BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2008
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.45 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chair)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McGlone
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Ms C N í Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Mr A Murphy Assistant Clerk of Business
In attendance:
Ms I Fleming Business Office
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Mr H Widdis Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Rt Hon J Donaldson Junior Minister
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2008
1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Referring to paragraph 7.1 of the minutes (proposed amendments to Standing Order on Ministerial Statements) the Speaker drew members’ attention to his reply to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures. Members noted the contents of the letter.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 31 March 2008
3.1 Members were referred to draft Order Papers for Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 31 March
3.2 The Speaker informed members that two additional items of Executive business had been notified for Monday 31 March. Members agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill, from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, along with the motion to allow this Bill to proceed under accelerated passage, for Monday 31 March.
3.3 Members further agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill for Tuesday 1 April.
Committee Business
3.4 The Speaker informed members that two additional items of Committee business had been notified for Monday 31 March. Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Chairperson of the Audit Committee on ‘Salary for holder of office of the Comptroller and Auditor General’, along with the motion to change a membership on the Committee for Education, for Monday 31 March.
4. Private Members’ business
4.1 The Speaker informed members that a Private Member’s Bill (Carer’s Allowance Bill) sponsored by Mr D McNarry had been notified for scheduling. Members agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Bill for Monday 31 March.
4.2 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions on Monday 31 March and two private Members’ motions on Tuesday 1 April. Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 1 April.
4.3 Members proposed a total of four motions as follows:
- ‘Identifiable Markings on Carrier Bags’ (S Ramsey, J McCann)
- ‘Forkhill Military Site’ ( Lord Morrow, W McCrea, T Clarke)
- ‘International Development’ (C Hanna, J Wells, D Ford, D Kennedy)
- ‘Varney Review’ (S Farry, S Neeson, T Lunn)
4.4 Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Varney Review’ (S Farry, S Neeson, T Lunn) and the motion on ‘Forkhill Military Site’ ( Lord Morrow, W McCrea, T Clarke) for Monday 31 March. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.
4.5 Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Identifiable Markings on Carrier Bags’ (S Ramsey, J McCann) and the motion on ‘International Development’ (C Hanna, J Wells, D Ford, D Kennedy) for Tuesday 1 April. Members further agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate.
4.6 Members proposed a total of three adjournment topics, as follows:
- ‘Neighbourhood Renewal in Foyle’ (M Durkan)
- ‘The provision of social care centres in the Newry and Armagh constituency’ (M Brady)
- ‘Redevelopment of the lower Newtownards road, Belfast’ (R Newton)
4.7 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Neighbourhood Renewal in Foyle: 16 votes
- The provision of social care centres in the Newry and Armagh constituency: 27 votes
- Redevelopment of the lower Newtownards road, Belfast: 44 votes
4.8 Members therefore agreed to schedule the Adjournment topic on ‘Redevelopment of the lower Newtownards road, Belfast’ (R Newton) for Tuesday 1 April.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 7 April 2008
5.1 Members agreed to consider the business for Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 April at the next meeting of the Business Committee on Tuesday 1 April 2008.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 Ms C N í Chuil ín raised an issue relating to an announcement from the Minister for Social Development regarding neighbourhood renewal and sought clarification from the Speaker as to why the Minister did not make her announcement on the matter in the House. The Speaker advised that it was a matter for the Minister and the Executive as to when and how Ministerial announcements are made public.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 1 April in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10 pm.