Skills Authority.
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): I am grateful to my colleague Caral Ní Chuilín for raising this important topic. Members will know that the Education Bill passed its Committee Stage almost a year ago, at the end of September 2009. Since then, the Executive have not been able to progress the Bill to Consideration Stage. However, financial projections for 2010 onward had already been made in the expectation of forthcoming savings from the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA). For example, in the current year, £13 million has been removed from the baseline for my Department. Those figures were already known, and the reductions have been taken from expenditure that ordinarily underpins support services and other non-schools expenditure.
To date, no impact on frontline services has been realised, although the continuing delay and the financial prospects for future years will mean that the threat to front line services will rise the longer the legislation is delayed. My Department has continued to work to progress convergence of services across all education and library board areas until such time as the legislation is enacted to establish the unitary authority. I trust that that work will enable front line services to be protected from the further reductions that will inevitably follow. We have to stop spending money unnecessarily on administration and make sure that we get much-needed money into the front line.
Ms M Ritchie (SDLP, South Down) asked the Minister of Education for her assessment of the procurement process within her Department for capital projects.
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): Thirty five new major works schools projects have been procured in the past three years. That represents an investment of around £300 million in our schools estate to ensure that our children are educated in the best possible environment for learning and development. The new schools will provide our children with state-of-the-art accommodation, up-to-date technology and enhanced information technology systems. My Department is clear on the need to ensure that capital projects are carried out in line with public procurement policy and in accordance with the principles of best practice and equality. It has communicated that to all boards and non-departmental public bodies.
Mr P McGlone (SDLP, Mid Ulster) asked the Minister of Education how many schools reported health and safety issues in relation to school buildings and grounds in the last three years.
The Minister of Education (Ms C Ruane): In the course of running any school, health and safety issues will arise, and the majority of schools in the estate have reported health and safety issues in recent years. The issues can range from a broken window to a roof falling in. The truth is that we need significant additional funds to deal with the legacy of underinvestment. We need to ensure that priority be given to investment in education and that sufficient funding be available to bring our schools up to the standards that our children deserve. I will continue to press for funding for the schools estate. I assure the Member that if additional funding were made available to my Department, it would be used effectively.
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Committee Business
A number of changed where made to the Northern Ireland Statutory Committees, a full list of changes can be found on the following link;
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 17 December 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Commissioner for Older People Bill (NIA Bill 21/09).
The motion was passed.
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Tuesday 14 September
Assembly Business
The Speaker announced that Mr William Humphrey has replaced Rt Hon Nigel Dodds for the Belfast North Constituency.
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Ministerial Statement
North/South Ministerial Council: Plenary Format
The deputy First Minister (Mr M McGuinness) gave a statement to the Assembly on the tenth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in plenary format, which was held in Farmleigh House, Dublin, on Monday 5 July 2010.
British-Irish Council: Environment Sectoral Format
The junior Minister Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr Newton) gave a statement to the Assembly on the tenth British-Irish Council meeting held in environment sectoral format at the Dove Marine Laboratory, Newcastle, on Thursday 15 July 2010.
North/South Ministerial Council: Health and Food Safety Sectoral Format
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr McGimpsey) made statement on the tenth North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting in health and food safety sectoral format, which took place in the NSMC joint secretariat offices in Armagh on Wednesday 2 June 2010.
Executive Committee Business
Draft Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010
Before the motion was presented The Speaker informed members that the motion was about setting up a corporate board, with 10 members and a chairperson and that all members should only discuss this issue.
The deputy First Minister (Mr M McGuinness) proposed;
That the draft Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 be approved.
The deputy First Minister then outlined the proposed propose of the Maze/Long Kesh site. The Debate mostly stayed in the confines of the motion, but on occasions a number of members spoke about transformation centre. The First Minister (Mr P Robinson) wound up the Debate.
The Motion was passed.
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Questions to the Minister for Employment and Learning
Mr P McGlone (SDLP, Mid-Ulster) asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many students domiciled in Northern Ireland had their application for a university place here rejected for the 2010-11 academic year; and, of these, how many attained a university place elsewhere.
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Mr R Empey): According to preliminary data from UCAS, 19,600 individuals from Northern Ireland applied for a university place in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2010-11. Of those 19,600 individuals, 8,100 have accepted an offer from a Northern Ireland university, 4,400 have accepted an offer from a Great Britain university, and 7,000 individuals did not meet the application criteria and were not offered a place by a university in the United Kingdom. Of the 4,400 individuals who accepted offers from Great Britain universities, some 700 were not offered a place at a Northern Ireland institution. Approximately, more than 2,000 were offered a place at a Northern Ireland institution but chose to accept a place at a Great Britain university.
Mrs M Bradley (SDLP, Foyle) asked the Minister for Employment and Learning what assistance his Department is providing to local universities to attract alternative sources of funding following his statement in August 2010 that it will not be possible for his Department to continue funding to universities along the lines of the last five years.
The Minister for Employment and Learning (Mr R Empey): My Department currently provides 42% of its overall funding for teaching, research and knowledge transfer. The universities, as autonomous institutions, have a responsibility to use that core funding from the Department to leverage additional resources from a range of public and private funding bodies, such as the UK research councils, Invest Northern Ireland, the European Commission, the Technology Strategy Board and charities and from industry directly.
Evidence shows that both Queen’s and the University of Ulster continue to be very active and successful in those arenas. For example, the Queen’s University Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology has levered major investments from both Invest NI and the European Commission to augment my Department’s capital investment. The UK’s largest medical research charity, the Wellcome Trust, has also invested more than £400,000 in the pioneering no wires medical device research emerging from the University of Ulster’s Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre, which is to be exploited commercially through one of the University’s spin-out companies. That demonstrates the wider economic benefits associated with investments in higher education research and development.
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Questions to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Rev Dr R Coulter (UUP, North Antrim) asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on her Department’s Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs Foster): I launched the Executive’s current cross-departmental social economy enterprise strategy (SEE) in March of this year. The strategy was developed in partnership with the social economy network (SEN), which represents the sector, and other key stakeholders inside and outside government that have a role to play in supporting its development. The latest strategy continues the commitment to three strategic objectives: to increase awareness of the sector; to develop its business strength; and to provide a supportive environment in which it can prosper. Those continue to be highly relevant, especially in the current economic downturn.
A cross-departmental policy group continues to monitor the delivery of the strategy, and an independent evaluation of the strategy will be undertaken early next year to assess its impact on the sector.
Mr J O'Dowd (Sinn Fein, Upper Bann) asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for an update on the status of all outstanding applications for projects related to INTERREG IVA funding with which her Department is associated.
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs Foster): The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is the managing authority for the INTERREG IVa programme, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is the accountable Northern Ireland Department for projects under the enterprise, tourism, telecommunications and energy themes. My officials are considering documentation on one tourism project that SEUPB presented to us at the beginning of September 2010. Further information on that case is still to be provided by SEUPB. I understand that SEUPB is processing approximately 10 enterprise and tourism project proposals, but those have not yet been presented to my Department for final consideration.
Mr T Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone) asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what discussions she has had with her Executive colleagues regarding the potential devolution of power to vary corporation tax.
The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mrs Foster): Fiscal policy is currently a reserved matter and is under the responsibility of Her Majesty’s Treasury. Therefore, the devolution of power to vary corporation tax is not simply a matter for the Executive but for the United Kingdom Government. In that context, the Finance Minister and I met the Exchequer Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 19 August 2010 to discuss the proposed HM Treasury paper on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy. One of the issues to be considered in that paper is the scope to reduce the level of corporation tax in Northern Ireland. The contents of the paper will be issued by Her Majesty’s Treasury for consultation in the autumn.
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Committee Business
Participation in Sport and Physical Activity
The Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McElduff) proposed that: That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on its Inquiry into Participation in Sport and Physical Activity in Northern Ireland.
Mr McElduff then informed the Assembly of some of the detailed and evidence received during the complying of the report.
The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure also spoke and commented the committee and the report. The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr O’Loan) concluded the debate.
The motion was passed
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This Week at the Assembly
Monday 20 September
Question Time
Questions to the Minister of the Environment
Mrs M O'Neill (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster)
To ask the Minister of the Environment when he expects the public inquiry to be completed on NI Electricity Service's planning application for the north south electricity interconnector.
Mr A McQuillan (DUP, East Londonderry)
To ask the Minister of the Environment what progress has been made on the redeployment of Planning Service staff.
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Questions to the Minister for Finance and Personnel
Ms M Ritchie (SDLP, South Down)
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the likely reduction in the resource and capital elements of the Northern Ireland Block Grant for 2011/12, based on his discussions with the Treasury.
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel for his assessment of the First Minister's assertion that there may be a better way to deal with the forthcoming budget reduction than implementing pro-rata cuts across Departments; and whether he is considering any alternative options.
Ms D Purvis (Independent, East Belfast)
To ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel what progress has been made in relation to the Dormant Bank Accounts Scheme and when he expects the relevant legislation to be in place.
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Committee Business
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Student Loans (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 22/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning (Mrs D Kelly) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 11 November 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Student Loans (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 22/09).
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Employment (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning (Mrs D Kelly) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 2 December 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Employment (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 24/09).
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Welfare of Animals Bill (NIA Bill 28/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development (Mr S Moutray) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 December 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Welfare of Animals Bill (NIA Bill 28/09).
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 32/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development (Mr S Hamilton) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 28 January 2011, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill (NIA Bill 32/09).
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Energy Bill (NIA Bill 23/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Mr A Maginness) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 29 November 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Energy Bill (NIA Bill 23/09).
Motion - Extension of Committee Stage: Safeguarding Board Bill (NIA Bill 25/09)
The Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Mr J Wells) will propose:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 17 December 2010, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Safeguarding Board Bill (NIA Bill 25/09).
Motion - Report on the Inquiry into the Role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Scrutinising the Executive's Budget and Expenditure
The Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel (Ms J McCann) will propose:
That this Assembly approves the second Report of the Committee for Finance and Personnel (NIA 66/09/10R) on its Inquiry into the Role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Scrutinising the Executive's Budget and Expenditure; and calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel, in conjunction with Executive colleagues, to implement, as applicable, the recommendations contained therein.
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Private Members Business
Motion - Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Strategy
Mr A McQuillan (DUP, East Londonderry), Mr G Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry) and Mr G Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry) will propose a motion to the Assembly:
That this Assembly calls on the Executive to introduce legislation to compel builders to fit carbon monoxide alarms to all new homes; and further calls on the Executive to bring forward a strategy to raise awareness of this silent killer and to encourage people to fit carbon monoxide alarms.
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Tuesday 21 September
Question Time
Questions to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety if and when he will introduce measures to control the point-of-sale advertising of tobacco products.
Mr D McNarry (UUP, Strangford)
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an assessment of his Department's budgetary position.
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the effectiveness of the new commissioning arrangements.
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the pressures faced by Child Protection Services within the Family and Childcare Social Work Programme.
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Questions to the Minister for Justice
Mr T Gallagher (SDLP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)
To ask the Minister of Justice when it became known that an incorrect Special Treatment Order was issued for the McDermott brothers, how long it took to correct the error and re-issue the order and what steps are being taken to investigate the circumstances of the error.
Mr P Maskey (Sinn Fein, West Belfast)
To ask the Minister of Justice to outline his strategy for supporting and developing community based restorative justice schemes.
Mr M Brady (Sinn Fein, Newry and Armagh)
To ask the Minister of Justice what steps he is taking to reduce crime against older people.
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Private Members Business
Motion - Outstanding Medical Negligence Cases
Mr J O'Dowd (Sinn Fein, Upper Bann), Mrs M O’Neill (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster) and Ms S Ramsey (Sinn Fein, Belfast West) will propose a motion to the Assembly:
That this Assembly expresses its deep concern at the delay in resolving some medical negligence cases, with one case ongoing for 27 years, and a total of 55 cases lasting over 15 years; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to commission a review of all medical negligence cases outstanding for ten years or more, to ensure that they are being dealt with expeditiously, and to report on how cases, generally, can be handled in a more efficient, timely and compassionate manner.
Motion - Human Trafficking
Mr T Elliott (Fermanagh and South Tyrone), Mr D McNarry (UUP, Strangford) and Mr D Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim) will propose a motion to the Assembly:
That this Assembly condemns human trafficking; notes with grave concern the growing prevalence of human trafficking for the sex trade, domestic servitude and labour exploitation in Northern Ireland; further notes that men, women and children are victims of human trafficking and that human trafficking exists because of local demand; and calls on the Minister of Justice and the Executive to raise awareness of human trafficking among the public in order to assist the authorities in securing prosecutions against those who carry out this modern form of slavery and to ensure that Northern Ireland is a hostile place for traffickers.
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Committeees
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
Dogs (Amendment) Bill 10.30 – 12.30pm
Welfare of Animals Bill 1.30 – 4.00pm
Public Session - Room TBC, Parliament Buildings
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Wednesday 22 September
Proposed Concurrent Meeting of the Committee for Finance and Personnel and Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
Banking Issues: Evidence from Church Leaders & Business Representatives
Banking Issues: Evidence from Institute of Directors
Banking Issues: Evidence from First Trust, Ulster Bank, Northern Bank and Bank of Ireland (
Banking Issues: Evidence from British Bankers’ Association
Closed Session 10.00 – 11.00am
Public Session – Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings at 11.00am
Committee for Employment and Learning
NEETs Inquiry: Briefing from West Belfast Partnership Board on the role of Alternative Education Providers
Briefing from Assembly Research on Reports from Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills (NIAES).
Primary Legislation: The Student Loans (Amendment) Bill: Briefing from Student representatives
Public Session – Room 29, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am
Committee for Regional Development
Roads Service Depot Reorganisation: Departmental briefing
Transport Bill: Committee Stage
Belfast City Centre Traffic Management Plans: Departmental briefing. (Closed Session – 11.40 – 12.00)
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Public Session - Room 21, Parliament Buildings at 10.30am
Committee on Standards and Privileges
Periodic Report from the Interim Commissioner for Standards
Committee Bill on the appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Application for an All-Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals
Open Session 1.15pm – 1.30pm (Approx)
Closed Session 1.30pm - 2.10pm (Approx)
Open Session 2.10pm - 3.00pm (Approx)
Room 30, Parliament Buildings at 1.15pm
Committee for Education
Presentation from the Regional Training Unit on Successful Post Primary Schools
Public Session - Room 21, Parliament Buildings at 2.00pm
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Ministerial Briefing
Victims and Survivors Commissioners Report on Dealing with the Past
Commissioner for Older People Bill
Public Session - Room 30, Parliament Buildings at 2.00pm
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Thursday 23 September
Committee for Social Development
Caravans Bill
Public Session - Room 29, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am
Committee for the Environment
Derry City Council/Strabane Transition Committee briefing on Local Government Finance Bill
CIPFA briefing on Local Government Finance Bill
Consultations
Consultation on the review of the criteria for listing – synopsis of responses
Consultation on an Equality Impact Assessment for a proposed Justice Bill (NI) 2010
Public Session - Room 144, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am
Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Closed 10.30am - 10.45am approximately
Written briefing from DCAL on Final Outturn
Briefing from Assembly Research Services on possible inquiry into Arms Length Bodies situation in GB
Public Session - Room 21, Parliament Buildings at TBC
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
Presentation from NICVA on the Spending Review
Public Session - Room 29, Parliament Buildings at 1.30pm
Committee for Justice
Budget 2010 Process
Departmental Briefing on Desertcreat Training College
Public Session – Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings at 2.00pm
Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland Bill
Public Session - Room 30, Parliament Buildings at 2.00pm
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