Minutes of Proceedings

1. Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Lord Morrow, Mr Kelly and Mr Dickson. The Speaker welcomed Mr McCarthy as the Alliance substitute.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 09 October 2012

2.1 Members agreed to a proposal from Mr Pat Ramsey that the minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 9 October be amended to record apologies from Mrs Karen McKevitt. The minutes were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.  

4. DARD request to exchange Question Time slot

4.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development requesting an exchange of her Question Time slot on 12 November with the Minister of Justice’s slot on 6 November.

4.2 Members agreed to the request.

5. Finalisation of Order Papers for plenary meetings in week commencing 22 October 2012

Assembly Business

5.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion tabled under Standing Order 34 proposing that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission be asked to advise on whether the Welfare Reform Bill is compatible with Human Rights, on Monday 22 October 2012.

5.2 Members noted that Standing Order 34 sets out the procedure in the Chamber, and provides for the proposer of the motion, and one Member opposing it, to make brief explanatory statements before the Question is put without debate.

5.3 The Speaker advised Whips that, as this was the first occasion that a motion under Standing Order 34 had been brought, he had ruled that the convention will be that the Member moving such a motion, and the Member opposing it, will each have 5 minutes in which to make the ‘brief statements’ referred to in Standing Order 34.

5.4 Members noted that the Minister for Social Development had advised that he will speak in opposition to the motion.

5.5 In response to requests for clarification, the Speaker advised that a motion under Standing Order 34 may be tabled by a single Member; that he would allow no interventions during the statements by the two contributors and would take no points of order until the conclusion of the item; and that, if the House resolves to reject it, the same motion cannot be tabled again.

5.6 Members noted that Mr Fra McCann and the Minister for Social Development will be the only speakers before the question is put; and requested that the likelihood of a division be reflected in the indicative timings. 

Executive Business

5.7 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business agreed previously, a motion from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to approve the draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations was scheduled for Monday 22 October.

5.8 Members noted that there were no changes to the previously agreed Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 23 October.   

Committee Business

5.9 Members noted that there was no Committee Business scheduled.

Private Members’ Business  

5.10 Members noted that there was no change to the Private Members’ business agreed previously.

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

5.12 The draft Order Papers were agreed.  

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

Executive Business

6.1 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, a statement from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the disallowance of single farm payments, and the Further Consideration Stage of the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill (NIA 15/11-15) were also scheduled for Monday 5 November.

6.2 Members noted that, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of the Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Minister for Regional Development, the Further Consideration Stage of the Superannuation Bill (NIA 6/11-15) and the Final Stage of the Air Passenger Duty (Setting of Rate) Bill (NIA 15/11-15) were scheduled for Tuesday 6 November.

Committee Business

6.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on Muscular Dystrophy and Related Neuromuscular Conditions on Monday 5 November, allocating up to 1 hour 30 minutes, with the usual speaking times.

Private Members’ Business

6.4 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ motion on Monday 5 November and two on Tuesday 6 November. Under the system of allocation, the selections lay with the DUP, UUP and Sinn Féin.

The following motions were selected:

• ‘Funding for Boxing’ (Miss M McIlveen; Mr P Weir; Mr S Douglas; Mr W Humphrey);
• ‘Child Poverty Action Plan’ (Mr M Nesbitt; Mr D Kinahan); and
• ‘EU Funding for 2014-2020’ (Mr S Lynch; Mr D McAleer; Mr C Ó hOisín).

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

6.6 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 6 November. Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with Sinn Féin. 

The following topic was selected:

• ‘Delay in key planning applications in the Foyle constituency’ (Ms Maeve McLaughlin)

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

6.8 The provisional Order Papers were agreed.

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 23 October 2012 in Room 106.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.41pm.

Mr Speaker
Chairperson