Criminal Justice Bill: Further Consideration Stage

Executive Committee Business – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:00 am on 12 March 2013.

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Photo of William Hay William Hay Speaker 11:00, 12 March 2013

Before we move to the Bill, I want to warn all sides of the House.  I know that this is a very sensitive and emotive issue, and I certainly do not want Members rising in their place to personalise the debate.  I know that there are many different views across the Chamber, but, if Members cross that line, I will deal with them, ask them to take their seats and move on.  I expect a good standard of debate and moderation of language in the Chamber.  Let us move on.

I call on the Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, to move Further Consideration Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill.

Moved. — [Mr Ford (The Minister of Justice).]

Photo of William Hay William Hay Speaker

Members will have a copy of the Marshalled List of amendments detailing the order for consideration.  The amendments have been grouped for debate in my provisional grouping of amendments selected list.

There are three groups of amendments, and we will debate the amendments in each group in turn.  The first debate will be on amendment No 1, which deals with restricting lawful abortions to National Health Service premises, except in cases of urgency when access to NHS premises is not possible and where no fee is paid.  The second debate will be on amendment Nos 2, 3 and 7, which deal with allowing magistrates' courts to operate on Sundays in exceptional circumstances.  The third debate will be on amendment Nos 4, 5 and 6.  Amendment No 5 seeks to ensure that an order governing the procedures of the commissioner for biometric material will be subject to affirmative resolution by the Assembly.  Amendment Nos 4 and 6 are technical amendments.  Once the debate on each group is completed, any further amendments in that group will be moved formally as we go through the Bill, and the Question on each will be put without further debate.  If that is clear, we shall proceed.