NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.40 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chair)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr D O’Loan
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Mrs C Devon Interim Clerk / Director General
Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Mr A Murphy Assistant Clerk of Business
In attendance:
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
The Speaker reported that Mr PJ Bradley had appointed Mr Declan O’Loan as his substitute for the current meeting of the Business Committee, and welcomed Mr O’Loan to the meeting.
The Speaker informed members that a Petition of Concern had been tabled in the Business Office in relation to the Irish-Medium Club Bank motion to be debated later that day. The Speaker advised members that under Standing Order 27 the motion could still be debated but that the vote would have to be taken at a later date. Members agreed that the vote, which would be on a cross-community basis, should be taken as the first item of business on Monday 19 November.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2007
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 6 November were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
Referring to paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of the minutes (relating to the two-week scheduling of business) the Speaker drew members attention to a letter from Mr Paul Goggins, on behalf of the Secretary of State, seeking the Assembly’s views on the draft Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2007.
Following discussions, members agreed that a motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on the matter should be scheduled for Monday 19 November. Members also agreed the wording of the motion, including the numerical and party composition of the Ad Hoc Committee and the date by which the Committees report should be debated by the Assembly (28 January 2008). Members agreed that the names of Lord Morrow and Ms C N í Chuil ín would appear alongside the motion. Mr D McNarry asked whether or not the position of Chairperson of an ad-hoc committee was remunerated. The Speaker undertook to provide an answer to the member as soon as possible.
Members further agreed that a revised Order Paper for Monday 19 November would be issued to reflect this new item of business.
Members were informed that informal notification of additional Ministerial statements had been received: one for Monday 19 November and one for Tuesday 20 November. Junior Minister G Kelly advised that one of the original Ministerial statements for Tuesday 20 November would not now take place until week commencing 26 November.
4. Arrangements for plenary meetings in week commencing 26 November
4.1 Members were referred to draft Order Papers for Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 November, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
4.2 Due to the extent of business tabled for Monday 26 November, members agreed to schedule a business motion to suspend the relevant Standing Orders to allow a later finishing time. Members also agreed that the names of Mr D McNarry and Mr T Burns would appear alongside the motion.
Executive Business – week commencing 26 November
4.3 In addition to Question Time, Members agreed that the First Stage of the Public Health (Amendment) Bill would be scheduled for Monday 26 November. This would be followed by the accelerated passage motion for the Pensions Bill. Members allocated no specific time limit to this debate, but anticipated that it would last no longer than 30 minutes.
4.4 Members further agreed that the Second Stage of the Pensions Bill would be scheduled for Monday 26 November. Members were informed that no time limits were fixed for debates on Bill Stages. However, members agreed that one hour should be sufficient for the purposes of indicative timings.
4.5 Members were content that the Ministerial Statement proposed by Minister of Finance and Personnel on the NSMC SEUPB Sectoral Format would be delivered on Tuesday 27 November.
4.6 Members also agreedto schedule a legislative consent motion on the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill , tabled by the Minister of Finance and Personnel on Tuesday 27 November. Members agreed not to allocate a specific time to this debate, but noted that 30 minutes should suffice.
Committee Business
Members agreed to schedule the motion, tabled by the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, on the draft Programme for Government and draft Investment Strategy for Monday 26 November. Following discussions, Members agreed to allocate up to 6 hours for this debate (based on equivalent debate running times in the previous Assembly). Members further agreed that the proposer of the motion would have 15 minutes to propose and 20 minutes to wind, the Minister would have up to 45 minutes to respond and that all other speakers would have 10 minutes.
4.8 The Speaker reminded members that during debates, Committee Chairpersons should refrain from making personal or political comments when speaking as Chairpersons, and that they should alert the House if they wished to speak in a personal capacity.
Members agreed to schedule the motion by the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the draft Budget for Tuesday 27 November. Members agreed to allocate up to 4 hours 30 minutes for this debate and to adopt the same speaking time limits agreed for the draft Programme for Government and draft Investment Strategy motion.
Members agreed to schedule the motion tabled by the Public Accounts Committee on the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Tuesday 27 November. Members agreed to allow up to 30 minutes for the debate.
Private Members’ business
4.11 Members agreed that no Private Members’ business would be scheduled for Monday 26 or Tuesday 27 November.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 The Speaker informed members that following the recent ‘breaking’ news incidents in Omagh and Dungannon he felt it would be helpful if there was a mechanism whereby Members would be able to comment on such matters in the House. Lord Morrow informed members that he would be bringing a proposal on this matter to the Procedures Committee at the earliest opportunity, and members agreed they were content with this approach.
5.2 Lord Morrow raised the issue of Question Time finishing early on Monday 12 November. The Speaker confirmed that the questions still on the list to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure could not be taken as the relevant Members were not in the chamber to ask them. The Speaker reminded members that he would be bringing a paper to the committee on issues surrounding Question Time.
5.3 The Speaker reminded members of the 11 am deadline for tabling questions and motions on Thursday 15 November due to the Rally Ireland event being held in the grounds of Stormont.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 20 November in Room 106 with Ms C N í Chuil ín to act as Chairperson in the absence of the Speaker.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 2.00 pm.