BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 20 JANUARY 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.45 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
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
Ms K Duddy Legal Services
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr P Maskey and Mr P McGlone.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2009 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Mr F Cobain raised the issue of the adjournment topic he had proposed on the closure of Maghera High School, which he subsequently withdrew following advice from Junior Minister Donaldson, that the school had closed. Junior Minister Kelly read a statement from Junior Minister Donaldson outlining his explanation for the advice he gave to the Committee. After discussion, and clarification that the school was still open, the Speaker recommended that when selecting an adjournment topic later in the meeting, members might consider favourably Mr Armstrong’s topic relating to the closure of Maghera High School.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 26 January
Executive Committee Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders, tabled by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, for Monday 26 January.
Committee Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule a business motion, relating to a Statutory Committee membership change, for Monday 26 January. Members further agreed to schedule a take-note motion, from the Committee for Finance and Personnel, on the Strategic Stocktake Statement, for Tuesday 27 January. Members agreed that up to 2 hours should be allocated for this debate.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 2 February
Executive Committee Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 2 February, members agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, to affirm the Rates (Social Sector Value) (Amendment) (NI) Regulations 2009.
Committee Business
5.3 Members were informed of the possibility of a motion from the Committee for Education for Monday 2 February. Members agreed to schedule a motion, from the Committee for Employment and Learning, on the ‘Report on the Review of Teacher Education’ for Tuesday 3 February. Members agreed to allocate up to 1 hour 30 minutes for this debate.
Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions on Monday 2 February and two private Members’ motions on Tuesday 3 February. Under the system of allocating private Members’ business, the DUP had two available slots, the SDLP one and Sinn F éin one. The following motions were proposed to fill the four available slots:
- ‘North-South Ministerial Council’ (D Simpson, W McCrea)
- ‘Civic Forum’ (N McCausland, S Moutray)
- ‘Programme for Government and Budget’ (M Durkan, A McDonnell, D Kelly, D O’Loan)
- ‘Women’s Organisations’ (M Anderson, J McCann)
5.5 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘North-South Ministerial Council’ (D Simpson, W McCrea) and ‘Programme for Government and Budget’ (M Durkan, A McDonnell, D Kelly, D O’Loan) for Monday 2 February; and the motions on ‘Civic Forum’ (N McCausland, S Moutray) and ‘Women’s Organisations’ (M Anderson, J McCann) for Tuesday 3 February. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members further agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 3 February. Mr F Cobain proposed the adjournment topic on ‘The Closure of Maghera High School’. There were no further proposals. Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘The Closure of Maghera High School’ (B Armstrong) for Tuesday 3 February.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure seeking to exchange slots with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the Question Time rota on Monday 9 and Monday 16 February. Members agreed to the request.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 27 January 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1 pm.