Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2010/2011
Date: 25 October 2010
Venue: Room 106
The meeting began at 9.17 am
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr Fred Cobain and junior Minister Newton.
2. Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting on 25 October 2010
Private Members’ Business
2.1 The Speaker advised members that he had received a valid notice under Standing Order 11 that the Assembly should meet today to discuss the motion on the ‘Comprehensive Spending Review Proposals’ (G Adams, C Ní Chuilín, A McDonnell, D O’Loan).
2.2 Members determined that the Assembly should reconvene at 10.30am on Monday 25 October to debate the motion, and agreed the Order Paper.
2.3 The Speaker advised members that four Amendments had been tabled to the Motion, and that the normal convention would be to accept two Amendments given their similar nature. Members noted the impact that two Amendments would have on the number of contributions from Members during the debate, and agreed that 2 hours would be allocated to the debate, with the usual speaking times.
2.4 Members noted that a Matter of the Day had been tabled on the deaths of three people in a helicopter crash on 23 October, but that it could not be accepted as the Assembly had only reconvened to debate the specific matter referred to in the notice to the Speaker under Standing Order 11.
2.5 Following Mr Weir’s suggestion that Members be allowed some latitude to pass on their personal condolences following the death of Mr John Harrison, it was agreed that the Speaker, on behalf of the Assembly, would, at the start of business, extend the House’s sympathies to the families of Mr Harrison and those killed in the helicopter crash.
2.6 After the meeting it was also agreed that condolences should also be extended to the family of Mr Jim Dougal, following his death on 15 October.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 9.24am.
