Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2010/2011
Date: 07 December 2010
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 12.32 pm
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker welcomed Ms Anna Lo to the meeting, and noted apologies from Mr Peter Weir and Mr Kieran McCarthy.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 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 13 December 2010
4.1 Members agreed to schedule plenary business for after the Christmas recess at the meeting planned for 11 January 2011.
Executive Business
4.2 Members noted the following Executive Business:
Monday 13 December
- Question Time to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Minister for Regional Development;
- Consideration Stage – Energy Bill.
Tuesday 14 December
- Consideration Stage – Safeguarding Board Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill;
- Final Stage – Student Loans (Amendment) Bill;
- Final Stage – Tourism (Amendment) Bill;
- Second Stage – Planning Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of Education.
Wednesday 15 December
- Legislative Consent Motion relating to the Savings Account and Health in Pregnancy Grant Bill; and
- Consideration Stage – Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill.
4.3 Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Employment (No.2) Bill,
expected for Tuesday 14 December, would now not be scheduled until after the Christmas recess.
4.4 Members noted that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Tuesday 14 December, on a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Health and Food Safety Sectoral format.
4.5 Members noted that the Minister for Social Development intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Wednesday 15 December on matters relating to Housing.
4.6 The Junior Ministers confirmed that the First Stage of the Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) Bill was scheduled for introduction on Tuesday 14 December, subject to the Speaker’s clearance. They also advised that, as a Draft Budget had not yet been finalised, they were not in a position to comment on when any business related to it might be scheduled.
Committee Business
4.7 In addition to the motion from the Assembly Commission on Monday 13 December on its report on financial support and pensions for Members of the Assembly, members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on funding for Hospice Services. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for these debates, with the usual speaking times.
4.8 Members agreed to schedule two motions on Statutory and Standing Committee Membership from Sinn Féin on Monday 13 December.
Private Members’ Business
4.9 Members noted that the Second Stage of the Victims and Survivors
(Disqualification) Bill had been brought forward from Wednesday 15 December, and agreed to schedule it on Monday 13 December.
4.10 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stages of both the Apartment
Developments’ Management Reform Bill and the Hunting Bill on Wednesday 15 December.
4.10.1 Members agreed to schedule the adjournment debate selected at last week’s meeting, on the ‘Future of former Shackleton army base at Ballykelly’ (J Dallat) on Wednesday 15 December.
4.11 Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Caravans Bill would now not be scheduled until after the Christmas recess, as the Executive was still considering proposed amendments to the Bill.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 Mr Thomas Burns expressed his concerns about the implications of the delay in agreeing the Draft Budget .
5.2 The Speaker notified Whips that two Ministers were experiencing problems today because of the snow. Whips noted that the Minister for Regional Development would respond to the Adjournment Debate on behalf of the Minister of Education. Whips also noted that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was hoping to get here in time for her Question Time slot at 2pm, but that Whips would be updated if there was a problem.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 The Speaker wished members a Happy Christmas. Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 11 January 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.46pm.
