Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2010/2011
Date: 07 March 2011
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 11.16 am
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker thanked members for attending the meeting, and noted apologies from the Lord Morrow, Mr Paul Maskey, Mr Fred Cobain, Mr Thomas Burns, and Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton.
2. Revision of Order Paper for Plenary meetings on 8 and 9 March 2011
Executive Committee Business
2.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter he received from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, tabled for their information, asking that the Business Committee consider scheduling a motion on Wednesday 9 March to approve the Executive’s Budget.
2.2 Membersagreed to schedule the Motion on the ‘Programme of Expenditure Proposals for 2011-2015’ on Wednesday 9 March. Following discussion, members alsoagreed to allocate 7 hours to the debate, including a total of one hour 30 minutes for the Minister of Finance and Personnel to divide between proposing and winding the debate, at his discretion. Membersagreed that all other contributions to the debate would be limited to 10 minutes.
2.3 Membersnoted that if the Planning Bill finished before 8pm on Tuesday 8 March, Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill would also be moved; debated up until 8pm on Tuesday; and concluded on Wednesday 9 March, if necessary. Members furthernoted that, in this event, the Single Use Plastic Bags Bill would only be the first item of business on Wednesday if it was near its conclusion, otherwise the debate on the Bill would resume after the Motion on the ‘Programme of Expenditure Proposals for 2011-2015’.
2.4 Membersagreed to a half hour suspension for lunch on Wednesday 9 March, depending on the start time of the ‘Programme of Expenditure Proposals for 2011-2015’ Motion, and that the Speaker would judge the most appropriate time for this suspension on the day.
2.5 Membersnoted that the deadline for tabling Amendments to the ‘Programme of Expenditure Proposals for 2011-2015’ Motion was 4pm on Tuesday 8 March.
3. Date and Time of next meeting
3.1 Membersnoted that the usual meeting of the Business Committee is at 12.30pm on Tuesday 8 March 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 11.25am.
