Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2012/2013

Date: 02 October 2012

Venue: Room 106

1. Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from the Speaker and Mrs Karen McKevitt. The Acting Chairperson welcomed Mr Kelly to the committee.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2012

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September were agreed and signed by the Acting Chairperson.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Finalisation of Order Papers for plenary meetings in week commencing 08 October 2012

Executive Business

4.1 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a motion from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland 2011-21 was scheduled for Monday 8 October. Members agreed to schedule two and half hours for the debate, with 15 minutes to move, 15 minutes to wind, and 7 minutes for all other speakers. A motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) was also scheduled; and it was expected that the First Stage of the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill would be introduced on that day.

4.2 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, the Second Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill was now confirmed on Tuesday 9 October; and that a statement from the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on ‘Transforming Your Care’ was also scheduled for that day.

Committee Business

4.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Social Development to extend the Committee Stage of the Business Improvement District Bill on Monday 8 October.

Private Members’ Business

4.4 Members noted that there was no change to the Private Members’ business already scheduled.

4.5 Mr Reid confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond.

4.6 The draft Order Papers were agreed.

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 15 October 2012

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, a motion to approve the draft Welfare of Animals (Docking of Working Dogs' Tails and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, and the Second Stage of the Education Bill were scheduled for Monday 15 October. Members further noted that a motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) would also be required for that day.

5.2 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of Education, a motion to allow the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill to proceed by accelerated passage, along with the Second Stage of the Bill itself, had been scheduled for Tuesday 16 October, subject to the Bill being introduced on Monday 8 October.

Committee Business

5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee on Procedures to amend Standing Order 59 on Tuesday 15 October.

Private Members’ Business

5.4 Members agreed to schedule no Private Members’ motions on Monday 15 October, but one on Tuesday 16 October.

5.5 Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with the SDLP.

The following motion was selected:

‘Unemployment Rates’ (Mr P McGlone, Mr A Maginness);

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

5.7. Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 16 October. Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with the SDLP. The following topic was selected:

‘Nursery provision at St John's Primary School, Middletown, Co Armagh’ (Mr D Bradley)

5.8 Mr Reid advised that all relevant Ministers were available to respond.

5.9 The provisional Order Papers were agreed.

6. Exchange of Question Time slots

6.1 Members noted a letter from the Office of the First and deputy First Minister requesting an exchange of Question Time slots in November. However, the Acting Chairperson advised that, as further correspondence had been received immediately before the meeting asking for consideration of the request to be deferred until further notice, no action was required at present.