Assembly round-up
Parties differed over the Haass proposals when they were debated in January. The impending election campaigns mean that time is of the essence for making law and policy.
January’s proceedings opened with warm tributes to the late Paul Goggins – the last and one of the most respected direct rule ministers. DUP MLA Pam Cameron mentioned that her husband, Michael Cameron, was previously Goggins’ private secretary.
Goggins’ family had asked Cameron to convey “Paul’s eternal wish that all politicians here continue to build the trust and deliver the future that Paul hoped everyone in Northern Ireland would enjoy.”
Trust, though, was in short supply when members debated the Haass proposals later on 13 January. A motion calling for the proposals’ implementation was brought forward by Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly and was narrowly rejected by 52 votes to 49.
Peter Robinson counted “over 340 separate elements to the Haass proposals” and said that more work was needed to find areas where the five main Executive parties agreed: “It is far better to do it now when we have a clear insight into one another’s views on the issues concerned, and then let us try to resolve the outstanding matters.”
The next day, Edwin Poots formally launched an autism strategy for Northern Ireland. Poots acknowledged the “vital role” of the community and voluntary sector in its development but also cautioned that voluntary organisations “constantly compete with one another” for funding and attention. He hoped to see more co-operation between the organisations in the sector as they could “achieve so much more” by being united and “working in tandem” with government.
The Public Service Pensions Bill was one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation to come before the Assembly for some time. It passed its further consideration stage on 27 January with unionist MLAs and the Alliance Party supporting it on parity grounds. Nationalists and the Green Party were opposed, claiming that it would increase pressures on public sector workers.
OFMDFM question time saw Martin McGuinness acknowledging the level of public disappointment about the Assembly. “It is incumbent on all of us to be positive and constructive and to recognise that the lot of politicians among the general public is not great,” he said. “I find that embarrassing. What we need to do is show the public right across society that we have the ability to tackle these difficult [Haass] issues.”
Most of the Assembly’s spring business will need to be completed in March. Its Easter recess begins on 11 April and by the time members return on 28 April, the European and local election campaigns will be well under way. Many MLAs will be out and about on the campaign trail. Polling takes place on 22 May with the final results expected on 26 May.
Major debates | ||
Date | Subject | Result |
13 January | Haass proposals: call for implementation | Negatived: 52-49 |
14 January | Public Service Pensions Bill: consideration stage | Amended |
20 January | Rural development: call for increased funding | Negatived: 63-24 |
27 January | Public Service Pensions Bill: further consideration | Amended |
28 January | Health: accident and emergency departments | Resolved: no vote |
Stormont diary | |
Committees | |
Date | Subject |
5 March | Finance: equal pay claims |
11 March | Agriculture: Reservoir Bill scrutiny |
19 March | Education: careers education |
12 March | Public Accounts: police staffing |
26 March | Employment: labour statistics |
Recess | |
11 April | Easter recess starts |
27 April | Easter recess finishes |
European and council elections | |
24 April | European nominations close |
29 April | Council nominations close |
22 May | Polling day |
23-24 May | Council counts |
26 May | European count |
Bill tracker | |
Executive Bill | Stage |
Budget | Committee |
Carrier Bags | Consideration (28 January) |
Education | Committee |
Financial Provisions | Consideration (11 February) |
Health and Social Care | Final (11 February) |
Licensing of Pavement Cafés | Committee |
Local Government | Committee |
Public Sector Pensions | Final (4 February) |
Reservoirs | First (20 January) |
Tobacco Retailers | Further consideration (10 |
Welfare Reform | Committee |
Non-Executive Bill | Stage |
Human Trafficking and Exploitation | Committee |
Road Traffic (Speed Limits) | First (9 December) |
New Act | |
Road Races (Amendment) (17 January) |