NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.20 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr T Lunn
Mr P Maskey
Mr P McGlone
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat): Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
In attendance: Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Observers: Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr I Paisley Jnr. Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker reported that Mr PJ Bradley had appointed Mr T Burns as his substitute for the Business Committee, and welcomed Mr Burns to the meeting.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2007
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 18 September were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matter Arising
3.1 Referring to paragraph 2.2 of the minutes (nominations to the project group on the refurbishment of the Chamber) the Speaker asked the SDLP representatives if they wished to nominate one of their Business Committee members to participate in the group. Mr McGlone reported that he was not yet able to nominate, and the Speaker advised that the group would meet within the next week whether or not a nomination was made.
3.2 In connection with paragraph 3.4 of the minutes (Assembly Commission motion on a revised payments scheme) Mr McNarry recorded his party’s gratitude to the Speaker for his efforts on behalf of party whips.
4. Arrangements for plenary meetings in week commencing 1 October
4.1 Members were referred to draft Order Papers for Monday 1 October and Tuesday 2 October, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business
4.2 Members noted that an Executive motion seeking approval of a Statutory Rule had been tabled immediately before the meeting. It was confirmed that the Rule had been laid in the Business Office and considered by the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Examiner of Statutory Rules. Members noted that the Rule would cease to have effect if it was not approved by the Assembly by 9 October (assuming the current Assembly sitting arrangements continued) and agreed that the motion should be scheduled for debate on Tuesday 2 October. .
4.3 Members noted that there was no other Executive business scheduled for either day, other than Question Time, and were advised that there were no indications that ministerial statements were planned.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule three Committee motions, (the first relating to a change in committee membership, the second seeking to extend the Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill, and the third seeking to annul a Statutory Rule) on to the Order Paper for Monday 1 October. Members agreed that one hour should be sufficient time to dispose of all three motions.
Private Members’ business
4.5 Members discussed the scheduling of private Members’ motions in light of an increasing number of ministerial statements and the emergence of Executive and Committee motions, and agreed that it would be helpful to have more notice of ministerial statements. Following discussions, members agreed that two Private Members’ motions should be scheduled for debate on Monday 1 October, and three on Tuesday 2 October.
4.6 By consensus, the motions on:
‘Mandatory registration of landlords‘ (F McCann and M Brady); and
‘Strategic Planning Policy’ (R Beggs)
were selected for debate (in that order) on Monday 1 October. It was agreed that each motion would be allocated up to one hour for debate, but that if there were no ministerial statements on Monday, each could be extended by up to 30 minutes at the Speaker’s discretion.
4.7 By consensus, the motions on:
‘Equality in Northern Ireland Report’ (A Attwood);
‘Sustainable Development and Climate Change’ (B Wilson); and
‘Policing in Northern Ireland’ (Rt Hon. J Donaldson, P Weir and T Buchanan)
were selected for debate (in that order) for Tuesday 2 October. It was agreed that the first two motions would be allocated up to 1 hour and 30 minutes for debate, while the third motion would be allocated up to 2 hours. Members were informed that there was no ministerial responsibility for the ‘Policing in Northern Ireland’ motion but that the Executive would consider whether or not any Minister would respond.
4.8 Members noted that one Adjournment debate topic had been tabled, but had been withdrawn immediately before the meeting.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 Following discussions, members agreed that speaking limits, similar to those for debates on private members’ motions, should be applied to Adjournment debates in future.
5.2 The Speaker advised members that, in considering the issues raised in a Point of Order from Mr D Bradley, he wished to address the issue of Members’ attendance at debates. The Speaker drew members’ attention to a ‘Speaker’s Decision’ paper (copy attached)
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet during a lunchtime suspension of the Assembly sitting (at around 12.30 pm) on Tuesday 2 October in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.05 pm.
William Hay
The Speaker
Notification to Business Committee – Speaker’s decision
Moving, winding and attendance at debates
Issue
A Point of Order was raised by Mr Dominic Bradley on 18 September, and the Speaker wishes to deal with the following issues in response:
Which Members should be called to move and to wind motions and amendments;
Whether there should be any attendance requirement of those who wish to take part in debate, including those who move and wind; and
The Speaker’s desire to encourage debate in the Chamber, with Members listening and referring to others’ contributions.
Speaker’s decisions
1. It is a clear convention that a Member may move a motion or amendment only if his or her name appears on the Order Paper or the marshalled list of amendments. Up to four names may appear on either paper.
2. The Speaker would prefer that the Members who wind motions and amendments should be drawn from those whose names appear on the Order Paper or Marshalled List. However, this is ultimately a matter for the party whip and the Speaker will not rule against someone delivering the wind who is not named in the papers.
3. Members who wish to participate in a debate should be in the Chamber to hear the opening speeches.
4. When called to speak, Members should refer to the contributions of others in developing their own ideas, and remain in the Chamber for at least two further speeches, in order to hear any references to their own contribution.
5. If a Member has to leave the Chamber on other business, he or she should try to return to the Chamber to hear the winding speeches.
6. The Table should be notified as early as possible about who has been chosen to deliver the wind.
7. The Members winding on motions or amendments should have been present in the Chamber to hear the various arguments for and against their position, and should refer to these in summing up.
8. It is attendance in the Chamber that counts, and listening to the debate elsewhere will not be accepted as an alternative.
The Speaker accepts that Members may have other Assembly business to attend to during sitting days, and that they will not always be able to fully meet these standards. However, if that is the case for a Member who is called to speak in a debate, the Speaker believes that an explanation to the House would be in order.
25 September 2007