Northern Ireland Assembly debates
Monday, 2 July 2012

• Northern Ireland Assembly (0 speeches)
  The Assembly met at 12.00 noon (Mr Speaker in the Chair). Members observed two minutes’ silence.
• Committee Business (1 speech)
  Before we proceed, I inform Members that I have been notified by the Sinn Féin nominating officer of a number of changes of Committee Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons. Ms Michaela Boyle...
• Assembly Business (0 speeches)
  • Public Petition: Townlands (9 speeches)
    Mr Seán Lynch has sought leave to present a public petition in accordance with Standing Order 22. The Member will have up to three minutes to speak.
• Assembly Business (0 speeches)
  • Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe: Regional Chamber (1 speech)
    As with similar motions, this will be treated as a business motion. Therefore, there will be no debate. Resolved: That this Assembly nominates Mr Stewart Dickson to be a substitute member of the...
• Executive Committee Business (0 speeches)
  • Suspension of Standing Orders (3 speeches)
    I beg to move That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for Monday 2 July 2012.
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • British-Irish Council Summit: 22 June 2012 (29 speeches)
    In accordance with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following report on the eighteenth summit meeting of the British-Irish Council, which was held in Stirling...
  • Youth Employment Scheme and NEETS (31 speeches)
    This statement is on the launch of a new programme to help unemployed young people into the world of work, and some other measures to address those people who fall into the not in education,...
  • Education: Early Years (28 speeches)
    Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom ráiteas a dhéanamh leis an Tionól. I want to make a statement to the Assembly on the outcome of the consultation on the...
  • Access to Justice Review: Departmental Action Plan (18 speeches)
    On 13 September 2011, I announced the publication of the final report of the access to justice review and invited views on its 159 conclusions and recommendations. I have considered the responses...
• Assembly Business (0 speeches)
  • New Assembly Members: Ms Megan Fearon, Mr Declan McAleer, Ms Rosaleen McCorley, Ms Bronwyn McGahan (1 speech)
    Before we move to Question Time, I have been informed by the Chief Electoral Officer of the return of a number of new Assembly Members. Ms Megan Fearon has been returned for the Newry and Armagh...
• Oral Answers to Questions (0 speeches)
• Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (0 speeches)
  • Social Investment Fund (11 speeches)
    1. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister when the screening for the social investment fund will be operational.         (AQO 2283/11-15)
  • EU Funding (8 speeches)
    2. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the progress made in drawing down EU funding. (AQO 2284/11-15)
  • Delivering Social Change (21 speeches)
    3. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Delivering Social Change framework.    (AQO 2285/11-15)
  • Commissioner for Public Appointments (10 speeches)
    4. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the work of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.  (AQO 2286/11-15)
  • Child Poverty Report (3 speeches)
    5. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister why there was a delay in laying the annual child poverty report before the Assembly.     (AQO 2287/11-15)
• Education (0 speeches)
  • Schools: Area Planning (10 speeches)
    1. asked the Minister of Education how he will ensure during the summer period that schools and their staff are kept adequately informed on progress with area planning.   (AQO 2298/11-15)
  • Newly Qualified Teachers (8 speeches)
    2. asked the Minister of Education how he intends to create more employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers.  (AQO 2299/11-15)
  • Primary Schools: East Belfast (10 speeches)
    3. asked the Minister of Education what plans he has to allow some of the oversubscribed primary schools in East Belfast to expand.      (AQO 2300/11-15)
  • Ministerial Appointments (15 speeches)
    4. asked the Minister of Education, in relation to ministerial appointments, what the respective success rates have been for Protestant and Catholic applicants since May 2007. (AQO 2301/11-15)
  • Castle Tower School, Ballymena (8 speeches)
    5. asked the Minister of Education for an update on the proposed capital works scheme for Castle Tower School in Ballymena.     (AQO 2302/11-15)
  • Nursery Schools: Placements (11 speeches)
    6. asked the Minister of Education how many pupils were not successful in being placed in their first choice nursery school and are currently awaiting placement for September 2012.  ...
  • Question for Urgent Oral Answer (0 speeches)
• Regional Development (0 speeches)
  • Reducing Risk of Flooding (1 speech)
    Mr Stewart Dickson has given notice of a question for urgent oral answer to the Minister for Regional Development. [Interruption.] Order, Members. In view of the seriousness of the issue, I...
  • Mr Dickson asked the Minister for Regional Development to report what steps he proposes to take to reduce the possibility of further flooding. (56 speeches)
    At the outset, let me say that my sympathies go out to those who have suffered from flooding and its consequences. As you may know, I took the opportunity to visit affected houses, properties and...
• Ministerial Statement (0 speeches)
  • Health: Maternity Strategy (25 speeches)
    With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the publication of a strategy for maternity care in Northern Ireland for 2012-18. In September 2011, a draft maternity...
  • North/South Ministerial Council: Environment (17 speeches)
    Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I wish to make a statement, in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on the 15th meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council...
• Executive Committee Business (0 speeches)
  • Charities Bill: First Stage (1 speech)
    I beg to introduce the Charities Bill [11/11-15], which is a Bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; to transfer certain functions of the Department for Social Development to the...
  • Budget (No. 2) Bill: Further Consideration Stage (2 speeches)
    I call the Minister of Finance and Personnel to move the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. Moved. — [Mr Wilson (The Minister of Finance and Personnel).]
  • The Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (30 speeches)
    I beg to move That the Jobseeker’s Allowance (Work Experience) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 be approved. The regulations were laid before the Assembly on 20 January 2012....
• Committee Business (0 speeches)
  • Archaeological Artefacts (21 speeches)
    This is a joint motion from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Committee for the Environment. The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to one hour and 30 minutes for the...
• Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
  • Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill: First Stage (1 speech)
    I beg to move the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill [12/11-15], which is a Bill to amend the law on special advisers in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Bill passed First Stage and ordered...