Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2007/2008
Date: 06 May 2008
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 1.05 pm
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted an apology from the junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson.
2. Mi nutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 29 April were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 12 May 2008
Executive Business – week commencing 12 May 2008
4.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Papers for Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 May. The Speaker informed members that one additional item of Executive business had been notified for Monday 12 May. Members agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill, from the Minister of the Environment, for Monday 12 May.
Committee Business – week commencing 12 May 2008
4.2 The Speaker informed members that the Committee motion, on the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm, scheduled for Tuesday 13 May would have to be rescheduled until the following week as the Committee Chairperson was not available. Members therefore agreed to reschedule the Committee motion for Monday 19 May.
Private Members’ Business – week commencing 12 May 2008
4.3 As the Committee motion, on the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm, was rescheduled for the following week, members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions for Tuesday 13 May. Members proposed a total of four motions:
- ‘St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday’ (K McCarthy)
- ‘Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus’ (P Ramsey, M Durkan, M Bradley)
- ‘Sustainable Energy’ (J McCann, P Maskey)
- ‘Irish-Medium Schools in Dungannon/South Tyrone’ ( Lord Morrow, A Foster)
4.4 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday: 9 votes
- Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus: 43 votes
- Sustainable Energy: 61 votes
- Irish-Medium Schools in Dungannon/South Tyrone: 53 votes
4.5 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Sustainable Energy’ (J McCann, P Maskey) and the motion on ‘Irish-Medium Schools in Dungannon/South Tyrone’ ( Lord Morrow, A Foster) for Tuesday 13 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 May
5.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Papers for Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 19 May
5.2 In addition to Question Time, members agreed that the Further Consideration Stage of the Libraries Bill would be scheduled for Monday 19 May. Members further agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Mesothelioma etc. Bill and the Second Stage of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill for debate on Tuesday 20 May.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to reschedule the Committee motion, on the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, for debate on Monday 19 May. Members further agreed to schedule two business motions relating to Statutory and Standing Committee Membership changes, for Tuesday 20 May.
Private Members’ business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions and one adjournment topic on Tuesday 20 May. Members proposed a total of four motions:
- ‘Re-Classification of Cannabis’ (A Ross, I Robinson)
- ‘Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus’ (P Ramsey, M Durkan, M Bradley)
- ‘Extended Schools Funding’ (B McCrea, K Robinson, R Beggs, T Elliott, D Kennedy)
- ‘St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday’ (K McCarthy)
5.5 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Re-Classification of Cannabis: 53 votes
- Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus: 43 votes
- Extended Schools Funding: 53 votes
- St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday: 9 votes
5.6 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Re-Classification of Cannabis’ (A Ross, I Robinson) and the motion on ‘Extended Schools Funding’ (B McCrea, K Robinson, R Beggs, T Elliott, D Kennedy) for Tuesday 20 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.
5.7 Members proposed two adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen’ (T Gallagher)
- ‘Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne’ ( S Neeson)
5.8 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen: 96 votes
- Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne: 9 votes
5.9 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen’ (T Gallagher) for Tuesday 20 May.
6. Assembly Questions paper
6.1 Mr K Shiels briefed members on the paper, which proposed a number of options for changes to procedures for Assembly Questions. Members agreed to the proposal that Assembly Questions could be submitted by email with effect from week commencing 12 May. A general discussion took place in relation to the other proposals, although some concerns were expressed about the proposals for selecting questions for oral answer. It was, however, agreed that those matters proposed in the paper for referral to the Committee on Procedures should be referred accordingly. The issue of supplementaries during Question Time was also suggested as an area for consideration as part of any general review of Assembly Questions.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 The Speaker sought agreement from the Committee that there would only be one Plenary sitting in the week commencing 26 May, as Monday 26 May would be a Bank Holiday. Members were content and agreed that the Assembly would only sit in Plenary session on Tuesday 27 May.
7.2 The Speaker informed members that he would not be able to Chair the next meeting of the Business Committee, as he would be visiting the Canadian Parliament with the Assembly Commission. Ms Car ál Ní Chuilín would therefore Chair the meeting in his absence.
7.3 The Speaker informed members that the President of the European Parliament would address Members in the Assembly chamber on Tuesday 10 June and that this would require the Assembly to suspend at 12 noon. Some concerns were raised by members in relation to the matter, but it was noted that the decision had been taken by the Assembly Commission.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 13 May in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.50 pm.
