BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY
26 MAY
2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 1.05pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Ramsey
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
Mrs F McKay, Business Office
Mr K Shiels, Business Office
Mr H Widdis, Legal Services
Observers:
Mr D McClarty, 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 P Maskey.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 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 1 June
Executive Committee Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Minister for Social Development, to approve the Social Security (Incapacity Benefit) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 for Tuesday 2 June.
Private Members’ Business
4.2 Members were informed that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would not be available to respond to the motion on ‘Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority’ on Tuesday 2 June.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 8 June 2009
Executive Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time on Monday 8 June to the Minister of Health Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister for Regional Development, members agreed to schedule the motion, tabled by the Minister for Social Development, to approve the Social Security Benefits Up-Rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2009.
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Tuesday 9 June to the Minister for Social Development, members agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule the motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning, on ‘Availability of Discounted College Courses for Older People’. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two private Members’ motions on Monday 8 June and one private Members’ motion and one adjournment topic on Tuesday 9 June. Business was considered under the system of allocating private Members’ business, with the DUP, UUP and SDLP having one slot each. The following motions were proposed to fill the three available slots:
- ‘Diabetes Service Framework’ (J Shannon, C Hanna, S Neeson, K Robinson)
- ‘Decline in Bee Population’ (L Cree, T Elliott)
- ‘Housing Budget’ (D O’Loan, T Burns, D Kelly, P Ramsey)
5.5 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motions on ‘Diabetes Service Framework’ (J Shannon, C Hanna, S Neeson, K Robinson) and ‘Decline in Bee Population’ (L Cree, T Elliott) for Monday 8 June and the motion on ‘Housing Budget’ (D O’Loan, T Burns, D Kelly, P Ramsey) for Tuesday 9 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic on Tuesday 9 June. Mr P Ramsey proposed the adjournment topic on ‘Social Housing in Foyle’ (M Durkan).
5.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Social Housing in Foyle’ (M Durkan) for Tuesday 9 June.
6. Schedule of Changes to Procedures on Assembly Questions
6.1 The Speaker referred members to the paper on the schedule of changes to procedures on Assembly questions. Members werecontent with the proposed changes.
6.2 The Speaker asked Whips if they would be in favour of ending the practice of using a list of names for supplementary questions during Question Time as the practice of Members rising to their feet had been in place for some time. Members agreed to consult with colleagues and to bring Party views back to the Committee as soon as possible.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 The Speaker asked Whips to ensure that their Members and support staff completed the Members’ Survey questionnaire. Recent pressures on Members were noted and it was agreed that the deadline for completing the questionnaire would be extended until Friday 12 June.
7.2 Ms C Ní Chuilin raised the issue of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety not being available to respond to the motion on ‘Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority’ on Tuesday 2 June and asked that her Party’s disappointment be recorded.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 2 June 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.20 pm.