Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 23 May 2011
Venue: Room 106
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr J McCallister.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2011
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 17 May were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Plenary meeting in week commencing 30 May 2011
4.1 Members agreed that there would be no sitting on Monday 30 May 2011; and, as there was no forthcoming Executive Business, agreed to sit on Tuesday 31 May 2011 to consider Private Members’ Business.
Private Members’ Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Tuesday 31 May 2011.
Under the system of allocation for Private Members’ motions the selections lay with the DUP and Sinn Féin.
The following motions were proposed:
- Educational Attainment in Working Class Protestant Areas (Mr A Easton, Mr S Douglas, Mr P Weir); and,
- Services for Young People and Adults with Special Needs (Mr R McCartney, Mr P Doherty).
4.3 Members agreed to schedule both motions on Tuesday 31 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
4.4 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 31 May. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
The DUP selected the following topic:
- Upgrade of the A2 in East Antrim
Members agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 31 May.
4.5 The junior Ministers confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the Private Members’ motions and the Adjournment Debate.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 6 June 2011
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that Question Time would resume on Monday 6 June with Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister; and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
5.2 Members noted that Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of Education was scheduled for Tuesday 7 June.
Committee Business
5.3 There was no Committee business requested.
Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 6 June, and two on Tuesday 7 June.
Under the system of allocation for Private Members’ motions the selections lay with the DUP, the UUP, Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘Reform of Government Structures’ (T Elliott, J McCallister)
- ‘A5 Dual Carriageway Project’ (R McCartney, P Doherty)
- ‘Nursery Provision’ (C McDevitt)
5.5 The DUP deferred its selection, and undertook to inform the Clerk as soon as possible. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 7 June. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin selected the following topic:
- Minor Injuries Unit at Mid Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt.
Members agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 7 June.
5.6 The junior Ministers confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the Private Members’ motions and the Adjournment Debate.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker advised members that he had appointed Mr Peter Weir and Ms Jennifer McCann as acting Chairpersons of the Business Committee in his absence.
6.2 Members were asked to provide the name of their substitute on the committee to the Clerk as soon as possible.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 31 May 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.33pm.
