Alan Chambers: No other Members have indicated that they wish to speak. Question put, That Mr Mike Nesbitt be Speaker of this Assembly. Ayes 27; Noes 26 AYES UNIONIST: Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Beattie, Mr Butler, Mr Elliott, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Swann OTHER: Ms Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brown, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Ms Eastwood, Ms Egan, Mr Honeyford, Mrs...
Alan Chambers: I have been advised by the party Whips that, in accordance with Standing Order 27(1A)(b), there is agreement that we can dispense with the three minutes and move straight to the Division. The Assembly divided: Ayes 53; Noes 26 AYES NATIONALIST: Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Brogan, Mr Delargy, Ms Dillon, Ms Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Ennis, Ms Ferguson, Ms Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Ms...
Alan Chambers: The Assembly has been unable to elect a Speaker today and has been unable to conduct its first business. Therefore, we can proceed no further. Any further sittings of the Assembly can be held only to first elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers. Under section 39(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the current Speaker will remain in office until a successor is elected. I therefore propose, by...
Alan Chambers: I thank Mr Nesbitt for that point of order. On a [Interruption.] [Laughter.] I can assure Members that I did not touch any buttons. [Laughter.] On a personal level, I apologise for any errors that I may have made during the proceedings today. I am available for any future bookings, however, as and when required. Adjourned at 1.54 pm.
Alan Chambers: Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?
Alan Chambers: The Member has an extra minute.
Alan Chambers: Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?
Alan Chambers: The Member has the Floor.
Alan Chambers: Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?
Alan Chambers: Members, I think that everybody who wanted to speak has had an opportunity to do so in proper order. Please respect that and give Members the courtesy of being heard. Please exercise a little courtesy to other Members.
Alan Chambers: The Member will have an extra minute.
Alan Chambers: Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?
Alan Chambers: Order, Members. Order.
Alan Chambers: [Inaudible.]
Alan Chambers: You will have.
Alan Chambers: Order, please. Please. I have given [Interruption.] I have given [Interruption.] Be quiet. I have given Mr Murphy an extra minute. Now, let him finish.
Alan Chambers: Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?
Alan Chambers: I call Gary Middleton.
Alan Chambers: I am sure that the Member will indulge the fact that I am the Acting Speaker today. I will call the next Member to speak, Gary Middleton.
Alan Chambers: I apologise to the Member for the misunderstanding at the start.