Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2009/2010
Date: 22 June 2010
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, Mr Paul Maskey, and the Lord Morrow.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June were agreed and 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 28 June 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that a motion to Suspend Standing Orders has been tabled by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Monday 28 June, to allow business to go past 7pm if required.
4.2 Members noted that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment will deliver a statement to the Assembly on Monday 28 June on a North-South Ministerial Council meeting held in Tourism Sectoral format.
4.3 Members noted that a motion from the First Minister and deputy First Minister is scheduled for debate on Monday 28 June on the Programme for Government Delivery Reports. Members agreed to schedule the debate after 2pm, following a request from the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Members also agreed to allocate two hours for the debate, with 15 minutes each to propose and wind, and 7 minutes for all other speakers.
4.4 Members noted that the following statements were expected on Tuesday 29 June:
- Outcome of June Monitoring (Finance and Personnel);
- The rescheduling of The Capital Review statement (Education); and
- North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Health Sectoral format (HSSPS).
- Given that the Business Committee is not meeting on Tuesday 29 June, members agreed that business should continue right through and that there should be no break for lunch on that day.
- Members noted the Second Stage of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill was now confirmed for debate on Wednesday 30 June.
Commission Business
4.7 Members noted that all the Assembly Commission business scheduled for Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 June has been withdrawn.
Committee Business
4.8 Members agreed to schedule two DUP motions to change Committee
Memberships.
Private Members’ Business
4.9 Members agreed to schedule the following two Public Petitions on Monday 28 June:
- Out of Hours GP service in Limavady (G Robinson); and
- Removal of funding for summer schemes for children with learning disabilities (T Gallagher).
4.10 Members agreed to schedule the introduction of two Private Members’ Bills. Mr McNarry’s Armed Forces and Veterans Bill was scheduled for introduction on Monday 28 June, and Mr Weir’s Victims and Survivors (Disqualification) Bill was scheduled for Wednesday 30 June.
4.11 Having deferred their selection at last week’s Business Committee, the DUP selected the following motion for debate on Monday 28 June:
- ‘Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorders Network Group’ (T Buchanan, A Easton, J Craig, I McCrea).
The DUP were aware that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable to respond, but wished to proceed nevertheless. Members agreed to schedule the motion on Monday 28 June.
4.12 Having deferred their choice of the adjournment debate last week, the SDLP proposed the following topic:
- ‘Murder of the Reavey Family in Whitecross, Co. Armagh on 4 January 1976’ (D Bradley).
Members agreed to schedule the topic on Wednesday 30 June.
5. Draft Question Time Rota from September to Christmas Recess
5.1 Subject to the motions to amend Standing Orders being agreed on Tuesday 29 June in respect of an additional Question Time slot on Tuesdays, members agreed the draft Question Time Rota from September to Christmas recess.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 Members were advised that Whips and independent Members would be issued with a weekly report on the progress of Bills and the deadlines for tabling amendments, to keep them updated on the volume of legislation currently going through the Assembly.
6.2 The Speaker raised a number of issues, including -
- The importance of the presence of Whips in the Chamber at all times;
- The responsibility of Ministers for ensuring that party colleagues are present for votes on Bills and are clear about how to vote; and
- The requirement for Members to observe the conventions for attendance during debates if they wish to be called.
The Speaker also advised that he would no longer allow the clerks to undertake duties in relation to securing a quorum, which should properly lie with the Whips. In future, the division bells would simply be rung if a quorum was required. The Speaker expressed his grave concern about these issues and sought the co-operation of Whips.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at 12.30pm on Tuesday 7 September 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.46pm.
