Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 12.35 pm

1. Introduction

1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from the two junior Ministers, Rt Hon J Donaldson and Mr G Kelly. The Speaker welcomed Mr John O’Dowd, Mr Thomas Burns and Mr Trevor Lunn to the meeting in place of Mr Paul Maskey, Mr PJ Bradley and Mr Kieran McCarthy respectively.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2008

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 16 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 individual meetings with Whips, to discuss the proposals, were in the process of being organised.

3.2 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 3.2 of the minutes (Question Time paper) and informed members that all responses have now been provided and that these will form part of his discussions with Whips.

4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 29 September

Committee Business – week commencing 29 September 2008

4.1 Members agreed to schedule three business motions, two relating to Standing Committee membership changes and one relating to Statutory Committee membership changes, for Monday 29 September.

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 6 October

Executive Business – week commencing 6 October 2008

5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 6 October, m embers agreed to schedule a motion to approve a Statutory Rule (Draft Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (NI) 2008). 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 Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, relating to the Extension of Committee Stage: Diseases of Animals Bill, for Monday 6 October.

Private Members’ Business

5.3 Lord Morrow raised concerns regarding the lack of Executive business coming before the Assembly, particularly on Tuesday 7 October, and asked was there a need for a Plenary sitting on that date. Mr J O’Dowd expressed the view that private members’ business should still be scheduled for Tuesday 7 October as Executive business may increase in the coming weeks. Mr P McGlone expressed sympathy with Lord Morrow’s view, but stated that members should continue to schedule private members’ business, for another few weeks, before considering the matter further.

5.4 Members therefore agreed to schedule: two private Members’ motions on Monday 6 October and three private Members’ motions on Tuesday 7 October. Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Monday 7 October. Members proposed a total of five motions as follows:

• ‘Regional Investment Inequalities’ (M Anderson, R McCartney, J McCann, C N í Chuil í n)
• ‘Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration’ (D Kelly, A Maginness, C Hanna)
• ‘Comber Greenway’ (D Purvis, N Long)
• ‘Cuts in Ambulance Services’ (K McCarthy, A Lo)
• ‘Opportunities for Special Needs School Leavers’ ( W McCrea, D Simpson)

5.5 Mr P McGlone raised concerns regarding the ‘Comber Greenway’ motion and felt that the issue should have been tabled as an adjournment topic. After discussion, it was agreed that advice on motions and adjournment topics should be brought back to the Committee.

5.6 Lord Morrow asked whether some consideration could also be given to the issue of motions of a similar nature. It was agreed that the Business Office should undertake research on this issue.

5.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration’ (D Kelly, A Maginness, C Hanna) and ‘Comber Greenway’ (D Purvis, N Long) for Monday 6 October and the motions on ‘Cuts in Ambulance Services’ (K McCarthy, A Lo), ‘Opportunities for Special Needs School Leavers’ (W McCrea, D Simpson) and ‘Regional Investment Inequalities’ (M Anderson, R McCartney, J McCann, C N í Chuil í n) for Tuesday 7 October. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.

5.8 Members proposed a total of two adjournment topics as follows:

• ‘Primary School Education in South Belfast’ (A McDonnell)
• ‘Ongoing Problems with Quads, Scramblers and Motorised Scooters in the Colin Area, Belfast’ (P Butler)

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

• Primary School Education in South Belfast: 78 votes
• Ongoing Problems with Quads, Scramblers and Motorised Scooters in the Colin Area, Belfast: 27 votes

5.10 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Primary School Education in South Belfast’ (A McDonnell) for Monday 6 October.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Ms C Ní Chuilín raised an issue regarding a Private Notice Question tabled by Ms J McCann on Monday 15 September. The Speaker undertook to discuss the issue after the meeting had concluded.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 30 September 2008 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.05 pm.

William Hay
The Speaker