Tuesday, 2 February 2016
The Assembly met at 10:30 am (Speaker [Mr Mitchel McLaughlin] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
Before we proceed to today's business, I have some announcements to make. I wish to inform the House that the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill received Royal Assent on Friday 29 January 2016. It...
The Food Hygiene Rating Bill received Royal Assent on Friday 29 January 2016. It will be known as the Food Hygiene Rating Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.
Mr Alban Maginness has sought leave to present a public petition in accordance with Standing Order 22. The Member will have up to three minutes to speak.
I call the junior Minister Ms Jennifer McCann to move the Bill. Moved. — [Ms J McCann (Junior Minister, Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister).]
I beg to move That the Departments Bill [NIA Bill 70/11-16] do now pass. This is a very short Bill, consisting of only three clauses and two schedules. Yet, it is a Bill that will have...
I beg to move That the Rates (Amendment) Bill [NIA Bill 75/11-16] do now pass. Before providing Members with a recap of the content of the Bill in its final form, I will briefly take the...
I beg to move That the draft Public Service (Civil Servants and Others) Pensions (Consequential Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 be approved. Schedule 13 to the...
Members, questions 13 and 14 have been withdrawn.
1. Mr McAleer asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the work his Department has undertaken following the publication of the final report of the supporting people review. (AQO...
2. Mrs D Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development, given that it provides 88,000 childcare places, to outline how he will ensure the future of the women's centre childcare fund, which is...
3. Mr G Kelly asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the timescale for further progress on the Girdwood community complex in North Belfast (AQO 9525/11-16)
4. Mrs Overend asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on the timescale for the transfer of regeneration powers to local government. (AQO 9526/11-16)
5. Mr Lyttle asked the Minister for Social Development for an update on funding for independent advice centres. (AQO 9527/11-16)
6. Mr McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Development how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings in East Londonderry are inhabitable. (AQO 9528/11-16)
8. Mr McKay asked the Minister for Social Development, following the recent publication of the Equality Commission's investigation report on the Department for Social Development's compliance...
9. Mr Diver asked the Minister for Social Development to outline the funding his Department will provide to increase the building of social and affordable housing. (AQO 9531/11-16)
I too welcome the new Minister and thank him for his recent visit to north Down. We are looking for a lot of good things from him.
T4. Mr Lyons asked the Minister for Social Development what action his Department is taking to deal with housing benefit fraud and what progress has been made. (AQT 3424/11-16)
Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. In continuance of the warm glow around you, Minister, I add my best wishes as you take up your responsibilities in the Department.
T6. Mr Ó Muilleoir asked the Minister for Social Development about an issue that he would remember from his last stint as Minister, which was the Holylands, where there are continuing...
T7. Mr Frew asked the Minister for Social Development whether Housing Executive maintenance and capital delays are unique to the North Antrim constituency, where there have been massive delays...
Questions 1 and 9 have been withdrawn.
2. Mr Cochrane-Watson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development by how much her Department has reduced the administrative burden on farmers and agrifood businesses since 2007. (AQO...
3. Mr Lunn asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what discussions she has had with her counterparts in London and Edinburgh concerning contingency plans in the event of the...
4. Ms Maeve McLaughlin asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on her plans to use the forest estate for the development of wind energy. (AQO 9540/11-16)
5. Mr G Kelly asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline the achievements of the all-island animal health and welfare strategy. (AQO 9541/11-16)
6. Mr Dunne asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development when the rural development programme will be open for applications. (AQO 9542/11-16)
7. Mr Flanagan asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on the success of the young farmers' scheme. (AQO 9543/11-16)
T2. Ms Ruane asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what difference her rural proofing Bill will make to our rural communities. (AQT 3432/11-16)
T4. Mr I McCrea asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on progress on the Rivers Agency headquarters at Loughry, following her announcement in July 2015 that the...
T5. Mr McElduff asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether we are any closer to developing an all-island label for food produce and meat. (AQT 3435/11-16)
T6. Mr Ó Muilleoir asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to spell out the implications of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) to the agricultural...
T7. Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, given that beef prices being offered to local farmers are considerably less than those being offered to farmers in Scotland,...
T8. Mr Lyttle asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she would be willing to meet him to discuss the potential transfer of Cairn Wood to DARD’s Forest Service. (AQT...
I inform the House that a valid petition of concern has been received in relation to clauses 13 and 21 and schedule 1. I must, therefore, advise the House that today's proceedings on the Bill...