Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2011/2012

Date: 07 June 2011

Venue: Room 106

1. Introduction and Apologies

1.1 Mr Weir advised members that he had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence, and noted apologies from Mr Paul Maskey. Mr Weir further advised members that Mr McGrath and Mr Welch would brief the Committee on matters relating to the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister, under agenda item 5.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2011

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 31 May were agreed and signed by the Acting Chairperson.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Week Commencing 13 June 2011

Executive Business

4.1 There was no additional Executive business scheduled on Monday 13 June.

4.2 Junior Minister Anderson advised members that the First Minister and deputy First Minister intend to make a statement on Tuesday 14 June regarding the NSMC Meeting in Plenary Format scheduled for Friday 10 June.

Committee Business

4.3 Members agreed to schedule an SDLP motion to appoint Mrs McKevitt to the Business Committee in place of Mr McDevitt on Monday 13 June.

4.4 Members noted that the Committee on Procedures had tabled three motions to amend Standing Orders to provide for a Principal Deputy Speaker. Members set no time limits for these motions, in line with convention; and agreed that a single debate would take place, as the motions were interdependent.

4.5 Members agreed to schedule the motions on Tuesday 14 June; and notedthat one hour had been shown in the indicative timings for this debate.

Private Members’ Business

4.5 Members noted that there was no change to the Private Members’ Business previously scheduled.

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 20 June 2011

Executive Business

5.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, members noted that Consideration Stage of the Budget (No.2) Bill was scheduled for Monday 20 June.

5.2 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Regional Development, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill was also scheduled for Tuesday 21 June.

5.3 Members noted that the Minister of Justice had sought permission from the Speaker to make a statement on an Inter-Governmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co-Operation on Tuesday 21 June.

Committee Business

5.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Assembly Commission on the Appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards on Monday 20 June. Members agreednot to set a time limit for the motion, but noted that the debate would not be expected to last longer than 30 minutes.

5.5 There was no Committee business requested for Tuesday 21 June. However, members noted that a motion on the EU Directive on Conditions for Temporary Agency Workers was expected to be agreed this week by the Committee for Employment and Learning. Members agreed, in principle, to allocate two hours for the debate.

Private Members’ Business

5.6 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ Motions on Monday 20 June, but none on Tuesday 21 June.

Under the system of allocation for Private Members’ Motions the selections lay with the DUP and Sinn Féin.

The following motions were proposed:

  • Reduction of Coastguard Services (Mr P Weir, Mr W Humphrey); and
  • Mortgage Relief Scheme (Mr F McCann, Mr A Maskey, Mr M Brady).

5.7 Members agreed to schedule both motions on Monday 20 June; and agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.

5.8 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 21 June. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the UUP.

The UUP selected the following topic:

  • Justice for Colin Worton.

5.9 Members further noted that there would not be an Executive response to the motion on the ‘Reduction of Coastguard Services’. Junior Minister Anderson confirmed that the relevant Ministers were available to respond to the other Private Members’ motion and the Adjournment Debate.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Members noted that a visit from the Prime Minister was expected on Thursday 9 June. Mr McGrath and Mr Welch briefed members on the proposed timings of the visit; security arrangements including searches of rooms and car boots; and advised that party support staff would be contacted with full information on the proposed arrangements.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 14 June 2011 in Room 106.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.53pm.

Mr William Hay
Speaker

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