BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY
16 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
Ms C N í Chuil ín
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
Mrs M Mageean Business Office
Observers:
Mr G Kelly Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from junior Minister Donaldson and Mr B Armstrong.
2. Mi nutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 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 22 June
Executive Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Diseases of Animals Bill for Monday 22 June. The Speaker advised members that there was a possibility that two First Stages of Bills may be introduced on Monday 22 June, subject to the appropriate clearance. Junior Minister Kelly advised members that there was a possibility that the Minister for Regional Development would make a Statement on Monday 22 June.
Committee Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule a business motion to suspend Standing Orders on Monday 22 June in the event that business would continue after 7pm. Members agreed that the names of Mr F Cobain and Mr P Ramsey would appear alongside the motion. Members further agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by Mr F Cobain, on Committee Membership change for Monday 22 June.
4.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development, on ‘Egan Contractors’ for Monday 22 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.4 Mr P Weir suggested that a Private Members’ motion be scheduled for Tuesday 23 June. After discussion, members agreed to the request. Business was considered under the system of allocating private Members’ business, with the DUP, having the next available slot. The following motion was proposed by Mr P Weir:
- PSNI Full-time Reserve (P Weir, T Buchanan, I Paisley Jnr, J Spratt).
Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘PSNI Full-time Reserve’ (P Weir, T Buchanan, I Paisley Jnr, J Spratt) for Tuesday 23 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
5. Provisional arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 29 June 2009
Executive Business
5.1 Aside from Question Time on Monday 29 June to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of the Environment, members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill.
5.2 In addition to Question Time on Tuesday 30 June to the Minister of Finance and Personnel, members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of the Diseases of Animals Bill and the Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. Members further agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Minister of Finance and Personnel, on ‘Draft Lands Tribunal (Salaries) Order (NI) 2009’.
5.3 Members were reminded that should the two First Stages of Bills be moved on Monday 22 June, it is then envisaged that the Second Stages would proceed on Tuesday 30 June.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, on ‘Bonuses to Senior Civil Servants’; and a motion, tabled by the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Private Security Industry Order, for Monday 29 June. 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 a number of motions, tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, to amend Standing Orders for Monday 29 June. There was no total time limit allocated to these motions, but it was anticipated that all the items could be concluded in around an hour.
Private Members’ business
5.6 There was no Private Members’ business scheduled for either Monday 29 or Tuesday 30 June. Members agreed to revisit this at next week’s meeting once the position on additional Executive business was clear.
6. Continuation of Whips’ Lists for Supplementaries at Question Time
6.1 The Speaker proposed that from September there would be a three month trial period where no supplementary lists would be used for Question Time. Members agreed to the proposal.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 The Speaker informed members that he would meet with Whips during the first week after the summer recess to discuss a number of matters.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 23 June 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.50 pm.