DEBATING PROCEDURES FOR THE THIRD SITTING
First familiarise yourself with the following debating procedures which you will have to follow during the debate in the Council Chamber of the Belfast City Hall. The Speaker and all members will have a copy of the Order paper - an Agenda for the Plenary Session. It will list the motions, who is going to speak and in what order. The speaker calls on each of the named members to speak. Time will be set aside after the named speeches for others to contribute to the debate.
o There will be 7 motions - 14+ schools/youth clubs will speak for (proposing and seconding) and against the motions (opposing and seconding).
o The Speaker will call on the Clerk to read a motion. The Proposer does not have to repeat the wording of the motion but may do so for emphasis.
o First one pupil PROPOSING THE MOTION will be asked to speak - maximum 1.5 minutes.
o Then a second pupil from the same school seconding THE same MOTION will be asked to speak max. 1 minute (very short).
o Then the first pupil from a different school OPPOSING THE MOTION will be asked to speak - max. 1.5 minutes.
o The second pupil from the same school seconding the motion will be asked to speak - max. 1 minute (very short). All named speakers will stand at their microphone.
o After these 4 pupils (proposing and seconding and opposing and seconding) have spoken, everyone else has a chance to speak. Pupils wanting to speak must raise their hand and wait for the Chair to ask them to speak. The floor will be open for 4 minutes. Pupils will then stand up, remaining where they are, state their name and school and make their point - loudly and clearly.
o After the debate has finished, the Proposer of a motion winds up briefly by saying 'I beg to move'. For example: 'Having heard our arguments you can see we have the much stronger case. I urge members to support the motion and I beg to move' (these words must be said).
o After everyone has spoken - there is a vote to decide how many people agree or disagree with the motion. Pupils can also 'abstain'. There will be a 'voice vote' first, followed by a show of hands to allow the votes to be counted.
If more people agree with the motion - it is 'CARRIED'. If more people disagree with the motion - it is 'LOST'. If there is a tie, the motion falls. Debate will last for approx 70 min.
