Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 12.38 pm

1. Introduction and Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr Paul Maskey, Mr Fred Cobain, and Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2011

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 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 7 March 2011

Assembly Business

4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow business to continue past 7pm on Monday 7 March. Further to the discussion at the previous meeting (paragraph 6.2 of the agreed minute refers), members further agreed to consider specifying an adjournment time in a motion to suspend Standing Orders only where it appeared that business would otherwise continue until an unreasonably late hour. Members noted that there might be unavoidable pressures on business in the weeks up to dissolution, but agreed to adopt this approach to such motions in the new mandate.

Executive Business

4.2 Members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the High Hedges Bill had been rescheduled for Monday 7 March.

4.3 Members noted that a Legislative Consent Motion on the Public Bodies Bill had been scheduled for Monday 7 March.

4.4 Members noted that a Legislative Consent Motion on the Health and Social Care Bill had been scheduled for Tuesday 8 March.

4.5 Mr Rogers confirmed that the Consideration Stage of the Planning Bill had received Executive agreement and should therefore be scheduled for Tuesday 8 March. Consequently, members agreed to schedule the business listed on the Order Paper over Tuesday 8 March and Wednesday 9 March. Members agreed that the Consideration Stage of the Planning Bill could be taken on either day, as time permitted. Members agreed that the sitting should suspend at 8pm on Tuesday and resume on Wednesday at 10.30am.

4.6 Members noted that the following Ministers intended to seek permission from the Speaker to each make a statement on Monday 7 March;

• Minister for Employment and Learning; and
• Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

4.7 Members noted that the Minister of the Environment intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Tuesday 8 March.

Committee Business

4.8 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to report on Statutory Committee Activity on European Issues. Members agreed to schedule one hour 30 minutes for the debate, with the usual speaking times.

Private Members’ Business

4.9 To alleviate the pressure of business on Monday 7 March, members agreed to reschedule the Consideration Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill to Tuesday 8 March / Wednesday 9 March. Members agreed that the Consideration Stage of the Single Use Plastic Bags Bill could be taken on either day, as time permitted.

4.10 Members noted that the Final Stage of the Local Government (Disqualification) Bill would be taken on Wednesday 9 March.

5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 14 March 2011

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Monday 14 March:

• Final Stage – Housing (Amendment) Bill;
• Final Stage – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill;
• A Motion to approve the Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order;
• A Motion to approve the Departments (Transfer of Function) (No.2) Order;
• Legislative Consent Motion on the Energy Bill; and
• Question Time to the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Social Development.

5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Tuesday 15 March:

• Final Stage – High Hedges Bill;
• Final Stage – Justice Bill;
• Five Motions to approve the following Statutory Rules from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment:
  • Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
  • Categories of Tourist Establishment Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
  • Draft Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
  • Insolvency (Fees) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
  • Draft Debt Relief (2010 Act) (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
• Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Finance and Personnel.

5.3 Members noted that the Minister of the Environment had sought permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Tuesday 15 March on the ‘Road Safety Strategy’.

5.4 Members noted that additional Executive Business may be added on Monday 14 March.

Private Members’ Business

5.5 Members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill on Monday 14 March.

5.6 Members agreed to schedule the Final Stage of Mr Dominic Bradley’s Autism Bill on Tuesday 15 March.

5.7 Members agreed to that there was no scope to schedule any Private Members Motions or Adjournment Debates, given the volume of Executive Business still expected.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Members noted the rumours which had circulated regarding the Minister of Finance and Personnel’s intent to make a statement to the Assembly on Friday 4 March in relation to a revised draft budget. The Speaker advised members that he had not received any notification from the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to this, but that Whips would be notified as soon as any request was received.

A number of Whips expressed the view that there seemed to be no reason why any statement on the revised draft budget could not be delivered to the Assembly on Monday 7 March. Mr Ramsey expressed his concern about the practicalities of recalling all MLAs to the Assembly on Friday 4 March, particularly at short notice. The Speaker asked Mr Rogers to relay to the Executive the views of the Business Committee.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.50pm.

Mr William Hay
Speaker