Minutes of Proceedings

1. Introduction and Apologies

1.1 Apologies due to illness were noted from Mr Pat Ramsey. The Speaker and all members wished him a speedy recovery.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2011

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 4 October were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Request to Exchange DE Question Time slot Monday 24 October

4.1 Members agreed to the Minister of Education’s request to exchange his Question Time slot on Monday 24 October with the Minister for Employment and Learning’s slot on Tuesday 25 October.

5. Request to Exchange DARD Question Time slot Tuesday 15 November

5.1 Members agreed to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development’s request to exchange her Question Time slot on Tuesday 15 November with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s slot on Monday 21 November.

6. Finalisation of Order Papers for Week Commencing 17 October 2011

Executive Business

6.1 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business already scheduled, the Legislative Consent Motion on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill had been scheduled for Monday 17 October.

Committee Business

6.2 Members noted that there was no Committee Business requested.

Private Members’ Business

6.3 Members noted that there was no change to Private Members’ Business on Monday 17 October.

6.4 Members noted that, having deferred the choice of a Private Members’ motion at the last meeting, Sinn Féin had informed the Clerk that it wished to selection the motion on the ‘Crown Estate Along the Coastline’ for Tuesday 18 October.

6.5 Members noted that following the last meeting, the UUP had indicated to the Clerk that it wished to change its choice of adjournment topic on Tuesday 18 October to ‘Pollution of the Sixmilewater River.’

6.6 Members confirmed the following Private Members’ motions for Tuesday 18 October with the usual times:

• ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’
• ‘Crown Estate Along our Coastline’

Members also confirmed the Adjournment topic:

• ‘Pollution of the Sixmilewater River’

6.7 Junior Minister Bell confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the Private Members’ motions and the Adjournment topic.

7. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 24 October 2011

Executive Business

7.1 Members noted that, apart from Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister for Employment and Learning, a statement from the Minister of Justice on the Prison Service Review Report, and a motion on the Draft Local Government (Rates Support Grant) Regulations (NI) 2011 had been scheduled on Monday 24 October.

7.2 Members noted that, apart from Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance and Personnel, no further Executive business had been scheduled on Tuesday 25 October.

Committee Business

7.3 Members noted that no Committee Business had been requested.

Private Members’ Business

7.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ Motions on Monday 24 October and two on Tuesday 25 October.

Under the system of allocation for Private Members’ motions the selections lay with UUP, DUP, DUP, and Sinn Féín.

The following motions were proposed:

• ‘Banning Smoking in Cars Carrying Children’ (Mr J McCallister, Mr S Gardiner)
• ‘Review of Planning Enforcement’ (Mr J Wells, Mr P Weir, Mr A Easton);
• ‘Car Tax Renewal’ (Mr S Hamilton, Mr P Weir); and
• ‘Community Pharmacies’ (Mr D McKay, Ms M Boyle).

7.5 Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.

7.6 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 25 October. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.

The DUP selected the following topic:

• Closure of Dunmurry High School and Knockmore Primary School, including its Special Needs Unit.

Members agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 25 October.

7.7 Junior Minister Bell confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the Private Members’ Motions and the Adjournment debate.

7.8 Members noted that a cross-party motion on ‘Aggregates Levy Rebate’ was standing on the No Day Named List and agreed to consider scheduling it for plenary business in the week commencing 7 November.

8. Any Other Business

8.1 The Speaker reminded Members that issues relating to the length of time for debates are a matter for the Business Committee; and asked that Party Whips remind their colleagues that any concerns in this regard should be raised with them in the first instance, rather than directly with the Speaker.

9. Date and Time of next meeting

9.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 18 October 2011 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.40pm.

Mr William Hay
Speaker