BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2008
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McGlone
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Mr T Reaney Clerk/Director General
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
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 Services
Mrs M Mageean Business Office
Observers:
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
-
Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted an apology from the junior Minister Rt Hon J Donaldson.
-
Minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2008
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
-
Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 3.3 of the minutes (motions of a similar nature) and directed members to a report provided in the packs. Members noted the contents of the report.
3.2 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 5.4 of the minutes (Whips’ response to proposal on speaking times where two or more amendments are selected) and sought the views of members. Mr P Weir proposed that the Committee provide the Speaker with the flexibility to add up to 15 extra minutes to the time agreed for a debate where two or more amendments have been selected. Mr P McGlone supported the proposed approach. After general discussion, during which concerns were expressed about the need to guard against abuse of such an arrangement, it was agreed that, when two or more amendments are selected, an additional 15 minutes would be added to the time agreed for the debate. It was further agreed to review the operation of the arrangement at a later date.
-
Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 13 October
Committee Business
4.1 Members agreed that the motion to annul a Statutory Rule, tabled by the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, would be scheduled for Monday 13 October. Members allocated no specific time limit to the debate, but anticipated that it would last no longer than 20 minutes. [Note: This motion was subsequently withdrawn by the Committee.]
-
Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 20 October
Executive Business – week commencing 20 October 2008
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 20 October, m embers agreed to schedule two motions to affirm Statutory Rules - one relating to the Road Traffic (Traffic Wardens) (Revocation) Order (NI) 2008, and the other relating to the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 - for Tuesday 21 October. Members allocated no specific time limit to these debates.
Committee Business
5.2 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Social Development, on the ‘Report from the Committee for Social Development on the Administration of Disability Living Allowance’, for Monday 20 October. Members agreed that up to 2 hours should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule: two private Members’ motions on Monday 20 October and three private Members’ motions on Tuesday 21 October. Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 21 October. Members proposed a total of five motions as follows:
- ‘Strategy to Promote Safety in Communities’ (G Adams, D McKay)
- ‘Removal of the Over Thirty Month Status’ ( E Poots, T Clarke)
- ‘Location of Public Sector Jobs’ (T Gallagher, P McGlone, PJ Bradley)
- ‘Supporting People Fund’ (A Lo)
- ‘Financial Advice for Older People’ (F Cobain, J McCallister)
5.4 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Strategy to Promote Safety in Communities’ (G Adams, D McKay) and ‘Removal of the Over Thirty Month Status’ (E Poots, T Clarke) for Monday 20 October; and the motions on ‘Location of Public Sector Jobs’ (T Gallagher, P McGlone, PJ Bradley), ‘Supporting People Fund’ (A Lo) and ‘Financial Advice for Older People’ (F Cobain, J McCallister) for Tuesday 21 October. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.5 Members proposed a total of two adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Tourist potential of Lough Neagh’ (F Molloy)
- ‘The Magilligan Greencastle Car Ferry’ (J Dallat)
5.6 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Tourist potential of Lough Neagh: 27 votes
- The Magilligan Greencastle Car Ferry: 25 votes
5.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Tourist potential of Lough Neagh’ (F Molloy) for Tuesday 21 October.
-
Any Other Business
6.1 Mr F Cobain raised an issue regarding the proposals to change the selection of private Members’ business. The Speaker informed members that the full schedule of meetings with Whips had not yet been concluded and advised that, when completed, a paper would be brought before the committee for consideration.
-
Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 14 October 2008 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1 pm.