Minutes of Proceedings

Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr Gerry Kelly, Lord Morrow, Mr Pat Ramsey, Mr Robin Swann, and Mr Stewart Dickson. Mr McCarthy attended as the Alliance substitute.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12 March 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 the plenary meetings in week commencing 8 April 2013

Executive Business

4.1 Members noted that there was no change to the Executive Business previously scheduled for Monday 8 April.  

4.2 Members noted that, while Question Time would proceed as scheduled on Tuesday 9 April, the Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill was now provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 15 April.

Committee Business

4.3 Members noted that there were still no requests for Committee Business.

Private Members’ Business   

4.4 Following clarification on the scheduling of the Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill, members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Tuesday 9 April.

Members agreed that the DUP motion on ‘EU Regional Aid’, originally scheduled for debate on Tuesday 19 March, would be rescheduled for Tuesday 9 April.

Under the system of allocation, the selection of the second motion fell to the SDLP, and the following motion was selected:

• ‘Civic Forum on Participative Democracy’ (Mr C Eastwood, Mr J Dallat, Mrs D Kelly).

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

4.5 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate for Tuesday 9 April and, under the system of allocation, the selection lay with Alliance. The following adjournment topic was selected:

• ‘Pollution in the River Lagan and its tributaries’ (Mr T Lunn).

4.6 Mr Rogers confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the business selected.  

4.7 The draft Order Papers were agreed.

5. Provisional arrangements for the plenary meetings in week commencing 15 April 2013

Executive Business

5.1 Members noted that, along with Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, a motion to approve the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013, and a motion to approve the Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013, were scheduled for Monday 15 April 2013.

5.2 Members noted that, along with Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning, a motion to approve the Draft CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2013, and a motion to approve the Parental Leave (EU Directive) (Maternity and Paternity Leave) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 were scheduled for Tuesday 16 April. Members further noted that Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill was now provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 16 April, but that this remained contingent on agreement by the Executive to proposed amendments.

Committee Business

5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on ‘Suicide Prevention’ on Monday 15 April, with the usual timings.  

Private Members’ Business   

5.4 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ motion on Monday 15 April, and none on Tuesday 16 April, pending clarification on the scheduling of the Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill. Under the system of allocation, the selection lay with Alliance, and Mr McCarthy agreed to notify the Clerk of his party’s selection after the meeting.

5.5 Members agreed to not schedule an adjournment topic on Tuesday 16 April; and agreed to reconsider this position at the next meeting of the Business Committee, following clarification on the scheduling of the Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill.

5.6 Mr Rogers confirmed that all Ministers were currently available to respond to business in week commencing 15 April.   

5.7 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 9 April 2013 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.04pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson