BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2008
IN ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 1.00 pm
Present:
Lord Morrow (Acting Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McGlone
Mr D McNarry
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Ms L Gordon 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
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Introduction
1.1 Lord Morrow advised members that he had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence and noted an apology from the junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April were agreed and were signed by the Acting Chairperson.
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Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
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Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting on 6 May 2008
Executive Business – 6 May 2008
4.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Paper for Tuesday 6 May. It was noted that the motion to approve the draft General Register Office (Fees) Order, originally scheduled for Tuesday 6 May, would now be taken on Monday 12 May.
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Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 12 May
5.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Papers for Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 May, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 12 May
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Monday 12 May, members agreed that the Further Consideration Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill would be scheduled for debate, along with the Final Stage of the Local Government (Boundaries) Bill. Members further agreed to schedule the Final Stage of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill for debate on Tuesday 13 May.5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion to affirm a Statutory Rule (Insolvency (Disqualification from Office: General) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008), and further agreed to reschedule a motion to approve a Statutory Rule (Draft General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008) for Monday 12 May. Members allocated no specific time limit to these debates, but anticipated they would last no longer than 15 minutes.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, on Education and the Economy, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Education, for debate on Monday 12 May. Members allocated up to 2 hours for this debate.5.5 Members further agreed to schedule a Committee motion, on the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, for debate on Tuesday 13 May. Members allocated up to 2 hours 30 minutes for this debate.
Private Members’ business
5.6 Members agreed to schedule one private Members’ motion and one adjournment topic on Tuesday 13 May. Members proposed a total of four motions:
- ‘Sustainable Energy’ (J McCann, P Maskey)
- ‘Post-Primary Transfer’ (B McCrea, K Robinson, R Beggs, D Kennedy)
- ‘Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus’ (P Ramsey, M Durkan, M Bradley)
- ‘St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday’ (K McCarthy)
5.7 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Sustainable Energy: 36 votes
- Post-Primary Transfer: 53 votes
- Student Numbers – University of Ulster, Magee Campus: 16 votes
- St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday: 36 votes
5.8 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Post-Primary Transfer’ (B McCrea, K Robinson, R Beggs, D Kennedy) for Tuesday 13 May. Members agreed that up to 2 hours should be allocated for this debate.
5.9 Members proposed a total of three adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne’ ( S Neeson)
- ‘Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen’ (T Gallagher)
- ‘Waste management in East Derry/Londonderry’ (F Brolly).
5.10 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Proposed closure of St. Comgall’s College, Larne: 9 votes
- Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen: 34 votes
- Waste management in East Derry/Londonderry: 27 votes
5.11 The junior Minister, Mr Gerry Kelly, indicated that the Minister for Regional Development would not be available on Tuesday 13 May to respond to the adjournment topic on ‘Public car parking spaces in Enniskillen’. Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Waste management in East Derry/Londonderry’ (F Brolly) for Tuesday 13 May.
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Any Other Business
6.1 There was no other business.
- Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 6 May in Room 106.
The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.20 pm.