Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 12.40 pm

1. Introduction

1.1 The Speaker noted an apology from Lord Morrow.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2008

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 3 June were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting on Tuesday 17 June

Executive Business – week commencing 16 June 2008

4.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Paper for Tuesday 17 June. Members were informedthat a Ministerial Statement from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on the NSMC Trade and Business Development Sectoral meeting w ould be rescheduled to another date.

Committee Business – week commencing 16 June 2008

4.2 Members agreed to schedule a business motion, relating to a Statutory Committee membership change, for Tuesday 17 June.

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 23 June

5.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Papers for Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.

Executive Business – week commencing 23 June

5.2 In addition to Question Time on Monday 23 June, members were informed that the proposed Ministerial Statement, from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on the NSMC Tourism Sectoral meeting, may be changed to another date. Members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill and the Further Consideration Stage of the Child Maintenance Bill for Monday 23 June.

5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion to approve the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (NI) 2008, and a motion to approve the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008, for Monday 23 June.

5.4 Members were content to schedule two Ministerial Statements for Tuesday 24 June. One from the Minister of Education, on the NSMC Education Sectoral meeting, and one from the Minister of Finance and Personnel, on the June Monitoring Outcome.

5.5 Members further agreed to schedule the Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill and the Final Stage of the Child Maintenance Bill for Tuesday 24 June.

Committee Business

5.6 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning, on Stranmillis and St. Mary’s University Colleges, for Monday 23 June. Members further agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, on Public Inquiry into the Maureen McGinley Case, for Tuesday 24 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.

Private Members’ business

5.7 Members agreed to schedule one private Members’ motion for Monday 23 June and one private Members’ motion and one adjournment topic for Tuesday 24 June. Members proposed a total of five motions:

• ‘Cost of Living Executive Sub-Committee’ (M McLaughlin, J McCann, J O’Dowd, C McGill, P Maskey)
• ‘ Irish Medium Primary School’ (M McIlveen, M Storey, N McCausland)
• ‘Town Centres and PPS 5’ (L Cree, A McFarland, R Beggs)
• ‘Sustainable Schools Policy’ (D Bradley)
• ‘Free and Fair Elections in Zimbabwe’ (D Ford, N Long, S Farry, S Neeson, K McCarthy, A Lo, T Lunn)

5.8 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:

• Cost of Living Executive Sub-Committee: 36 votes
• Irish Medium Primary School : 53 votes
• Town Centres and PPS 5: 34 votes
• Sustainable Schools Policy: 34 votes
• Free and Fair Elections in Zimbabwe: 44 votes

5.9 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Free and Fair Elections in Zimbabwe’ (D Ford, N Long, S Farry, S Neeson, K McCarthy, A Lo, T Lunn) for Monday 23 June and the motion ’Irish Medium Primary School’ (M McIlveen, M Storey, N McCausland) for Tuesday 24 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.

5.10 Members proposed four adjournment topics as follows:

• ‘Neighbourhood Renewal in North Belfast’ (C N í Chuil í n)
• ‘Funding for School Age Childcare Services in Lurgan’ (G Savage)
• ‘Accidents Black Spot on Culmore and Ardan Roads in Derry/Londonderry’ (M Bradley)
• ‘Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne ( S Neeson)

5.11 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:

• Neighbourhood Renewal in North Belfast: 27 votes
• Funding for School Age Childcare Services in Lurgan: 53 votes
• Accidents Black Spot on Culmore and Ardan Roads in Derry/Londonderry: 16 votes
• Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne: 9 votes

5.12 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Funding for School Age Childcare Services in Lurgan’ (G Savage) for Tuesday 24 June.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 The Interim Clerk/Director General provided members with an update on the US Presidential visit on Monday 16 June. Mr D McNarry expressed concern that Members would not be able to meet the President and asked for this issue to be drawn to the attention of those involved in the organisation of the visit. Mr K McCarthy raised concerns on behalf of his Party that Assembly business had not been possible on Monday 16 June. The Speaker reminded members that it was unanimously agreed at a previous meeting that there would be no Plenary on that date.

6.2 Ms C N í Chuil í n raised an issue relating to the Accelerated passage motion for the Child Maintenance Bill and asked that the Speaker clarify the situation regarding green and white papers referred to by the Minister. The Speaker undertook to investigate the matter.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 17 June in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1 pm.

William Hay
The Speaker