BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.40 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr T Burns
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
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Observers: Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Rt Hon J Donaldson Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted an apology from the junior Minister, Mr G Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 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 23 February
Private Members’ Business
4.1 To fill the two vacant slots for private members’ business on Tuesday 24 February, deferred from the previous week, the UUP proposed the motion on ‘Small and Medium Sized Enterprises’ (L Cree, A McFarland); and the Alliance Party proposed the motion on ‘George Best Belfast City Airport’ (B Wilson, D Ford, S Farry). Members agreed to the proposals and agreed to allocate up to 1 hour 30 minutes for each debate.
4.2 Sinn Féin requested that the motion on ‘Prison Service’, scheduled for Monday 23 February, be replaced with the motion on ‘Project Kelvin’. Lord Morrow indicated that he believed the wording of the motion to be factually incorrect. The Speaker asked Ms C Ní Chuilín to check the position with the tablers of the motion and to advise any necessary changes to the Business Office. Members agreed that the motion could be placed on the order paper
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 2 March
Executive Committee Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 2 March, members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill. Members further agreed to schedule a motion to approve the Draft Rates (Maximum Capital Value) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 and a motion to affirm the Rates (Regional Rates) Order (NI) 2009. Members agreed to schedule a legislative consent motion, tabled by the Minister of the Environment, on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
5.2 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Financial Provisions Bill and the Final Stage of the Budget Bill for Tuesday 3 March.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion, from the Committee for Social Development, on its ‘Report on the Consultation on the Implementation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy’ for Monday 2 March. Members agreed to allocate up to 2 hours for this debate.
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion, from the Assembly Commission, on the ‘Assembly Commission Engagement Strategy’ for Tuesday 3 March. Members agreed to allocate up to 1 hour 30 minutes for this debate.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule one private Members’ motion on Tuesday 3 March. Under the system of allocating private Members’ business it was the turn of the DUP to fill the available slot. The DUP proposed the motion on ‘Members’ Rights’ (P Robinson, Lord Morrow, W McCrea, I Paisley Jnr) for Tuesday 3 March. Members agreed to allocate up to 1 hour 30 minutes for this debate.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 3 March. Members proposed a total of four adjournment topics as follows:
- ‘The Provision of Hospital and Health Care Facilities in Mid Ulster’ (F Molloy)
- ‘Cherry Lodge Respite Facility, Randalstown’ (W McCrea)
- ‘Non Acute Hospital Provision in Armagh City’ (D Bradley)
- ‘Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield’ (T Lunn)
5.7 The junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, informed members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would not be in a position to respond to the adjournment topic on ‘Cherry Lodge Respite Facility, Randalstown’. Lord Morrow agreed to withdraw the adjournment topic. A vote being called, the votes of party delegations were cast as follows:
- The Provision of Hospital and Health Care Facilities in Mid Ulster: 78 votes
- Non Acute Hospital Provision in Armagh City: 16 votes
- Proposed John Lewis Development near Sprucefield: 9 votes
5.8 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘The Provision of Hospital and Health Care Facilities in Mid Ulster’ (F Molloy) for Tuesday 3 March.
6. Recess Dates 2009-2010 Session
6.1 The Speaker referred members to the paper relating to the proposed recess dates for 2009-2010. Members were content with the proposals set out in the paper.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 The Speaker advised members that a change was required to the deadline for tabling oral questions for week commencing 16 March due to St Patrick’s Day falling on a Tuesday. Members agreed to move the deadline to 1pm on Monday 16 March.
7.2 The Speaker asked the junior Minister for an update on the need for a plenary sitting on Wednesday 18 March. The junior Minister, Rt Hon J Donaldson, advised that, at this point, all the anticipated Executive business could be dealt with on Monday 16 March. Further updates would be provided, if necessary.
7.3 The Speaker advised members that at next week’s meeting the system for selecting private Members’ motions would be reviewed, following the end of the 3-month trial. Members were asked to consider the current procedures with their party colleagues prior to the meeting and, in particular, to consider whether there would be merit in selecting adjournment topics on the same basis.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 24 February 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1 pm.