Minutes of Proceedings

1. Introduction and apologies

1.1 The Speaker thanked Mr Weir for chairing the last meeting.

1.2 Apologies were noted from Mrs Karen McKevitt.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 02 October 2012

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 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 15 October 2012

Assembly Business

4.1 Members agreed to schedule a UUP motion to change committee

memberships on Monday 15 October.

Executive Business

4.2 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a statement from the Minister for Social Development on the Housing Strategy Consultation had been scheduled for Monday 15 October.

4.3 Members noted that there were no amendments to the previously agreed Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 16 October.   

Committee Business

4.4 Members noted that there was no change to the Committee Business already scheduled.

Private Members’ Business  

4.5 Members noted that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment was no longer available to respond to the SDLP motion on ‘Unemployment Rates’ scheduled for Tuesday 16 October. Members agreed to reschedule the motion to Monday 22 October, when the Minister would be available to respond.

4.6      Members agreed to schedule a replacement Private Members’ motion on Tuesday 16 October and the selection fell to the DUP. The following motion was selected:

• ‘The Disappeared’ (Mr W Humphrey, Ms P Bradley).

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

4.7 Junior Minister Bell confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond.

4.8 The draft Order Papers were agreed.  

5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 October 2012

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Minister for Employment and Learning, and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Consideration Stage of the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill (NIA 15/11-15) and the Consideration Stage of the Superannuation Bill (NIA 6/11-15) were also scheduled for Monday 22 October.

5.2 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Finance and Personnel, the following Executive Business was scheduled for Tuesday 23 October:

• Construction Contracts Exclusion Order (Northern Ireland) 2012;
• The Scheme for Construction Contracts in Northern Ireland (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012; and
• Legislative Consent Motion: Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill.

Committee Business

5.3 There was no Committee Business requested.  

Private Members’ Business

5.4 Members noted that the rescheduling of the SDLP motion on ‘Unemployment Rates’ had already been agreed for Monday 22 October.

5.5 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ motion on Tuesday 23 October and, under the system of allocation, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.

The following motion was selected:

• ‘Cross-Border Education’ (Mr B McElduff; Mr Flanagan; Mr F McCann).

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

5.7. Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 23 October. Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with the DUP. 

The following topic was selected:

• ‘Traffic issues in Hillsborough village’ (Mrs B Hale)

5.8  Junior Minister Bell 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 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Office of the First and deputy First Minister requesting an exchange of Question Time slots on 19 November with the Minister for Regional Development on 27 November.

6.2  Members agreed to the request.

7.  Any other business            

7.1 There was no other business. 

8.  Date and Time of next meeting

8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 16 October 2012 in Room 106.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.36pm.

Mr Speaker
Chairperson