BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.40 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr T Lunn
Mr P Maskey
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 J Dallat Deputy Speaker
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. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted an apology from Mr K McCarthy and welcomed Mr T Lunn in his absence.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2009 were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 16 February
Executive Committee Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule the motion to amend the Ministerial Code, tabled by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, for Tuesday 17 February. Members agreed to allocate up to 1 hour for the debate.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 23 February
Executive Committee Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 23 February, members agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Financial Provisions Bill. Members further agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill for Tuesday 24 February.
Private Members’ Business
5.2 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions on Monday 23 February and two private Members’ motions on Tuesday 24 February. Under the system of allocating private Members’ business, the DUP, Sinn F é in, UUP and Alliance had one slot each. The following motions were proposed to fill the four available slots:
- ‘Closure of Residential Care Homes ’ (E Poots, A Ross, P Weir, A Easton)
- ‘Prison Service’ (R McCartney, M Anderson)
- ‘Registration Plates’ (D McNarry, R Beggs)
- ‘ George Best Belfast City Airport’ (B Wilson, D Ford, S Farry)
5.3 The junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, informed members that the Minister of the Environment was not available on either day to respond to the motions on ‘Registration Plates’ and ‘ George Best Belfast City Airport’. The UUP and Alliance members decided to defer selecting a new motion until the next meeting of the Business Committee.
5.4 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Closure of Residential Care Homes’ (E Poots, A Ross, P Weir, A Easton) and ‘Prison Service’ (R McCartney, M Anderson) for Monday 23 February. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.5 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 24 February. Members proposed a total of three adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘Project Kelvin in Foyle ’ (M Anderson)
- ‘Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield’ (T Lunn)
- ‘ North West Gateway Initiative in Foyle’ (M Durkan)
5.6 A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- Project Kelvin in Foyle: 27 votes
- Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield: 9 votes
- North West Gateway Initiative in Foyle: 51 votes
5.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘North West Gateway Initiative in Foyle’ (M Durkan) for Tuesday 24 February.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development seeking to exchange slots with the Minister for Regional Development on the Question Time rota on Monday 30 March and Monday 20 April. The Speaker referred members to a letter from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister seeking to exchange slots with the Minister for Regional Development on the Question Time rota on Monday 2 March and Monday 9 March. Members agreed to both requests.
6.2 The Speaker informed the junior Ministers of his concern regarding the delay in indicating whether OFMDFM Ministers were responding to recent debates on the Civic Forum and the North-South Ministerial Council. The Speaker advised that it was important that the Chair, as well as Whips, were made aware of whether a response was intended by OFMDFM, and if so, which Minister would be responding.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 17 February 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.55 pm.