NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.30 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
Ms C N í Chuil ín
Mr J O’Dowd
Mr P Weir
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 T Caul Senior Legal Adviser
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Observers:
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from both Mr Pat Ramsey and Mr Paul Maskey.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 17 November 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 30 November 2009
Executive Business
3.1 Members noted that there was a possibility of the introduction of the following two bills on Monday 30 November, subject to the Speaker’s clearance:
- The Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill; and
- Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
3.2 Members noted there was no additional Executive business for Tuesday 1 December.
General Issues
3.3 On commenting on the Order Paper for Monday 30 November, Lord Morrow expressed concern that the sitting may go on until late in the evening in the event that additional Executive business, such as Ministerial Statements, were scheduled. Lord Morrow questioned whether any Private Members’ motions should be scheduled, to avoid such a scenario. He commented that Private Members’ motions should not have been agreed for Monday 23 November as the Further Consideration Stage of the Department of Justice bill had been scheduled.
3.4 The Speaker reminded Lord Morrow that the Order Paper for 23 November had provisionally been agreed at the Business Committee the previous week, at which stage no amendments had been tabled for the Department of Justice Bill, and that the Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions at that time. The Speaker advised that the amendments had been tabled after the last meeting of the Business Committee.
3.5 Other members were content with the proposed scheduling of Private Members’ motions on Monday 30 November, and members noted that there were no Private Members’ motions scheduled for 1 December, due to the scheduling of the Final Stage of the Department of Justice Bill.
4. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 7 December 2009
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the only Executive Business on Monday 7 December was Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and to the Minister of the Environment.
4.2 Members noted that in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Finance and Personnel on Tuesday 8 December, the following Executive Business was scheduled:
- Final Stage of the Diseases of Animals Bill;
- Accelerated Passage Motion: Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill;
- Second Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill; and
- Second Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
4.3 Following a request from the Executive, it was agreed that the Final Stage of the Diseases of Animals Bill would be the first item of business that day.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule the Environment Committee’s report on its inquiry into climate change.
Mr McCarthy suggested that the debate should last for two hours, as its remit covered more than one committee. Following discussion, members noted that the Environment Committee was content that up to 1 hour 30 minutes would be sufficient for the debate, and agreed this allocation, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.5 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 7 December. It was agreed that no Private Members’ motions would be scheduled for Tuesday 8 December, in case additional Executive business was notified in advance of Christmas recess.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, DUP and Sinn F éin had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- Foster Care (Mr J Shannon, Lord Morrow); and
- Child Protection Systems (Ms S Ramsey, Mrs M O’Neill).
4.6 Junior Ministers Newton and Kelly confirmed that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Monday 7 December. Both parties, however, chose to keep their selected motions as they wished to have them debated, despite the absence of a Ministerial response.
Members agreed to schedule the ‘Foster Care’ and ‘Child Protection Systems’ motions on Monday 7 December. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for these debates, with the usual speaking times.
5. AOB
5.1 The Speaker reminded Members that it was the role of the Executive to inform the Business Committee of Ministerial availability, so that decisions could be made about scheduling business. He indicated that, generally, he would discourage Whips from becoming involved in these matters, even for the best of reasons, after decisions had been made by the committee on the basis of information provided by the Executive.
5.2 The Speaker referred to the ruling he had made in the Chamber that morning on the standards he expected in debate, a copy of which had been distributed at the meeting. He sought the cooperation of Whips in managing business in the Chamber and maintaining party discipline. A discussion ensued, including on the role and status of Whips. The Speaker assured members that he was conscious of the issues about which they were concerned and assured them of his continuing support both inside and outside the Chamber. However, he was clear that order was ultimately a matter for the Chair and cautioned that he would not tolerate breaches of the standards he had set down.
5.3 Mr McCarthy raised the issue of a party colleague who had not been called to ask a question following a Ministerial Statement because he had been delayed attending the Chamber. He suggested that there should be a pause between Ministerial Statements to allow Members to get into the Chamber. The Speaker reminded members that the Chair generally tried to be helpful to Members, where appropriate, but that there was a very clear convention in relation to attendance for statements. The Speaker suggested that, when unavoidably delayed, the Member (or Whip) should approach the table to seek the Chair’s view on whether, or at what point, he or she might be called. The Speaker, however, stated that he would strongly discourage Members from arriving late into the Chamber.
5.4 Lord Morrow expressed concern that Whips might be expected to ensure that Ministers are in the Chamber for relevant items of business. It was clarified that this was the responsibility of the Executive and that, where necessary, the Business Office contacted OFMDFM directly.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 1 December 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1pm.