Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2007/2008
Date: 17 June 2008
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 1.10 pm
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from the junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson and from Ms C N í Chuil ín.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 June were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 6.2 of the minutes (scrutiny of Green and White papers on social security legislation proposals) and advised them that is the intention of the Committee for Social Development to take evidence at the earliest opportunity on Green and White papers and that the Committee believe that this will be the most practical and effective way to influence policy at an early stage on parity matters.
3.2 The Speaker clarified the position on a number of matters associated with the visit of the President of the United States on 16 June.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 23 June
Executive Business – week commencing 23 June 2008
4.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Papers for Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 June. Members were content that a Ministerial Statement from the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on the NSMC Health and Food Safety Sectoral meeting would be scheduled for Tuesday 24 June.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 30 June
5.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Papers for Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 30 June
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Monday 30 June, members were content to schedule two Ministerial Statements from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development – one on the NSMC Trade and Business Development Sectoral meeting and one on the NSMC Tourism Sectoral meeting. Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Public Authorities (Reform) Bill and the Final Stage of the Charities Bill for Monday 30 June.
5.3 Members further agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Civil Registration Bill for Tuesday 1 July.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on Rising Energy Costs, for Monday 30 June. Members agreed that up to 2 hours should be allocated for this debate. Members further agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by Mr A Maginness, on behalf of the Assembly Commission, on Authority to Amend the Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme (NI) 2000, for Monday 30 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour should be allocated for this debate.
5.5 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Education, on Primary School Funding, for Tuesday 1 July. Members agreed that up to 2 hours 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate. Members further agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, on the Report of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use, for Tuesday 1 July. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule a number of motions, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, to amend Standing Orders, for Tuesday 1 July. Members anticipated that this would take no longer than 1 hour.
Private Members’ business
5.7 Members agreed to schedule no Private Members’ business for Monday 30 June or Tuesday 1 July.
5.8 Mr D McNarry acknowledged and welcomed the increased volume of business that was being brought before the Assembly by both the Executive and certain committees. It was considered that all committees should be encouraged to bring forward plenary business.
6. Committee on Standards and Privileges – Review of Assembly’s “Code of conduct together with the Guide to the rules relating to the conduct of Members”
6.1 The Speaker referred members to the Committee on Standards and Privileges paper relating to the review of Assembly’s “Code of conduct together with the Guide to the rules relating to the conduct of Members”. Members noted the contents of the paper and agreed its recommendations.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 The Speaker reminded members that outstanding party proposal papers, relating to Question Time, should be with him by Friday 20 June.
7.2 The Speaker advised members that he would be writing to all Members informing them that in future all ‘matters of the day’ should go through the Whip in each party.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 24 June in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.30 pm.
