Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 31 March 2009
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
1. Introduction
Ms C N í Chuil í n advised members that she had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence and noted apologies from the two junior Ministers, Rt Hon J Donaldson and Mr G Kelly. Ms C N í Chuil í n welcomed Mr T Lunn to the meeting in place of Mr K McCarthy.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2009 were agreed and were signed by the Acting Chairperson.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 20 April
Executive Committee Business
4.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 20 April, members noted that the Minister for Social Development wished to make a Statement on the Social Security Agency Strategic Business Review. The likelihood of other Statements was noted.
Committee Business
4.2 There was no Committee business.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions on Monday 20 April and two private Members’ motions on Tuesday 21 April. Under the system of allocating private Members’ business, the SDLP, UUP. DUP and Sinn F é in had one slot each. The following motions were proposed to fill the four available slots:
- ‘Barosso Report’ (A Maginness, D Kelly) *
- ‘Social Housing’ (F Cobain, B Armstrong)
- ‘Loss of Nursing Posts’ (I Robinson, A Easton, T Buchanan)
- ‘Childcare Strategy’ (J McCann, S Ramsey, M Anderson)
*Members were informed that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister had indicated they would be making a Statement in relation to the Barosso Report on Tuesday 21 April. Mr P Ramsey therefore agreed to choose a new motion, after consultation with his Party, and undertook to inform the Business Office of the motion to be included on the Order Paper as soon as possible. The Committee agreed to this approach. N.B The SDLP subsequently selected the motion on ‘Educational Underachievement’ (Dr A McDonnell).
4.4 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Childcare Strategy’ (J McCann, S Ramsey, M Anderson) and ‘Loss of Nursing Posts’ (I Robinson, A Easton, T Buchanan) for Monday 20 April, and the SDLP motion, when advised, (see paragraph 4.3), and the motion on ‘Social Housing’ (F Cobain, B Armstrong) for Tuesday 21 April. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.5 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic for Tuesday 21 April. One adjournment topic was proposed by Mr P Maskey entitled ‘Dunclug Action Plan’. Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Dunclug Action Plan’ (D McKay) for Tuesday 21 April.
4.6 It was agreed that business for the week beginning 27 April would be considered at the meeting on 21 April, and that normal two-week scheduling would recommence at that meeting.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 There was no other business.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 21 April 2009 in Room 106.
The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.50 pm.
