BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY
6 OCTOBER
2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr T Lunn
Lord Morrow
Mr P Maskey
Mr P Ramsey
Present (secretariat):
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Miss C McKay Assistant Clerk of Business
In attendance:
Ms Tara Caul Legal Advisor
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr T Reaney Clerk / Director General
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Mr P Stitt Speaker’s Office
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr F Cobain, Ms C N í Chuil ín, Mr K McCarthy and Mr Peter Weir.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2009 were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 12 October
3.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders for Monday 12 October, to accommodate a VIP visit to ensure that all business can be completed.
3.2 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill on Tuesday 13 October, in addition to the Final Stage of the Rates (Amendment) Bill.
3.3 Following discussion regarding the proposed end time of Assembly Business on 13 October, it was agreed that the Committee Motion and the adjournment debate should be rescheduled to the following week (subject to both Member and Ministerial availability), to accommodate an expected lengthy debate on the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill. It was also agreed to ask the Executive to consider moving the Final Stage of the Rates (Amendment) Bill before the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill.
3.4 Lord Morrow expressed concerns about the volume of business in the Chamber that still consisted of private members’ motions.
4. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 October 2009
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that there was no other Executive Business for Monday 19 October, other than Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister for Regional Development.
4.2 Members noted that there was no other Executive Business for Tuesday 20 October, other than Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Committee Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule the Committee on Procedures motion to debate the report on legislative consent motions on Monday 19 October. Members agreed that up to 1 hour should be allocated to the debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Employment and Learning on Educational Maintenance Allowance, on Tuesday 20 October. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated to the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.5 Members agreed to schedule three Private Members’ motions, one on Monday 19 October and two on Tuesday 20 October.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the UUP, DUP and Sinn Fein each had one slot.
The following motions were proposed:
- Sustainable Development Strategy (Mr D Kennedy, Mr D Kinahan and Mr R Beggs);
- Lisbon Treaty Referendum (Mr S Hamilton, Mr G Campbell); and
- Invest NI (Ms J McCann, Mr W Clarke, Mr M McLaughlin, Ms M Anderson).
4.6 Members agreed to schedule the *‘Sustainable Development Strategy for Monday 19 October and both ‘Lisbon Treaty Referendum’ and ‘Invest NI’ on Tuesday 20 October. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated to the debates, with the usual speaking times.
*Following the meeting, the UUP motion on ‘Sustainable Development Strategy’ scheduled for Monday 19 October, was replaced by the ‘Policy on Personal Protection Weapons’ motion.
4.7 Members agreed to schedule one adjournment topic for Tuesday 20 October. Members proposed a total of two adjournment topics, as follows:
- ‘Economic development in West Belfast’ (Mr A Attwood); and
- ‘Removal of in-patient surgical beds at the Mid Ulster Hospital’ (Mr F Molloy).
4.8 As the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable, Mr F Molloy’s topic was withdrawn.
4.9 Members therefore agreed to schedule the adjournment topic ‘Economic Development in West Belfast’ (Mr A Attwood) for Tuesday 20 October.
5. Any Other Business
Minister Availability
5.1 Mr Pat Ramsey raised concerns in relation to Ministers not attending relevant debates in the Chamber. The Speaker agreed to write to OFMdFM to advise that the matter had been raised in the Business Committee.
VIP Visit
5.2 Members noted that arrangements for U.S. Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to the Assembly on 12 October were still to be finalised. It was agreed that party Whips would be notified as soon as more information became available.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 13 October 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.00pm.
William Hay
The Speaker