Minutes of Proceedings

1. Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr Pat Ramsey and the Speaker welcomed Mr Joe Byrne as the SDLP substitute. The Speaker also welcomed Mr Robin Swann back to the Business Committee. .

2. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 February 2013

2.1 The minutes were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Finalisation of Order Papers for plenary meetings in week commencing 11 March 2013

Assembly Business

4.1 Members agreed to schedule a UUP motion to change Committee Membership on Monday 11 March.

4.2 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Assembly Commission on the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme 2013 on Monday 11 March.

Executive Business

4.3 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a motion to approve the Mental Health (Private Hospitals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 was scheduled for Monday 11 March.

4.4 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a statement on the recent NSMC meeting in Education sectoral format was scheduled for Tuesday 12 March; and that Further Consideration Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill had been rescheduled for that day. Following a request for clarification from Mr Weir about whether there was certainty that the Stage would proceed, Junior Minister McCann advised that the Minister of Justice had confirmed that it was his intention that the Further Consideration Stage should be scheduled for Tuesday 12 March.

Committee Business

4.5 Members noted that the text of the motion from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the Inquiry into Maximising the Potential of the Creative Industries was now included on the Draft Order Paper for Monday 11 March. Members agreed to a request from the Committee to allow 2 hours for the debate.

Private Members' Business

4.6 Due to the rescheduling of the Further Consideration Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill, Sinn Féin agreed to move its motion on 'Age Discrimination Legislation', originally scheduled for Tuesday 12 March, to Monday 11 March; and the DUP agreed to move its motion on 'EU Regional Aid', also scheduled for Tuesday 12 March, to Tuesday 19 March. Thanks were recorded to both parties for their co-operation in this matter.

4.7 The Speaker advised that there would be no Ministerial response to the motion on 'Age Discrimination Legislation'. Following a request for clarification from Ms Ruane, Junior Minister McCann advised that, as there was no Executive agreement on the matter, it would not be possible for a Minister to respond. Ms Ruane expressed her disappointment that there would be no Ministerial response.

4.8 Junior Minister McCann confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the business selected.

4.9 The draft Order Papers were agreed.

5. Provisional arrangements for the plenary meeting on Tuesday 19 March

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that, due to the Bank Holiday on Monday 18 March, four Question Time slots were scheduled on Tuesday 19 March; and that these would be to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Minister for Regional Development, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business was also scheduled for Tuesday 19 March:
• Statement on the NI Prison Service Estate Strategy;
• Assembly Consent Motion relating to the Public Bodies (Abolition of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal) Order 2013; and
• Assembly Consent Motion relating to the Public Bodies (Abolition of British Shipbuilders) Order 2013.

Committee Business

5.3 Members noted that there were no requests for Committee Business.

Private Members' Business

5.4 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill for Tuesday 19 March.

5.5 Members noted that the DUP motion on 'EU Regional Aid' had been rescheduled for Tuesday 19 March; and agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 19 March. The selection lay with Sinn Féin and the following topic was selected:

• ''Together towards tomorrow' report on the post primary review process' (Mr R McCartney).

Following a query from Mr Weir, Ms Ruane undertook to clarify that the adjournment topic related to matters specific to the Foyle constituency.

5.6 Junior Minister McCann confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the business selected.

5.7 The provisional Order Paper was agreed.

6. Any other business

6.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of the Environment requesting an exchange of Question Time slots on 22 April with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on 23 April.

6.2 Members agreed to the request.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 12 March 2013 in Room 106.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson