Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY

BUSINESS COMMITTEE

TUESDAY 15 MAY 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

MINUTES

The meeting began at 12.35 pm

Present:
Ms C Ní Chuilín (acting Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr T Burns
Mr K McCarthy
Dr W McCrea
Mr J O’Dowd
Mr P Weir

Present (secretariat):
Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk

In attendance:
Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker

Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM

1. Introduction

1.1 In welcoming members, the Acting Chairperson explained that the Speaker had nominated Lord Morrow and herself as acting Chairpersons of the Business Committee, in the Speaker’s unavoidable absence, and that they would operate alternately.

1.2 The Acting Chair went on to report that Lord Morrow had submitted an apology for his absence due to a family bereavement. Members expressed their condolences to Lord Morrow.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2007

2.1 The minutes of the meeting of whips held before the Assembly’s first sitting on 8 May were noted.

2.2 The minutes of the meeting held on 8 May were agreed and were signed by the Acting Chairperson.

2.3 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 May were agreed and were signed by the Acting Chairperson.

3. Matter Arising

3.1 Referring to paragraph 2.1 of the minutes of the meeting held on 8 May (declarations of interest), the Acting Chairperson suggested that those members who had not yet done so should complete the form that had been provided during the meeting, and return it to the Business Office.

3.2 Noting paragraph 6.1 of the 8 May minutes (guidance and lead-in times for questions), the Acting Chairperson reported that almost 30 written questions had been tabled on the first day of tabling (14 May). She reminded members of the dates for tabling oral questions to the relevant Ministers for the first two Question Times.

3.3 Referring to paragraph 7.1 of the 8 May minutes (guidance on motions and amendments) the Acting Chairperson reported that the Business Office had distributed an amended version of the guidance which clarified an ambiguity in the timing of a ministerial response during debate (i.e. that the Minister speaks before any of the winds).

3.4 The Acting Chairperson drew members’ attention to paragraph 4.1 of the minutes of the meeting held on 9 May (recess dates) and reminded members that they had sought comparative information on the recess dates of other legislatures. Having considered information on recesses taken by the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons and Dail Eireann, members agreed to adopt the following dates:

3.5 Referring to the paragraph 4.2 of the 9 May minutes (substitutes for Business Committee members), the Acting Chairperson reported on the appointment of substitutes: that Mr Maskey had appointed Mr John O’Dowd, that Lord Morrow had appointed Dr William McCrea that Mr McCarthy had appointed Mr Trevor Lunn, while Dr McDonnell had appointed Mr Thomas Burns.

4. Arrangements for plenary meetings in week commencing 21 May

4.1 Members were advised that there was no business proposed by the Executive. Members were advised that while the first Executive bill was expected on 4 June, and the first Question Time would take place on 11 June, Ministers were, in the meantime, attending debates and responding to motions in the Chamber. Members looked forward to business being brought forward by the Executive over the coming weeks and it was agreed that the Executive should be alerted to this view through the OFMDFM observer.

4.2 Members agreed that the Assembly should sit on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 May. Members agreed to select three private Members’ motions for debate on Monday and four for debate on Tuesday.

4.3 Members considered a number of motions and views were expressed about the need to provide sufficient debating time for the issues, and the number of debates that might involve any one Minister. By consensus, the following motions (in this order) were selected for Monday 21 May:

Processing of planning applications (Mr T Gallagher)

Up to two hours was scheduled for each of the three debates.

4.4 By consensus, the following motions (in this order) were selected for Tuesday 21 May:

Up to one-and-a-half hours was scheduled for each of the four debates.

4.5 Members were advised that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development would be out of the country on the day of the fisheries debate. Members noted this information, but agreed to proceed with the debate. No other ministerial diary conflicts were raised. It was also agreed that arrangements for speaking times for all debates should be the same as those for the debates on 14 and 15 May.

4.6 Members noted that one topic for Adjournment debate had been tabled. Following discussions, it was agreed not to schedule an Adjournment debate in week commencing 21 May.

4.7 Members agreed that a debate on the ‘Free Personal Care’ motion (Mrs C Hanna) should be (provisionally) scheduled as the first debate in week commencing 28 May. Following discussion, members agreed that the Assembly should sit on only one day that week, Tuesday 29 May, in view of the bank holiday on Monday 28 May.

5. Any Other Business

5.1 Members were advised that the newly-returned Member for the East Antrim constituency, Mr Alastair Ross, would take his seat by signing the Roll of Membership at the start of business on Monday 21 May.

5.2 Mr McNarry sought clarification about the convention whereby a Member making his or her ‘maiden speech’ should be heard without interruption, as he felt that a member of his party had not been afforded the same courtesy as others. Dr McCrea reminded Mr McNarry that the convention had two parts, and that a maiden speech should also be non-controversial. The Acting Chairperson undertook to refer Mr McNarry’s concerns to the Speaker.

5.3 Mr Armstrong raised his concerns about Members’ conduct between agenda items, particularly when the Speaker was on his feet in order to introduce the next item of business. The Acting Chairperson undertook to refer the matter to the Speaker.

6. Date and Time of next meeting

6.1 Members agreed to meet at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 22 May in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.25 pm.

William Hay

The Speaker

1. To be confirmed – one other option was also considered (22 March to 6 April)