BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY
9 JUNE
2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.45pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
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 T Caul Legal Services
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Mr H Widdis Legal Services
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Rt Hon J Donaldson Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from junior Minister Kelly, Mr B Armstrong and Ms C N í Chuil í n.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 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 15 June
4.1 There were no changes to the order papers for Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 June.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 June 2009
Executive Business
5.1 Aside from Question Time on Monday 22 June to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning, there was no other business notified for that day.
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Tuesday 23 June to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill and the Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. Members further agreed to schedule two motions, tabled by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on ‘Insolvency (Fees) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2009’ and on ‘Insolvency (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009’.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, on the ‘Report on the NI Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members’. Members further agreed to schedule a take-note motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the impact of the economic downturn on businesses in Northern Ireland. Members agreed that up to 2 hours and 1 hour 30 minutes, respectively, should be allocated for each debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule one* private Members’ motion on Monday 22 June. Business was considered under the system of allocating private Members’ business, with Sinn F é in, having the available slot. The following motion was proposed:
- ‘Criminal Justice Inspectorate’s Report’ (R McCartney, M Anderson, C N í Chuil í n)
*Members were advised that there was a possibility of a committee motion, from the Committee for Employment and Learning, for Monday 22 June and that confirmation would be given at the next meeting. Members therefore agreed they would only select one private Members’ motion in the interim.
5.5 Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Criminal Justice Inspectorate’s Report’ (R McCartney, M Anderson, C N í Chuil í n) for Monday 22 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 23 June.
Mr P Ramsey proposed the following adjournment topic:
- ‘Assessment for, and Delivery of, Special Education in Foyle Constituency’ (P Ramsey)
5.7 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Assessment for, and Delivery of, Special Education in Foyle Constituency’ (P Ramsey) for Tuesday 23 June.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker advised members that he would consider the issue of moving away from using supplementary question lists during Question Time at the next meeting.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 16 June 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.55 pm.