BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2008
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
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
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Observers:
Mr D McClarty 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 November 2008
1.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 6.1 of the minutes (speaking time issue raised by Lord Morrow - Committee on Procedures motion) and advised members that, having considered the matter, the problem seemed to relate more to committee report motions. The Speaker recommended that as a general approach, motions relating to committee reports should have up to 15 minutes allocated for moving and 15 minutes for winding. The Speaker also advised members that should any further time be required for moving or winding the motion, this would be at the discretion of the Speaker/Deputy Speaker, but that the Table should be alerted in good time. Members agreed to the proposals.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 17 November
Private Members’ Business
3.1 Due to a difficulty with Ministerial availability, members agreed to move the motion on the ‘Varney II Report’ to Monday 17 November and the adjournment topic on ‘Sexual assault in South Belfast’ to Tuesday 18 November.
3.2 The junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, informed members that there was a possibility, subject to Executive agreement, that the first stage of the Pensions (No. 2) Bill would be scheduled for Monday 17 November. The Speaker reminded members that there was precedent for a first stage of a bill being moved without it appearing on the order paper.
4. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 24 November
Executive Business – week commencing 24 November 2008
4.1 Other than Question Time on Monday 24 November, there was no further Executive Business notified for Monday 24 or Tuesday 25 November. The junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, informed Members that should the first stage of the Pensions (No. 2) Bill be moved on Monday 17 November, the second stage, along with the accelerated passage motion, would then be scheduled for Tuesday 25 November.
Committee Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule the Committee motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, on ‘Hospital Car Parking Charges’ for Tuesday 25 November. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule: two private Members’ motions on Monday 24 November and three private Members’ motions on Tuesday 25 November. Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Monday 24 November. Members proposed a total of five motions as follows:
- ‘ Ulster Television (UTV)’ (B McElduff, F Brolly, R McCartney)
- ‘Education Welfare Officers’ (J McCallister, B McCrea, R Beggs)
- ‘Construction Industry’ (A McDonnell, P McGlone, D O’Loan)
- ‘Carbon Neutrality of the Northern Ireland Assembly’ (J Wells)
- ‘Voluntary Sector’ (A Lo, N Long, K McCarthy, T Lunn)
4.4 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Ulster Television (UTV)’ (B McElduff, F Brolly, R McCartney) and ‘Education Welfare Officers’ (J McCallister, B McCrea, R Beggs) for Monday 24 November; and the motions on ‘Construction Industry’ (A McDonnell, P McGlone, D O’Loan), ‘Carbon Neutrality of the Northern Ireland Assembly’ (J Wells) and ‘Voluntary Sector’ (A Lo, N Long, K McCarthy, T Lunn) for Tuesday 25 November. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.5 Members proposed a total of three adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Greenhaw Lodge Daycare Centre in Derry/Londonderry’ (M Anderson)
- ‘Children’s Homes in Larne’ (A Ross)
- ‘The Redeployment of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs from Derry/Londonderry’ (M Bradley)
4.6 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Greenhaw Lodge Daycare Centre in Derry/Londonderry: 36 votes
- Children’s Homes in Larne: 53 votes
- The Redeployment of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs from Derry/Londonderry: 16 votes
4.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Children’s Homes in Larne’ (A Ross) for Monday 24 November.
5. Any Other Business
5.1 The Speaker informed members of a request from the First Minister and deputy First Minister seeking approval to change their Question Time slot, with the Minister for Regional Development, from Monday 1 December to Monday 8 December. Members agreed to the request.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 18 November 2008 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.55 pm.