Northern Ireland Bill — Participation in NSMC and BIC — 27 Jul 1998

Considered in Committee [Progress, 24 July].

I beg to move amendment No. 175, in page 25, line 26, after 'Commission', insert

'with membership from Northern Ireland reflecting the community balance.'.

I am sure that, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints the commissioners, she will be bearing in mind exactly the type of talks and discussions that we had in the negotiations leading to the Belfast agreement. I am sure that, in so doing, she will be able to reflect the community balance. I am sure, too, that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of that.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 54 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Question proposed, That this schedule, as amended, be the Eighth schedule to the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Schedule 8, as amended, agreed to.

I beg to move amendment No. 43, in page 26, leave out lines 2 to 6 and insert--

'(3) The Assembly shall refer all proposed Measures to the Commission in draft and the Commission may advise the Assembly whether a proposed Measure is compatible with human rights, as the Commission thinks appropriate.

(4) The Assembly shall receive any such advice, and take it into account when considering the proposed Measure.'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .

Amendments made: No. 189, in page 26, line 17, at end insert--

Clause 55, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill .

I beg to move amendment No. 45, in page 26, line 29, at end insert

' ; or

(c) which an individual has commenced, or wishes to commence, under section 62 or 63 of this Act; or

(d) which an individual has commenced, or wishes to commence, by way of judicial review which raises relevant issues within the general remit of the Commission.'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .

I beg to move amendment No. 46, in page 27, line 4, at end add--

'(5) The Commission may, with the permission of the court, submit its opinion as amicus curiae on the substance of the proceedings before the court, irrespective of whether the Commission is either a party to the proceedings, or has granted assistance in relation to proceedings under subsection (2).'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .

Clause 56 ordered to stand part of the Bill .

Clause 57 ordered to stand part of the Bill .

Question proposed , That the clause stand part of the Bill.

7.30 pm

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 58 ordered to stand part of the Bill .

I beg to move amendment No. 156, in page 27, line 33, at end insert--

'(1A) The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland shall give equal weight and equal consideration to all forms of discrimination that people or groups of people may face.'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn .

Amendment made: No. 170, in page 27, leave out from beginning of line 40 to 'representative' in line 41 and insert

Clause 59, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill .

Amendment made: No. 205, in page 49, line 17, at end insert--

Schedule 9, as amended, agreed to .

Amendments made: No. 202, in page 28, leave out lines 10 and 11 and insert--

'(d) the Northern Ireland Disability Council.'.

No. 203, in page 28, line 11, at end insert--

'(3A) In exercising their functions the Equality Commission shall--

(a) aim to secure an appropriate division of resources between the functions previously exercisable by each of the bodies listed in subsection (2); and

(b) have regard to advice offered by a consultative council.

(3B) In subsection (3A) "consultative council" means a group of persons selected by the Commission to advise in relation to the functions previously exercisable by one of the bodies listed in subsection (2) or in relation to the Commission's functions under Schedule 10.'.

No. 204, in page 28, line 14, leave out 'to (3)' and insert 'and (2)'.-- [Mr. Paul Murphy.]

Clause 60, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

I beg to move amendment No. 199, in page 28, line 20, leave out from 'opportunity' to end of line 2 on page 29 and insert

'in relation to religious belief, political opinion, race, gender, disability, language, age, marital status, dependants and sexual orientation.'.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection 2, within three years of the coming into effect of this Act, and once every five years thereafter, it shall be the duty of every public authority to review the extent to which its various functions and responsibilities are carried out with due regard to the need to comply with the duties set out in section 61.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment made: No. 193, in page 28, line 26, after '(2)', insert

I beg to move amendment No. 157, in page 28, line 36, at end insert--

"(f) Any other body which would be included within the definition of a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 61, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill .

Amendments made: No. 206, in page 50, line 40, at end insert--

Schedule 10, as amended, agreed to.

I beg to move amendment No. 51, in page 29, line 4, after 'discriminate', insert 'directly or indirectly'.

The First Deputy Chairman:

With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments: No. 158, in page 29, line 5, leave out from 'discriminate' to end of line 6 and insert

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause 62 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 63 and 64 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

I beg to move amendment No. 95, in page 31, line 23, at end add--

'(6) The membership of the Forum shall be determined by the Assembly voting on a cross-community basis in accordance with section 4(5).'.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn ,

Clause 65 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

I beg to move amendment No. 194, in page 31, line 33, after '(a)', insert 'meeting and'.

The Chairman of Ways and Means (Sir Alan Haselhurst):

With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment No. 133, in page 31, line 35, at end add

It may not be necessary for the Assembly to endorse every detail of all routine arrangements between Ministers and Dublin, but it is vital that the Assembly should have the opportunity to veto agreements made in relation to new implementation bodies for the simple reason that the agreement says that it should. However, the Bill does not say so explicitly at present.

It being six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill, The Chairman, pursuant to the Order [17 July], put forthwith the Question already proposed from the Chair.

Amendment negatived.

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill:--

The Committee divided: Ayes 135, Noes 3.

Historical Hansard | Online Hansard |