Northern Ireland Assembly, 16 May 2011

263 contributions from 58 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

First, I will say a few words about what I expect for debates in the Chamber and about the nature of them, for the benefit of all Members who have been returned to the House. Let me briefly outline what I expect. In line with my rulings in the last mandate, which Members can look back on, debates should be conducted with courtesy, good temper and moderation. Members should avoid personalising remarks to any Member and should be careful to use proper names when addressing Members and referring to parties. Members will know that I was very strong on that issue in the House in the last mandate. When Members rise in their place to address the House, they certainly should not personalise remarks to any other Member.

Also, when it comes to referring to political parties in the Chamber, political parties should be known and referred to as what they are registered as with the Assembly. I do not want Members tagging names on to political parties in the House. There is no difficulty with expressing differences of opinion in the House, as long as debates are conducted with common courtesy and respect. I have said continually in the House that different debates and issues will raise different emotions among Members, and I can understand that. However, all of it should be conducted with courtesy, good temper and moderation. I will leave that with Members.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I inform Members that 13 Bills have received Royal Assent. The Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 became law on 29 March 2011. The Sunbeds Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Civil Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 became law on 3 May 2011. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Single Use Carrier Bags Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 became law on 4 May 2011. The Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 became law on 9 May 2011.

I advise Members that the Attorney General for Northern Ireland has asked the Supreme Court to determine whether clause 3 and clause 4(2) of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill would be within the legislative competence of this Assembly. The matter has been listed for consideration by the Supreme Court on 13 June 2011 to 16 June 2011. That is for information to the Assembly.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The next item of business is the motion —

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We are shortly to appoint Ministers, including a Justice Minister. That person will have to work closely with other Ministers, particularly in relation to legal matters. I ask for your ruling, if not today, at an appropriate point in the future. My understanding is that a Historical Enquiries Team investigation into a murder incident some 30 years ago is to begin this week. If it transpires — my understanding is that it will — that the deputy First Minister’s name will be implicated in relation to that investigation, how would a Justice Minister be expected to work in the context of a live investigation that was currently going on, until that matter be dispensed with?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I thank the Member for his point of order. The Member will know that these are complex issues, so allow me to come back to the Member directly or to the House. It may be that that is a matter for the Minister and the Minister alone.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I beg to move

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 16 May 2011.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Before I proceed to the Question, I remind Members that the motion requires cross-community support.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved (with cross-community support):

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 16 May 2011.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The next item of business is the appointment of Ministers. I will conduct the process for filling those offices in accordance with the procedure set out in section 18 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Standing Order 44. I will ask the nominating officer of each political party in the order required by the formula contained in section 18(5) to select an available ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his or her party and a Member of the Assembly.

I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I select the Finance and Personnel portfolio and nominate Mr Sammy Wilson to hold it.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr Wilson confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Antrim)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Finance and Personnel, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Sammy Wilson appointed Minister of Finance and Personnel.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I have received a letter from Mr Pat Doherty notifying me that Mr Martin McGuinness will act as nominating officer for today’s business. I call on Mr Martin McGuinness, as acting nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim John O’Dowd mar Aire Oideachais. I nominate John O’Dowd as Minister of Education.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr O’Dowd confirm that he is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Glacaim leis an phost d’Aire Oideachais. Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Education, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the NI Act 1998.

Mr John O’Dowd appointed Minister of Education.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I select the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and nominate Arlene Foster to hold the ministerial office.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mrs Foster confirm that she is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mrs Arlene Foster appointed Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Mr Elliott, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Department for Regional Development and nominate Mr Danny Kennedy to hold the ministerial office.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr Kennedy confirm that he is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Regional Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as laid out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Danny Kennedy appointed Minister for Regional Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on Mr Martin McGuinness to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Michelle O’Neill mar Aire Talmhaíochta agus Forbartha Tuaithe. I nominate Michelle O’Neill to hold the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Michelle O’Neill confirm that she is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Glacaim leis an phost. Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the NI Act 1998.

Mrs Michelle O’Neill appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Ms Margaret Ritchie, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I select the Department of the Environment and nominate Alex Attwood.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr Attwood confirm that he is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of the Environment, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Alex Attwood appointed Minister of the Environment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I select the Department for Social Development and nominate Nelson McCausland to hold the ministerial office.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr McCausland confirm that he is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Social Development, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Nelson McCausland appointed Minister for Social Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Mr Martin McGuinness to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Carál Ní Chuilín mar Aire Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta. I nominate Carál Ní Chuilín to hold the Culture, Arts and Leisure portfolio.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Carál Ní Chuilín confirm that she is willing to take up the office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Glacaim leis an phost. Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the NI Act 1998.

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín appointed Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I select the Health, Social Services and Public Safety portfolio, and I nominate Edwin Poots to hold it.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Mr Poots confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Edwin Poots appointed Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Mr David Ford, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

The remaining Department is the Department for Employment and Learning. I have great pleasure in nominating Dr Stephen Farry as Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Dr Stephen Farry confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

Yes, I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Employment and Learning, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Dr Stephen Farry appointed Minister for Employment and Learning.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I thank the House for its patience. That concludes the appointment of Ministers under the d’Hondt process. I offer my congratulations to all Ministers on taking up office.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I have received correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the appointment of junior Ministers. The letter states:

“Pursuant to the procedure for the appointment of junior Ministers specified in paragraph 3(1) of the determination made by the then First Minister and deputy First Minister on 8 December 1999, as approved by the Assembly on 14 December 1999, we have appointed Jonathan Bell MLA and Martina Anderson MLA as junior Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. A copy of the letter of appointment is attached.”

Will Mr Bell affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Jonathan Bell (DUP, Strangford)

I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Bell appointed a junior Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will Martina Anderson affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Martina Anderson (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Tá mé toilteanach glacadh leis an oifig seo. I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Ms Martina Anderson appointed a junior Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

That concludes the business of appointing junior Ministers. Once again, I offer my congratulations to the junior Ministers on taking up office.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I will conduct the process of the filling of the office of Minister of Justice in accordance with the procedures set out in Part 1A of schedule 4A to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Standing Order 44A. I will begin by asking for nominations. Any Member may rise and nominate another Member of the Assembly to hold the office of Minister of Justice. If Members rise from more than one party, I will call first the Member from the largest of those parties to make a nomination, which is the convention for other items of business.

I advise Members that the Act requires that one nomination must be processed before a further nomination can be made. I will, therefore, take only one nomination at a time and put the Question on that nomination. If the Assembly resolves by parallel consent that the Member nominated shall be Minister of Justice and that person takes up office as required by the Act and Standing Orders, no further nominations may be made. I will call for further nominations only if those conditions are not fulfilled. I advise the House that a debate will take place on each nomination. If Members indicate that they wish to speak, they may do so for up to three minutes. If that is clear, we shall proceed.

Do I have a nomination of a Member to hold the office of Minister of Justice?

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I have great pleasure in nominating Paul Givan for the position of Minister of Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Paul Givan has been nominated. Will he accept the nomination?

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I accept the nomination, Mr Speaker.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I took great pleasure in proposing the name of my colleague and friend Paul Givan for the post of Minister of Justice.

Some time ago, when the House took on the role of justice, some naysayers in our society predicted that the sky was about to fall. Indeed, there were dire predictions of what would happen if responsibility for justice came to the House. It is clear to everyone, and particularly recently to the electorate, that those fears have been unfounded.

It is a sign of the growing maturity of the House that we have moved things forward to the extent that, with the occasional exception, no Member would now oppose the devolution of policing and justice. It is the opportunity for us to shape our destiny. For many of our constituents, the issues of law and order and of justice lie at the very heart of our society, and it is in that spirit of moving things forward that I propose Paul Givan for the post of Justice Minister.

I will give some background. Paul grew up in a family involved in the Prison Service — I should say on the right side of the prison walls. Therefore, he is someone who, it might be said, has been in apprenticeship for this job for all his life. He is also someone who in public life has experience of government, serving first as a local councillor and then as a special adviser to Edwin Poots, who was then Minister of the Environment. Latterly, as a Member of the Assembly, he has served with distinction on the Justice Committee. The sort of vision that Paul can bring to the post will benefit all society.

As a party, one of our key pledges was tougher sentences. We believe that the criminal needs to be tackled. At times, too many people in the justice system still get off with too light a sentence. It is important that we have someone in post who will fight for those issues at the heart of government, and Paul is well placed to do so. It is a marker of something that we want to see happen and to which we will come back if we are unsuccessful today. Should we fail to gain cross-community support, we will not be obstructive and stand in the way of appointing a Justice Minister. However, I believe that Paul has demonstrated the experience and ability for the post and will provide the fresh face at the Department of Justice that can help take forward society in Northern Ireland. I am therefore happy to have proposed Paul Givan.

David McNarry (UUP, Strangford)

Last Friday, at the talks preparing for today, which, I might say, seems to have gone rather well so far, we put forward a practical proposition to run all Departments under d’Hondt, in the spirit of respecting all mandates and of connecting or reconnecting the work that we do in this institution to the people who sent us here. Our best efforts were not reciprocated, and, despite some other parties seeing merit in our proposals, we find that the Alliance Party will not concede on policing and justice.

I must say that I am somewhat surprised by the name that the DUP put forward, but, nevertheless, on behalf of the Ulster Unionists, I recognise him as someone with whom I have served on the Justice Committee, where I could see the obvious talents that were there. I like the idea that he might be a bit more right-wing than some of his colleagues. That having been said, it may — [Laughter.]

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order, Members. Allow the Member to continue.

David McNarry (UUP, Strangford)

Members will also have taken on board the cautionary note that Mr Givan’s proposer implanted in the debate, which was, “if we are not successful”. It may indeed turn out that, as in the past, intransigence will be rewarded with a ministerial position, but that remains to be seen. We are where we are today. We are going through a process that will be repeated in 12 months’ time, when we will run d’Hondt for all 12 Departments. Therefore, what we are doing now seems somewhat confusing for the public who may be watching or listening.

The Ulster Unionists will work this process. We will recognise the Minister of Justice and the role that he — it is likely to be a he — will have in the Government during the time of his or her office. The issues that will confront such a Minister will require the guidance and indeed support of all parties. We will play our role in protecting that Minister because —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member should draw his remarks to a close.

David McNarry (UUP, Strangford)

That Minister will have in his power the lives of all our citizens. Whoever that is, we will play our part. We wish that Minister well.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will reserve my comments until we get beyond what I suspect is the stalking horse candidate.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

I am delighted to be in a position to speak today after having been elected by the people of North Down. I take the opportunity of my maiden speech to thank all those who put their faith in me to represent them as their MLA —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order. The debate is about the nomination of a Justice Minister. I appreciate that the Member may be very anxious to make his maiden speech, but I suggest that it should not be made during this debate.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

No problem, Mr Speaker. It was seen as a success of the last Assembly that we were able to devolve policing and justice to Northern Ireland. However, it will be a failure of this Assembly if we do not agree that, in future, we should treat the position of Justice Minister like any other. My party has no great love of d’Hondt. However, for as long as other Ministries are appointed by d’Hondt, we believe that the Justice Minister should be appointed in that manner.

I accept that we are where we are. We all know how we got here. However, if we are truly to keep Northern Ireland moving forward, we have to keep our politics moving forward. Treating the Justice Ministry like any other is part of that process. I wish the new Justice Minister — whoever that may be — the best of luck in their role. However, I hope that, when we come to review the process by which we appoint the Justice Minister, we will agree that that portfolio should be treated like any other.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

That concludes the debate. Before we proceed to the Question, I remind the House that the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that the resolution must be passed by parallel consent.

Question put, That Mr Paul Givan be the Minister of Justice.

The Assembly divided: Ayes 37; Noes 51.

AYES

Unionist:

Mr Allister, Mr S Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mrs Lewis, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr S Anderson and Mr G Robinson.

NOES

Nationalist:

Ms M Anderson, Mr Attwood, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr D Bradley, Mr Brady, Mr Byrne, Mr W Clarke, Mr Dallat, Mr Doherty, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Mr Flanagan, Ms Gildernew, Mrs D Kelly, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr A Maginness, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McDevitt, Mr McElduff, Mr McGlone, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Mrs McKevitt, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Mr P Ramsey, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ritchie, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Other:

Mr Agnew, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McDevitt and Mr McKay.

Total votes 88 Total Ayes 37 [42.0%]

Nationalist Votes 42 Nationalist Ayes 0 [0.0%]

Unionist Votes 37 Unionist Ayes 37 [100%]

Other Votes 9 Other Ayes 0 [0.0%]

The following Members voted in both Lobbies and are therefore not counted in the result: Mr Beggs, Mr Copeland, Mrs Dobson, Mr Elliott, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr McCallister, Mr McClarty, Mr B McCrea, Mr McNarry, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr Swann.

Question accordingly negatived.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Do I have a nomination for a Member to hold the office of Minister of Justice?

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I would like to nominate my colleague Alban Maginness, who is a gentleman of considerable ability, not only political but legal. He has a considerable background as a practising barrister of many years and would be eminently qualified to undertake the position of Minister of Justice.

We believe that it should have been possible — indeed, it still is possible — to have an agreed running of d’Hondt. That is the only way —

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps you could clarify something. I thought that the person who had been nominated had to accept that nomination before we have speeches on the issue. The leader of the SDLP seems to have got ahead of herself a little bit.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I believe that Ms Ritchie is trying to make the nomination and say what she is going to say. I will then ask the Member whether he accepts.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

We believe that d’Hondt should have been the process for selecting and electing the Justice Minister. We said that at negotiations the other night, and we maintain that position. We believe that allocating Ministries to those who do not have the legitimate democratic entitlement simply serves to undermine democracy. It is a gross political distortion when two parties —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order. I am trying to be careful not to widen this debate. The Member should speak about the person who has been nominated, not about the process. We have debated the process and have now moved on to nominations. I remind the whole House of that.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I nominate Mr Maginness, a person who is eminently qualified for the job.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Maginness, do you accept the nomination?

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

I do.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The nomination is now open for debate, which I remind Members is about the nomination of the Member, not a wider debate. That debate has already happened in the Chamber, and it is over. The debate is now about the person who has been nominated by Ms Ritchie.

David McNarry (UUP, Strangford)

As the House appreciated my earlier remarks, in deference to you and to the House, I have no further comment to make.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Agnew is on the list as well. Does the Member wish to say anything?

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

I refer to my previous comments. I have nothing further to say.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Before we proceed to the Question, I again remind the House that the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires that the resolution must be passed by parallel consent.

Question put, That Mr Alban Maginness be the Minister of Justice.

The Assembly divided: Ayes 42; Noes 46.

AYES

Nationalist:

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr D Bradley and Mr W Clarke.

NOES

Unionist:

Other:

Mr Agnew, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr S Anderson and Mr G Robinson.

Total votes 88 Total Ayes 42 [47.7%] Nationalist Votes 42 Nationalist Ayes 42 [100.0%] Unionist Votes 37 Unionist Ayes 0 [0.0%] Other Votes 9 Other Ayes 0 [0.0%]

Question accordingly negatived.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Do I have a nomination of a Member to hold the office of Minister of Justice?

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I nominate Mr Danny Kinahan, and I will not make a long speech about him, Mr Speaker.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Kinahan, do you accept the nomination?

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I accept the nomination.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Elliott, do you want to say anything further?

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Clearly, Danny Kinahan has been a citizen of Northern Ireland. He knows how the Prison Service operates, and he has served in Her Majesty’s forces and the Ministry of Defence. I think that he would make an excellent Justice Minister. Depending on what level of justice you require, I am sure that Danny can come up with something for it. He is our nomination, and we support him.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

No other Member has asked to speak.

Question put, That Mr Danny Kinahan be the Minister of Justice.

The Assembly divided: Ayes 52; Noes 37.

AYES

Unionist:

Mr Allister, Mr S Anderson, Mr Beggs, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Copeland, Mr Craig, Mrs Dobson, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mr Elliott, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Gardiner, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mrs Lewis, Mr McCallister, Mr McCausland, Mr B McCrea, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McNarry, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Newton, Mrs Overend, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Swann, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Other:

Mr Agnew.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McCallister and Mr B McCrea.

NOES

Nationalist:

Ms M Anderson, Mr Boylan, Ms Boyle, Mr Brady, Mr W Clarke, Mr Doherty, Mr Flanagan, Ms Gildernew, Mr G Kelly, Mr Lynch, Mr A Maskey, Mr P Maskey, Mr F McCann, Ms J McCann, Mr McCartney, Mr McElduff, Mr M McGuinness, Mr McKay, Mr McLaughlin, Mr McMullan, Mr Molloy, Mr Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr Ó hOisín, Mr O’Dowd, Mrs O’Neill, Ms S Ramsey, Ms Ruane, Mr Sheehan.

Other:

Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMullan and Mr Molloy.

Total votes 89 Total Ayes 52 [58.4%] Nationalist Votes 29 Nationalist Ayes 0 [0.0%] Unionist Votes 51 Unionist Ayes 51 [100.0%] Other Votes 9 Other Ayes 1 [11.1%]

The following Members voted in both Lobbies and are therefore not counted in the result: Mr Attwood, Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Mrs D Kelly, Mr A Maginness, Mr McClarty, Mr McDevitt, Mr McGlone, Mrs McKevitt, Mr P Ramsey, Ms Ritchie.

Question accordingly negatived.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Do we have a nomination for a Member to hold the office of Minister of Justice?

Stephen Farry (Alliance, North Down)

It is my great honour and privilege to propose my party leader David Ford as Minister of Justice. At this stage, David Ford is the only person capable of achieving cross-community support in the Chamber according to the method of election of the Justice Minister as set out in legislation. Others parties have had the opportunity to make their nominations, and those nominations have fallen.

David Ford brings great attributes to the post of Justice Minister. Indeed, he is the outgoing Justice Minister and served with great distinction over the past year. The devolution of justice was a controversial issue this time a year ago. Today, the devolution of policing and justice is widely accepted across the community, and David Ford has established the confidence of all stakeholders and wider society in the performance of his functions.

David Ford has a strong track record of delivery over the past year, including an addendum to the Programme for Government in which he addressed most of the issues. He fulfilled all the requirements set out in the Hillsborough agreement of February 2010 and passed a long, comprehensive piece of justice legislation. He has established a clear sense of direction for the justice system in Northern Ireland in tackling difficult issues such as legal aid and prison reform. He secured additional resources for the police in order to combat the dissident threat, set out a programme for how we better manage offending and set out a strong, liberal direction in which we can take justice forward with the central objective of ensuring that we promote community safety and that the people of Northern Ireland are safe at home, on the streets and in their work places. He would make an excellent Justice Minister and can, once again, command the support of the House and the wider community.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Mr Ford has been nominated. Mr Ford, do you accept the nomination?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I accept nomination.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The nomination will now be open for debate.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Having appointed, on Thursday and today, something like 15 Ministers without debate and without a vote, I suppose that we should be grateful for the opportunity to debate this proposition, although we all see through and know the charade of the past hour. There were deliberate stalking horse candidates to bring us to this point, when the two blocs in the House will restore Mr Ford to his office. He always was a placeman of the DUP and Sinn Féin in the House, and it is because he has not disappointed them that he will be re-elected today.

Mr Ford has, of course, disappointed those who wished to see a firm hand on the tiller of justice. In many respects he has been the Minister of escapes. You, Mr Speaker, might think that you have an open-door policy, but it is nothing compared to Mr Ford’s. Mr Ford has lost more prisoners than I have lost elections. [Laughter.] Some might say that that takes some beating.

On the serious issue of dealing with the upsurge in IRA terrorism, I fear that, in Minister Ford, we have someone who does not really have a notion of how to face it.

The election of Mr Ford, which will inevitably happen today, also underscores something of the inequity of this House. His election, courtesy of those who elect him, will deliver an anti-unionist majority on the Executive. It also achieves the remarkable feat of setting mathematics on its head, as 16 equals one and eight equals two when it comes to the filling of Executive places. That, without elaboration, is a commentary on the gross inequity that lies at the heart of administration in this Province. And so, I will not be able to lend my support to the re-election of someone to the no-unionist-need-apply, gerrymandered post of Justice Minister.

Question put, That Mr David Ford be the Minister of Justice.

The Assembly divided: Ayes 73; Noes 28.

AYES

Nationalist:

Unionist:

Mr S Anderson, Mr Bell, Ms P Bradley, Mr Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Mr T Clarke, Mr Craig, Mr Douglas, Mr Dunne, Mr Easton, Mrs Foster, Mr Frew, Mr Girvan, Mr Givan, Mrs Hale, Mr Hamilton, Mr Hilditch, Mr Humphrey, Mrs Lewis, Mr McCausland, Mr I McCrea, Mr D McIlveen, Miss M McIlveen, Mr McQuillan, Lord Morrow, Mr Moutray, Mr Newton, Mr Poots, Mr G Robinson, Mr P Robinson, Mr Ross, Mr Spratt, Mr Storey, Mr Weir, Mr Wells, Mr Wilson.

Other:

Mrs Cochrane, Mr Dickson, Dr Farry, Mr Ford, Ms Lo, Mr Lunn, Mr Lyttle, Mr McCarthy.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Dickson and Ms Lo.

NOES

Nationalist:

Mr Attwood, Mr D Bradley, Mr Byrne, Mr Dallat, Mr Durkan, Mr Eastwood, Mrs D Kelly, Mr A Maginness, Mr McDevitt, Mr McGlone, Mrs McKevitt, Mr P Ramsey, Ms Ritchie.

Unionist:

Mr Allister, Mr Beggs, Mr Copeland, Mrs Dobson, Mr Elliott, Mr Gardiner, Mr Hussey, Mr Kennedy, Mr Kinahan, Mr McCallister, Mr B McCrea, Mr Nesbitt, Mrs Overend, Mr Swann.

Other:

Mr Agnew.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Allister and Mr Eastwood.

Total votes 101 Total Ayes 73 [72.3%]

Nationalist Votes 42 Nationalist Ayes 29 [69.0%]

Unionist Votes 50 Unionist Ayes 36 [72.0%]

Other Votes 9 Other Ayes 8 [88.9%]

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result: Mr McClarty.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Resolved (by parallel consent):

That Mr David Ford be the Minister of Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I now ask Mr Ford to affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr David Ford appointed Minister of Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I now confirm that Mr Ford, having affirmed the terms of the Pledge of Office, has taken up office as Minister of Justice, in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998. I offer him my congratulations.

As agreed by the Business Committee, I propose, by leave of the Assembly, to suspend the sitting until 2.30 pm.

The sitting was suspended at 1.30 pm.

On resuming —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

This is a business motion, so there will be no debate.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Orders 46 and 47, this Assembly determines that 12 Statutory Committees shall be established, as follows:

– the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development;

– the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure;

– the Committee for Education;

– the Committee for Employment and Learning;

– the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment;

– the Committee for the Environment;

– the Committee for Finance and Personnel;

– the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety;

– the Committee for Justice;

– the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister;

– the Committee for Regional Development;

– the Committee for Social Development.

Terms of reference, quorum and composition of the Committees shall be as prescribed in Standing Orders 48 and 49. — [Mr P Ramsey.]

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I shall ask the nominating officer or acting nominating officer of each political party, in the order required by the formula contained in Standing Order 48, to select an available Statutory Committee and to nominate a person who is a member of his or her party and a Member of the Assembly to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

I shall now call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson, as nominating officer of the party that has the highest figure under the formula, to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Paul Givan to be Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I am.

Mr Paul Givan appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I now call on Mr Martin McGuinness to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molaim Conor Murphy mar Chathaoirleach. I propose that Conor Murphy be Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Conor Murphy (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Glacaim leis an phost. I accept the post.

Mr Conor Murphy appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Mervyn Storey to be the Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I am willing to take up the position for which I have been nominated, Mr Speaker.

Mr Mervyn Storey appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Mr Elliott to select an available Statutory Committee and to nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and nominate myself to be Chairperson.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has nominated himself? [Laughter.]

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I should have done it all while I was up, Mr Speaker. I accept.

Mr Tom Elliott appointed Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on Mr Martin McGuinness to select an available Statutory Committee and to nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Michelle Gildernew mar Chathaoirleach. I propose that Michelle Gildernew be Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Glacaim leis an phost. I accept the position.

Ms Michelle Gildernew appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Ms Margaret Ritchie to select and nominate.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I propose that Alban Maginness chair the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I am.

Mr Alban Maginness appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Paul Frew to be the Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Paul Frew (DUP, North Antrim)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Paul Frew appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on Mr Martin McGuinness to select and nominate.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Alex Maskey mar Chathaoirleach. I propose that Alex Maskey be Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

Glacaim leis an phost. I accept the post, Mr Speaker.

Mr Alex Maskey appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Michelle McIlveen to be the Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I am.

Miss Michelle McIlveen appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call on Mr David Ford to select and nominate.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I nominate Anna Lo as Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I am.

Ms Anna Lo appointed Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on Mr Tom Elliott to select and nominate.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Committee for Employment and Learning and nominate Mr Basil McCrea to be Chairperson.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I announce the appointment of Basil McCrea as Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Is he going to take it?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take it?

Basil McCrea (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I am happy to, Mr Speaker. You anticipated correctly.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I apologise.

I call again on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Jimmy Spratt to be Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member who has been nominated willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I am.

Mr Jimmy Spratt appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Mr Martin McGuinness to select and nominate.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Raymond McCartney mar Chathaoirleach. I nominate Raymond McCartney to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Glacaim leis an phost. I am.

Mr Raymond McCartney appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I call again on Ms Margaret Ritchie to select and nominate.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I nominate Mrs Dolores Kelly as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

Yes, I am.

Mrs Dolores Kelly appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Simon Hamilton to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Simon Hamilton (DUP, Strangford)

I am.

Mr Simon Hamilton appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Mr Martin McGuinness to select and nominate.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Daithí McKay mar LeasChathaoirleach. I nominate Daithí McKay to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Glacaim leis an phost, a Cheann Comhairle. I accept.

Mr Daithí McKay appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Tom Buchanan to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I am.

Mr Thomas Buchanan appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Mr Tom Elliott to select and nominate.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Education and nominate Mr David McNarry.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

David McNarry (UUP, Strangford)

Yes, I am.

Mr David McNarry appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Mr Martin McGuinness to select and nominate.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Pat Doherty mar LeasChathaoirleach.. I nominate Pat Doherty to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Pat Doherty (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

I accept the appointment, a Cheann Comhairle.

Mr Pat Doherty appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

In his absence due to illness but with his consent, I nominate William Irwin to be Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I confirm that I have a letter from Mr William Irwin in which he accepts the position of Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Mr William Irwin appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on Ms Margaret Ritchie to select and nominate.

Margaret Ritchie (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I nominate Mr Dominic Bradley as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Glacaim leis an cheapachán, a Cheann Comhairle. I accept the appointment.

Mr Dominic Bradley appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call on the Rt Hon Peter Robinson to select and nominate.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I nominate Jim Wells to be Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

Yes.

Mr Jim Wells appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call Mr Martin McGuinness to select a nominee.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Molaim Mickey Brady mar LeasChathaoirleach. I nominate Mickey Brady to be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Glacaim leis an phost, a Cheann Comhairle. I accept.

Mr Mickey Brady appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Once again, I call Mr David Ford to select a nominee.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I nominate Chris Lyttle as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member who has been nominated willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

Yes, Mr Speaker, I accept.

Mr Chris Lyttle appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I thank Members for their patience. That concludes the appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Statutory Committees. I congratulate them and wish them well in their jobs.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The next item of business on the Order Paper is the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Standing Committees. I am required to supervise the appointment of a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to each Standing Committee, other than the Business Committee, in accordance with the procedure set out in Standing Order 51. I shall ask the nominating officer or acting nominating officer of each political party, in the order required by the formula contained in Standing Order 51(2), to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly to be Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of it. If that is clear, we shall proceed.

I shall now call on Rt Hon Peter Robinson, as nominating officer of the party which has the highest figure under the formula laid down in Standing Orders, to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly to be Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of it.

Peter Robinson (DUP, Belfast East)

I select the Assembly and Executive Review Committee and nominate Stephen Moutray as Chairperson.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?