NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 3 JULY 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 1.15 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr P J Bradley
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr G McHugh
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat): Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk
In attendance: Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Observers: Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Mr I Paisley Jnr. Junior Minister
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2007
1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
2. Matter Arising
2.1 Referring to paragraph 3.2 of the minutes (nominations to the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body), the Speaker sought an update from members. Mr McCarthy nominated Mr Sean Neeson as Alliance representative. Other members indicated that they were not yet in a position to nominate, while Mr McNarry advised that his party was reserving its position on membership of the body.
2.2 Referring to paragraph 3.3 of the minutes (written ministerial statements), members considered a letter received from the junior Ministers in which clarification was provided on issues raised in the previous meeting. Following discussion, members (apart from Mr McNarry who wished to consult further with his party) agreed that they had no objection, in principle, to the introduction of written ministerial statements. Having considered a draft letter to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, members agreed that the letter should be amended to reflect the views expressed at the meeting.
2.3 The Speaker referred to paragraph 5.2 of the minutes (electronic voting) and sought members’ views on the principle involved. Various, differing views were expressed on the benefits (or otherwise) of electronic voting before members agreed that further information would be useful, and should be sought.
3. Any Other Business
3.1 The Speaker drew members’ attention to a further letter from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, with which Terms of Reference for a Committee Inquiry into Committee systems and structures were provided. Members noted that the Inquiry was directly relevant to the operation of the Business Committee. Members agreed that the clerks should provide a paper reflecting the current position of the Business Committee against the Terms of Reference, and that the paper should be issued to members, in advance, for discussion at the first meeting of the Business Committee after summer recess.
4. Date and Time of next meeting
4.1 Members agreed to meet at 12.30 on Tuesday 4 September 2007, in Room 106, noting that the Speaker would make contact with them if circumstances required an earlier than anticipated plenary meeting.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.35 pm.