Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2009/2010
Date: 27 April 2010
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 12.39 pm
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr Pat Ramsey and Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, and welcomed both Mr Patsy McGlone and Ms Sue Ramsey to the meeting in their place.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 20 April 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 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 3 May 2010
4.1 There were no further changes to the draft Order Paper for Tuesday 4 May.
4.2 Members noted that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was now available to respond to the Adjournment Debate on ‘Primary Health Care Provision in Carrickmore’, scheduled for Tuesday 4 May,
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 10 May 2010
Executive Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Monday 10 May:
- Second Stage – High Hedges Bill (NIA 15/09); and
- Second Stage – Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill (NIA 16/09).
5.2 Members noted that the only Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 11 May was Question Time to the Minister of the Environment. Members also noted that the Assembly Commission was scheduled for Question Time on Tuesday 11 May.
5.3 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton confirmed that there is no additional Executive Business expected.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule the Committee for the Environment’s motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill (NIA 10/09) on Monday 10 May.
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the following committee motions on Tuesday 11 May:
- Extension of Committee Stage of the Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill (NIA 12/09);
- Joint Committee motion from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for Finance and Personnel on ‘Northern Ireland Economic Reform Group Report on Corporation Tax’.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule 1 hour 30 minutes for the joint Committee Motion on the ‘Northern Ireland Economic Reform Group Report on Corporation Tax’, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
5.7 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ motion on Monday 10 May and one motion on Tuesday 11 May.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the SDLP and DUP had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘Water Charges for Domestic Premises’ (T Gallagher, J Dallat); and
- ‘Community Access to School Facilities’ (Lord Browne, A Ross, M Storey, M McIlveen).
5.8 Members agreed to schedule the motion ‘Water Charges for Domestic Premises’ on Monday 10 May and the motion ‘Community Access to School Facilities’ on Tuesday 11 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for both debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.9 Members agreed that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 11 May. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the SDLP.
The SDLP selected the following topic:
- ‘The Urgent Need to Upgrade the Downpatrick to Newry (B8) Route’ (PJ Bradley).
5.10 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 11 May.
5.11 Junior Minister Kelly informed Members that all relevant Ministers were available.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker referred members to an advice paper that had been tabled reminding Whips of the conventions for calling members for supplementary questions at Question Time. The Speaker advised that, while the conventions will normally apply, he remains happy to consider reasonable requests to be called if Members alert him in advance that they have a particular interest in a question. He also remains happy to discuss Members’ concerns outside the Chamber. However, the Speaker cautioned that he would not tolerate challenges being made in the Chamber or at the Table. Members were asked to bring these matters to the attention of their party colleagues.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 4 May 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.54pm.
