Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2009/2010

Date: 25 May 2010

Venue: Room 106

The meeting began at 12.32 pm

1. Introduction and Apologies

1.1 The Speaker welcomed Mr Thomas Burns to his first meeting as a full member of the Committee. Apologies were noted from Junior Minister Kelly.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2010

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 18 May were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting on 1 June 2010

Executive Business

4.1 Members noted that the Draft Census Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 had been scheduled for Tuesday 1 June.

4.2 Junior Minister Newton advised that there was no additional Executive Business expected.

5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 7 June 2010

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business had been scheduled for

Monday 7 June:

Second Stage - Commissioner for Older People Bill;
Second Stage - Dogs (Amendment) Bill;
Further Consideration Stage - Employment Bill; and
Question Time to OFMDFM and the Minister for Employment and Learning.

5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business had been scheduled for

Tuesday 8 June:

Second Stage - Student Loans (Amendment) Bill;
Motion to affirm the River Bann Navigation Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
Motion to affirm the Donaghadee Harbour Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
Question Time to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Committee Business

5.3 Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Committee for the Environment to extend the Committee Stage of the High Hedges Bill on Monday 7 June.

5.4 Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Committee for Employment and Learning on ‘Programme-Led Apprenticeships Scheme ’ on Tuesday 8 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.

5.5 Junior Minister Newton confirmed that the Minister for Employment and Learning was available to respond to the motion on ‘Programme-Led Apprenticeships Scheme’.

Private Members’ Business

5.6 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ motion on Monday 7 June but none on Tuesday 8 June.

Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.

The following motion was proposed:

‘Fuel Prices’ (J McCann, M McLaughlin, M Anderson).

5.7 Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Fuel Prices’ on Monday 7 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.

5.8 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 8 June. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the Alliance Party.

The following topic was proposed:

‘Upgrade of A2 from Jordanstown to Trooperslane’ ( S Neeson).

5.9 Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘Upgrade of A2 from Jordanstown to Trooperslane’ ( S Neeson) on Tuesday 8 June.

6. Proposed Changes to Standing Orders 10 and 20

6.1 The Speaker referred Members to the Advice Paper in their pack outlining the proposed changes to Standing Orders 10 and 20.

6.2 Members noted that the proposed changes to Question Time include a two minute time limit on Ministers’ answers to the lead question and one minute on each supplementary, and a second Question Time slot on Tuesday, effective from September.

6.3 Members noted that the purpose of the proposal to extend Monday sittings was to provide a way to avoid the loss of business at 7pm on a Monday where a motion to amend Standing Orders has not been scheduled. Members noted that the amendments would not impact on the role of the Business Committee. Members also noted that the Speaker will issue a ruling on procedural and practical matters associated with the new provision.

6.4 Members welcomed both proposals, and it was agreed that the Speaker should write to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures to advise him that members were content with the proposed changes. Members also agreed to review the operation of extended Monday sittings in three to six months time.