BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 3 JUNE 2008
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 1.05 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McGlone
Mr D McNarry
Lord Morrow
Ms C N í Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Mrs C Devon Interim Clerk/Director General
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
Mrs M Mageean 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 27 May 2008
1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 27 May were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
2. Matters Arising
The Speaker referred members to paragraph 6.1 of the minutes (additional Plenary sitting on 5 June) and informed members that a start time for the Plenary was still to be finalised. After general discussion the Speaker advised members that they would be alerted to the time of the Plenary as soon as it became available.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 9 June 2008
Executive Business – week commencing 9 June 2008
Members were referred to the draft Order Papers for Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 June. Members were content that a Ministerial Statement would be scheduled for Monday 9 June, from the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, on the BIC Inclusion Sectoral meeting and that another Ministerial Statement would be scheduled for Tuesday 10 June, from the Minister of Education, on the NSMC Education Sectoral meeting. Members agreed to schedule the Accelerated passage motion and Second Stage of the Child Maintenance Bill for Tuesday 10 June.
Committee Business – week commencing 9 June 2008
3.2 Members agreed to schedule the motion, from the Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment, to extend the Committee Stage of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill for Tuesday 10 June.
4. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meeting in week commencing 16 June
4.1 The Speaker informed members that there would be no Plenary on Monday 16 June due to the proposed US Presidential visit to Parliament Buildings.
Members were therefore referred to the provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 17 June, along with a notice of forthcoming Executive business.
Executive Business – week commencing 16 June
4.2 In addition to Question Time on Tuesday 17 June, members were content that a Ministerial Statement would be scheduled, from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on the NSMC Trade and Business Development Sectoral meeting. Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill, the Consideration Stage of the Child Maintenance Bill and the Further Consideration Stage of the Charities Bill for Tuesday 17 June.
4.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion to approve a Statutory Rule (Draft Companies (Public Sector Audit) Order (NI) 2008), and further agreed to schedule a motion to affirm a Statutory Rule (Donaghadee (Harbour Area) Order (NI) 2008) for Tuesday 17 June.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule a Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, on Child Poverty in Northern Ireland, for Tuesday 17 June. Members agreed that up to 2 hours 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate.
Private Members’ business
4.5 Members agreed to schedule no Private Members’ business for Tuesday 17 June.
5. Question Time Rota for September – December 2008
5.1 The Speaker referred members to the paper relating to the proposed Question Time Rota for September through to December 2008. Members were content with the proposal set out in the paper.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker informed members that he had received a valid petition to refer a Ministerial decision to the Executive Committee, under section 28B of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and that he had met or was due to meet Party Whips to discuss the issues surrounding the petition.
6.2 The Speaker informed members that he had received correspondence from the Alliance Party in relation to proposed changes to oral question procedures. Members noted the contents of the letter, and that it would be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures for consideration as part of the forthcoming review of Assembly Questions.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet during the lunchtime suspension at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 10 June in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.25 pm.
William Hay
The Speaker