BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.45 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McGlone
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat): 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 J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker informed members that he had received written notification from Mr Gerry McHugh advising that the Member had left Sinn Féin and wished to be known as an independent. The Speaker said he would return to the matter and its procedural implications later in the meeting.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2007
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 27 November were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Referring to paragraph 2.1 of the minutes (2-week scheduling), the Speaker informed members that the paper referring to the Scottish model should be available to members before the Christmas recess and members agreed that it would be discussed at the meeting on Tuesday 8 January 2008.
3.2 Referring to paragraph 2.2 of the minutes (power to call for persons and papers), the Speaker drew members’ attention to the correspondence sent to the Clerk of the Committee on Procedures.
4. Review Order Papers for week commencing 10 December 2007
4.1 Members were referred to the Indicative timings for Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 December. There were no changes suggested to the Order Papers for these dates. Members were informed of the possibility of a Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on Monday 10 December.
5. Any Other Business
Review of the attendance of Junior Ministers at Business Committee meetings
5.1 Members agreed to review the attendance of Junior Ministers at the Business Committee early in the new year.
Resignation of a Member from a party
5.2 The Speaker drew members’ attention to a paper setting out the procedural issues surrounding Mr Gerry McHugh’s resignation from Sinn Féin. These included:
- confirmation that the resignation did not affect Ministerial Offices;
- information on Mr McHugh’s position as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges;
- confirmation that the party’s seating allocation in the chamber was unaffected; and
- confirmation that the speaking order in debates may be slightly affected.
5.3 Members were also advised that the Business Committee, under Standing Order 47(6), has to review “as soon as may be” the representation of parties on both Statutory and Standing Committees as a result of the resignation. Members were further advised that under Standing Order 46(3) the Speaker must ensure that Mr McHugh is offered at least one Statutory Committee place and that this must be taken into account in the review.
5.4 Members noted that, if Mr McHugh confirmed he would no longer adhere to the party whip, Sinn Féin’s voting strength in the Business Committee will, in accordance with Standing Order 50(6), reduce from 28 to 27.
5.5 After general discussions, members agreed to consider these issues at its next scheduled meeting after recess.
5.6 The Speaker drew members’ attention to correspondence between himself and Mrs Iris Robinson on the issue of time allocated to debates on Private Members’ motions. Members noted the correspondence.
5.7 In response to a query from Mr P Weir, the Speaker reminded members that the Question Time rota for January 2008 to Easter 2008 had been agreed by the Business Committee at its meeting on 20 November 2007.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 8 January 2008 in Room 106, in order to schedule business for the weeks commencing 14 and 21 January 2008.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10 pm.