Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 16 September 2008
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 12.55 pm
1. Introduction
The Speaker noted an apology from the junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 3.1 of the minutes (alternative method of selecting private Members’ motions) and informed members that new proposals will be circulated to Whips in the near future for discussion.
3.2 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 3.2 of the minutes (Question Time paper) and reminded members that any outstanding party proposal papers should be with him as soon as possible. The DUP response was submitted by Lord Morrow.
3.3 The Clerk/Director-General provided members with an update on the arrangements for the visit of the Prime Minister to Parliament Buildings later in the day.
3.4 The Speaker sought confirmation from the DUP and Alliance Whips that they were content not to move their motions originally selected for debate later in the day and informed members that the two motions would be rescheduled for debate in the week commencing 22 September 2008.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 September
Committee Business – week commencing 22 September 2008
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee for Tuesday 23 September. It was agreed that the motion should be dealt with as if it were an Assembly Business motion, and that there would therefore be no debate.
Private Members’ Business
4.2 Members agreed to reschedule the motion on ‘Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder’ (G Robinson, T Buchanan) for Monday 22 September and the motion on ‘Integrated Schools’ ( S Farry, T Lunn) for Tuesday 23 September.
4.3 Ms Ní Chuilín informed members that she wanted to withdraw the motion scheduled for Tuesday 23 September on ‘Strategy for Promoting Safety in Local Communities’. After discussion, members agreed that Ms Ní Chuilín could propose a new motion to fill the vacant slot. Ms Ní Chuilín proposed, and members agreed to schedule, the motion on ‘20mph Speed Limit Near Schools’ for Tuesday 23 September.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 29 September
Executive Business – week commencing 29 September 2008
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 29 September, m embers agreed to schedule a motion to affirm a Statutory Rule (Pneumoconiosis, Etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2008) for Tuesday 30 September. Members allocated no specific time limit to this debate.
Committee Business
5.2 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, for debate on Tuesday 30 September. Members allocated up to 2 hours for this debate and agreed that the Chairperson would have up to 15 minutes to move the motion.
Private Members’ Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule: two private Members’ motions on Monday 29 September and two private Members’ motions on Tuesday 30 September. Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 30 September. Members proposed a total of four motions as follows:
- ‘Increase in Energy Prices’ (D McNarry, F Cobain, D Kennedy)
- ‘Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration’ (D Kelly, A Maginness, C Hanna)
- ‘Dental Care’ (Lord Browne, R Newton)
- ‘Environmental Improvement Schemes in the Markets Area, Belfast’ (A Maskey, C Ní Chuilín)
- ‘Adequate Home Help Provision’ (K McCarthy, A Lo)
5.4 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Increase in Energy Prices: 105 votes
- Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration: 16 votes
- Dental Care: 62 votes
- Environmental Improvement Schemes in the
Markets Area, Belfast: 27 votes
- Adequate Home Help Provision: 89 votes
5.5 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Increase in Energy Prices’ (D McNarry, F Cobain, D Kennedy) and ‘Adequate Home Help Provision’ (K McCarthy, A Lo) for Monday 29 September and the motions on ‘Dental Care’ (Lord Browne, R Newton) and ‘Environmental Improvement Schemes in the Markets Area, Belfast’ (A Maskey, C Ní Chuilín) for Tuesday 30 September. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members proposed a total of four adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘The future of Ballycastle Health Centre’ (I Paisley Jnr)
- ‘Primary School education in South Belfast’ (A McDonnell)
- ‘Conversion of the Comber Greenway into a bus route’ (D Purvis)
- ‘Job Losses in Foyle due to the decision to award the New Deal Contract to A4e’ (R McCartney)
5.7 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- The future of Ballycastle Health Centre: 53 votes
- Primary School education in South Belfast: 25 votes
- Conversion of the Comber Greenway into a bus route: 18 votes
- Job Losses in Foyle due to the decision to award the New
Deal Contract to A4e: 27 votes
5.8 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘The future of Ballycastle Health Centre’ (I Paisley Jnr) for Tuesday 30 September.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development seeking approval to change her Question Time slot, with the Minister for Regional Development, from Monday 13 October to Monday 6 October. Members agreed to the request and noted the revised Question Time rota.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 23 September 2008 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.30 pm.
