Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 12.47pm.

1. Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr Kelly, Lord Morrow and Mrs Overend. The Speaker welcomed Mr McCartney as the Sinn Féin substitute and Mr Kinahan as the UUP substitute.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2012

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 12 November 2012

Public Petitions

4.1 Members agreed to schedule the presentation of a public petition on Tuesday 13 November by Mr Steven Agnew relating to ‘Development of a strategic plan for athletics as a priority sport’.

Executive Business

4.2 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a motion from the Minister of the Environment to approve the draft Local Government (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 was scheduled for Monday 12 November.

4.3 Members noted that there were no changes to the previously agreed Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 13 November, and further noted that statements were possible on both days.

Committee Business

4.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Finance and Personnel to extend the Committee Stage of the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill on Monday 12 November.

Private Members’ Business

4.5 Having deferred the choice of a Private Members’ motion at the last meeting, it was noted that the SDLP had selected a motion on the ‘Construction Industry’. Members agreed to schedule the motion for Monday 12 November, with the usual timings.

4.6 A cross-party motion on a ‘Diabetes Strategy’ was also scheduled on Monday 12 November, to mark the occasion of World Diabetes Awareness Day later that week. The committee agreed to allow a total of one hour for the motion, with the usual speaking times.

4.7 There was no change to Private Members’ business agreed previously for Tuesday 13 November.

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

4.9 The draft Order Papers were agreed.  

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 November 2012

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that, apart from Question Time to the Minister for Regional Development, and the Minister for Employment and Learning, the Final Stage of the Superannuation Bill was scheduled for Monday 19 November.

5.2 Members noted that, apart from Question Time to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and the Minister of the Environment, no further Executive Business was scheduled for Tuesday 20 November.

Committee Business

5.3 There was no Committee Business requested.  

Private Members’ Business

5.4 Members agreed to reschedule the UUP motion on the ‘Child Poverty Action Plan’ (which had been deferred following a special meeting of the Business Committee on Monday 5 November) on Monday 19 November.

5.5 Members agreed to schedule two further Private Members’ motions on Monday 19 November, and one on Tuesday 20 November. Under the system of allocation the selections lay with Alliance, UUP and DUP.

The following motions were selected:

• ‘Energy Strategy’ (Ms A Lo, Mr T Lunn, Mr K McCarthy);
• ‘Access to Public Procurement Opportunities’ (Mrs S Overend, Mr M Nesbitt); and
• ‘Reform of Employment Law’ (Mr A Ross, Mr P Weir).

5.6 Due to availability issues relating to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, it was agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Energy Strategy’ on Tuesday 20 November, with the other two motions being scheduled on Monday 19 November.

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

5.8 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 20 November. Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with Alliance.

The following topic was proposed and selected:

• ‘Multiple deprivation in the Belvoir area of South Belfast’ (Ms A Lo).

5.9 Junior Minister McCann advised that all relevant Ministers were available to respond.

5.10 The provisional Order Papers were agreed.

6. Any other business          

6.1 There was no other business. 

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 13 November 2012 in Room 106.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.55pm.

Mr Speaker
Chairperson