Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 17 January 2012
Venue: Room 106
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 Apologies were noted from Junior Minister Anderson.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2012
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 January were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
3. Matters arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Week Commencing 23 January 2012
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that, in addition to business scheduled previously, the First Stage of the Pensions Bill had been scheduled for Monday 23 January, subject to the Speaker’s agreement.
4.2 Members noted, in addition business scheduled previously, an Accelerated Passage motion related to the Rates (Amendment) Bill had been scheduled for Tuesday 24 January.
Committee Business
4.3 Members agreed in addition to the business scheduled previously for both days, Members agreed to schedule a motion from Sinn Féin to change committee memberships on Monday 23 January .
Private Members Business
4.4 Members noted that there were no changes to the Private Members’ Business previously agreed.
4.5 The Order Papers were agreed.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 30 January 2012
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that, apart from Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, no additional Executive business had been scheduled on Monday 30 January 2012.
5.2 Members noted that in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning, the Second Stage of the Pensions Bill and the Consideration Stage of the Rates (Amendment) Bill had been scheduled for Tuesday 31 January.
Committee Business
5.3 Members noted that no Committee Business had been requested.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ Motions on Monday 30 January 2012.
Under the system of allocation for Private Members’ motions the selections lay with the UUP and SDLP.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘Tenancy Deposit Scheme’ (Mr M Copeland, Mr J McCallister)
- ‘Marion Price’ (Mr P Ramsey, Mr C McDevitt, Mr A Maginness)
5.6 Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each of the debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.7 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Monday 30 January 2012. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the SDLP.
SDLP selected the following topic:
- ‘Tourism development in the South Down area, in particular St Patrick’s Country and the Early Christian Heritage Signature Project’ (Ms M Ritchie)
5.8 Junior Minister Bell advised that all relevant Ministers were available to respond.
6. Responses to Written Questions
6.1 The Chairperson referred members to a summary paper on the response times to Assembly Written Questions. Members noted the results.
6.2 Members agreed to receive an update on the figures in March 2012, to cover January and February 2012.
7. Question Time Matters
7.1 The Chairperson referred members to a letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister requesting an exchange of their Question Time slot on 20 February with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure on 21 February. Members agreed the exchange.
7.2 Members agreed that, as Monday 19 March 2012 is a Bank Holiday, there would be no Plenary sitting on that day. Members also agreed that all four Question Time slots for that week would be scheduled for Tuesday 20 March.
8. Any Other Business
8.1 The Chairperson referred Members to a letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister received during recess regarding the Executive’s plans for primary legislation, and undertook to keep them informed of developments.
9. Date and Time of next meeting
9.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 24 January 2012 in Room 106.
The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.55pm.
