Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 12.40 pm

1. Introduction

1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from the junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, and Mr P Maskey.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2008

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2008 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 24 November

Executive Committee Business

4.1 Members agreed to schedule an accelerated passage motion for the Pensions (No. 2) Bill, to be moved on Tuesday 25 November, followed by the Second Stage of the Bill.

Committee Business

4.2 Members agreed to reschedule the Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, on ‘Hospital Car Parking Charges’, from Tuesday 25 November to Tuesday 2 December.

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 1 December

Executive Business – week commencing 1 December 2008

5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 1 December, m embers agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Pensions (No. 2) Bill for Tuesday 2 December.

Private Members’ Business

• The Speaker reminded members that this would be the first week, of the 3-month trial, using the new system for allocating private Members’ business. Due to the expectation that the Executive would meet on Thursday 20 November, and with the possibility of additional Executive business to flow from this, members agreed to schedule only one private Members’ motion on Monday 1 December and one private Members’ motion on Tuesday 2 December. Under the new system of allocating private Members’ business, the DUP and Sinn F é in proposed the following motions to fill the two available slots:
• ‘Health Service Vacancies’ (A Easton, I Robinson, T Buchanan)
• ‘Occupational Therapy Services’ (P Maskey, F McCann, J McCann, S Ramsey)

5.3 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Health Service Vacancies’ (A Easton, I Robinson, T Buchanan) for Monday 1 December; and the motion on ‘Occupational Therapy Services’ (P Maskey, F McCann, J McCann, S Ramsey) for Tuesday 2 December. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.

5.4 Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Monday 1 December. Members proposed a total of three adjournment topics as follows:

• ‘Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield’ (T Lunn)
• ‘Primary School Education in East Belfast’ (R Newton)
• ‘The Redeployment of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs from Derry/Londonderry’ (M Bradley)

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

• Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield: 9 votes
• Primary School Education in East Belfast: 53 votes
• The Redeployment of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs from Derry/Londonderry: 16 votes

5.6 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Primary School Education in East Belfast’ (R Newton) for Monday 1 December.

6. Draft Question Time Rota from January to Easter Recess 2009

6.1 Members agreed the draft Question Time rota from January 2009 up to Easter recess 2009.

7. Any Other Business

7.1 Mr P McGlone, referring to the new system for allocating private Member’s business, asked if it would be more appropriate for Alliance to be known as the United Community Group. It was agreed that this would be changed on the relevant paper work.

7.2 The Speaker advised members, that following his discussions with Whips, he would be postponing the introduction of Members rising in their places to catch the Speaker’s attention when asking supplementaries until the first Question Time after the Christmas recess (Monday 12 January 2009). The Speaker also advised members that he expects the obvious reading out of supplementaries to stop, with effect from Monday 24 November.

7.3 Mr K McCarthy raised an issue regarding the potential influx of Executive business coming from the anticipated Executive meeting on Thursday 20 November. Mr McCarthy proposed a number of options for disposing of this business in the remaining weeks before Christmas recess. After general discussion, it was agreed to consider the issue further as soon as a clearer picture emerges of the volume of likely Executive business.

8. Date and Time of next meeting

8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 25 November 2008 in Room 106.

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

William Hay
The Speaker