BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 20 May 2008
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
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 K Shiels Business Office
Mr H Widdis Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker welcomed Mr N Jackson to the meeting in place of Ms R Flanagan and noted apologies from the junior Minister, Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, and Lord Morrow.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 13 May were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 6.1 of the minutes (issues relating to Question Time) and informed members that the previous paper would be re-tabled for further consideration at the meeting on Tuesday 27 May.
4. Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting in week commencing 26 May 2008
Executive Business – week commencing 26 May 2008
4.1 Members were referred to the draft Order Paper for Tuesday 27 May. Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Mesothelioma, etc,. Bill and the related accelerated passage motion for Tuesday 27 May.
Committee Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule a business motion relating to a Standing Committee Membership change for Tuesday 27 May.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 2 June
5.1 Members were referred to the provisional Order Papers for Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 June, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 2 June
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Monday 2 June, members agreed that the Consideration Stage of the Mesothelioma, etc,. Bill and the Consideration Stage of the Charities Bill would be scheduled for Tuesday 3 June. Members further agreed to schedule a Take Note debate on the Strategic Outline Case for Rapid Transit, from the Minister for Regional Development, for Tuesday 3 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule two Committee motions for Monday 2 June. Members agreed that the first motion, relating to a Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Local Postal Services, should be allocated up to 2 hours for debate. Members further agreed that the second motion, relating to a Report of the Committee on Procedures into Committee Systems and Structures, should be allocated up to 1 hour 30 minutes for debate.
Private Members’ business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule one private Members’ motion on Monday 2 June and one adjournment topic on Tuesday 3 June. Members proposed a total of five motions:
- ‘Not-for-Profit Mortgage Rescue Scheme’ (J Craig, G Campbell, M McIlveen, D Hilditch)
- ‘Plastic Bag Levy’ (D McKay, C Boylan)
- ‘Parking Permits for Residents’ (A Attwood, C Hanna, A McDonnell)
- ‘Development of the Maze Site’ (D McNarry, B McCrea, D Kennedy, R Beggs)
- ‘Human Rights in China’ (A Lo, D Kennedy, C Hanna, N Long, D Ford, S Farry, K McCarthy, S Neeson, T Lunn)
5.5 Mr D McNarry withdrew his proposal (Development of the Maze Site) and members proceeded to vote on the remaining four motions as follows:
- Not-for-Profit Mortgage Rescue Scheme: 53 votes
- Plastic Bag Levy: 43 votes
- Parking Permits for Residents: 43 votes
- Human Rights in China: 9 votes
5.6 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Not-for-Profit Mortgage Rescue Scheme’ (J Craig, G Campbell, M McIlveen, D Hilditch) for Monday 2 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate.
5.7 Members proposed two adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Proposed Chicken Waste Plant in Glenavy’ (P Butler)
- ‘Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield’ (T Lunn)
5.8 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Proposed Chicken Waste Plant in Glenavy: 78 votes
- Proposed John Lewis development near Sprucefield: 9 votes
5.9 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Proposed Chicken Waste Plant in Glenavy’ (P Butler) for Tuesday 3 June.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker referred members to a paper relating to ‘Matters of the Day’ and recorded his thanks to the Committee on Procedures for their work on the new Standing Order 23A. The Speaker reminded members that his ruling on how ‘Matters of the Day’ will be dealt with allows for discretion on his part to adopt alternative approaches, as appropriate, in particular circumstances. It was agreed unanimously that it would be helpful for the ruling to stipulate that requests under Standing Order 23A should be brought to the Speaker via Party Whips. The Speaker undertook to include this requirement in his ruling.
6.2 The Speaker referred members to an advice paper relating to the Committee on Procedures proposals for amendments to Standing Order 50. Members noted the contents of the paper, agreed its recommendations and agreed that the Speaker should write to the Chair of the Committee on Procedures to set out the Business Committee’s agreed response.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 27 May in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.05 pm.