BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY
23 JUNE
2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 1pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C N í Chuil ín
Mr J O’Dowd
Mr P Ramsey
Mr P Weir
Present (secretariat):
Mr T Reaney Clerk/Director General
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Mr A Murphy Assistant Clerk of Business
In attendance:
Mr H Widdis Legal Services
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Business Office
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Rt Hon J Donaldson Junior Minister
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from junior Minister Kelly and Mr B Armstrong and welcomed Mr J O’Dowd to the meeting in place of Mr P Maskey. Members were advised that Mr John McCallister had been appointed as Mr Armstrong’s substitute on the Committee, in accordance with SO 55(6).
2. Mi nutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 16 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 29 June
Executive Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Employment Bill and the Second Stage of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill for Tuesday 30 June. The Speaker advised members that the Minister of the Environment intends to make a Statement on Tuesday 30 June on the NSMC Transport Sectoral meeting.
Committee Business
4.2 The Speaker advised members that the SDLP had tabled two motions to change Statutory and Standing Committee memberships and a motion to make an appointment to the Assembly Commission. Members agreed to schedule these motions for Monday 29 June.
4.3 Mr P Weir advised members that the DUP may wish to table a number of motions to change Statutory and Standing Committee memberships. Members agreed, in principle, that should the DUP table these motions, they could be added to an appropriate Order Paper for the week beginning Monday 29 June.
Private Members’ Business
4.4 Ms C N í Chuil ín suggested that a Private Members’ motion be scheduled for Monday 29 June. After discussion, members agreed to the request. Business was considered under the system of allocating private Members’ business, with Sinn F éin, having the next available slot. The following motion was proposed by Ms C N í Chuil ín:
- Racist and Sectarian Attacks (A Maskey, J McCann, M Anderson).
Members therefore agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Racist and Sectarian Attacks’ (A Maskey, J McCann, M Anderson) for Monday 29 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.5 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic for Monday 29 June. One adjournment topic was proposed by Mr P Ramsey entitled ‘The impact of the falling maintenance budget on rural roads in Fermanagh and South Tyrone’ (T Gallagher). Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic for Monday 29 June.
5. Question Time Rota from September to Christmas 2009
5.1 Members agreed the draft Question Time rota from September up to Christmas recess 2009.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker reminded members that this was the last meeting of the Committee until after the Summer recess and thanked them for their help and co-operation during the session.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 8 September 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10 pm.