NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.02 pm
Present:
Mr J Dallat
Mr P Maskey
Mr J McCallister
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Weir
In attendance:
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Miss C McKay Assistant Clerk of Business
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Mr T Reaney Clerk of the Assembly/Director General
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr A Rogers OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Lord Morrow, Mr Pat Ramsey, Mr Fred Cobain and Mr Billy Armstrong.
1.2 The Speaker advised members that Mr John Dallat had been appointed Mr Ramsey’s substitute for today’s meeting. Members also noted that the Speaker had received a letter from Mr Kieran McCarthy appointing Ms Anna Lo as his substitute on the Committee.
2. Mi nutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2010
2.1 Members noted that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March would be agreed at the next Business Committee meeting to be held on 13 April.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 12 April 2010
Business Motion
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a business motion to suspend Standing Orders on Monday 12 April, to allow the sitting to go beyond 7pm, if required. Members noted that one name from each party is now included on the Order Paper.
Executive Business
4.2 In addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of the Environment, members noted that the motion to determine the number and functions of Ministerial Offices was also scheduled for Monday 12 April.
4.3 Members agreed to allocate 1 hour for the debate on the determination of Ministerial Offices (Number and Functions), including 10 minutes to move the motion and 10 minutes to wind. Members agreed that all other contributions to the debate should be limited to 5 minutes.
4.4 Members noted the following Executive Business which had been scheduled for Tuesday 13 April:
- Second Stage – Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill;
- Motion to affirm the Horse Racing (Charges on Bookmakers) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
Assembly Business
4.5 Subsequent to the determination of the number and functions of Ministerial Offices, members agreed to schedule the following Assembly Business on Monday 12 April:
- Filling the Office of Minister of Justice; and
- Appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of Statutory Committees.
Committee Business
4.6 Members agreed to schedule a Committee Motion on the Establishment of Statutory Committees on Monday 12 April. Members noted that as this was a business motion there would be no debate.
4.7 Members also agreed to schedule a Committee Motion on Tuesday 13 April to approve the membership of Statutory Committees.
4.8 The Speaker advised members that Whips had already been briefed about business on Monday 12 April and were content about –
- The procedure for filling the office of Minister of Justice;
- The business motion to establish the statutory committees; and
- The nomination process for the appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy
Chairpersons of statutory committees (running of d’Hondt).
4.9 Members were further advised that Whips would need to meet after the House rises on Monday to finalise the allocation of seats on Committees. Following a suggestion by Ms Ni Chuilín, members agreed that Whips should meet before 12 April, to discuss appointments of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons and the allocation of seats on Committees. It was agreed that officials would arrange and facilitate this meeting.
Private Members’ Business
4.10 Members agreed that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 13 April. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin selected the following topic:
- Bloody Sunday Families’ Concerns over Publication of the Saville Inquiry Report (R McCartney).
4.11 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 13 April.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 April 2010
5.1 Members noted that there was no Executive Business scheduled other than Question Time. Members, therefore, agreed to consider business for week commencing 19 April at the next Business Committee meeting. Members noted that business for week commencing 26 April would also be agreed provisionally at that meeting.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members noted that the normal Business Committee meeting will take place at 12.30pm on Tuesday 13 April, and that Whips would have separate meetings to discuss the appointment of Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons and membership of Statutory Committees, the latter being finalised in a meeting after the House rises on Monday 12 April.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.14pm.