BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER
2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Ramsey
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: Mr Hugh Widdis Director of Legal Services
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Paul Stitt Speaker’s Office
Observers: Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Newton
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr PJ Bradley, Mr B Armstrong and junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 6 October 2009 and 8 October 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 6 October and 8 October were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 In relation to paragraph 2.2 of the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October, Mr P Ramsey requested that a review be undertaken of the security arrangements for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit on 12 October. This review should include an examination of the extent to which a consistent approach had been taken to those matters about which the committee had received assurances at the meeting.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 October 2009
Executive Business
4.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure on Tuesday 20 October, members noted that there was a Ministerial Statement scheduled from the Minister for Employment and Learning on Programme Led Apprenticeships, subject to formal notification to the Speaker.
Private Members’ Business
4.2 Members noted that the Private Members’ motion originally selected by the UUP for Monday 19 October had been replaced by one on ‘Policy on Personal Protection Weapons’.
4.3 The Speaker asked members for their cooperation in ensuring that motions agreed by the Business Committee would only be changed after the meeting in exceptional circumstances.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 2 November 2009
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that there was no Executive Business scheduled for Monday 2 November, other than Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning.
5.2 Members noted that in addition to Question Time on Tuesday 3 November to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the Consideration Stage of the Financial Provisions Bill was scheduled.
5.3 Members noted that the Speaker had received an indication from the Minister of Education that the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill might be rescheduled for Tuesday 3 November, but were advised that it was not yet on the Executive’s ‘Final Notice of Forthcoming Assembly Business’ provided each week to the committee.
5.4 Lord Morrow recorded his party’s dissent in relation to any proposal to reschedule the Education Bill for 3 November, given that the same circumstances looked likely to apply to that date as had led to it not being moved earlier in the day. Members noted that the Business Committee could again be faced with approving an Order Paper in advance of knowing the outcome of any consideration of the Minister’s proposed amendments to the Bill by the Executive at its next scheduled meeting on 22 October.
5.5 Following further discussion, it was agreed that no Private Members’ Business would be scheduled for Tuesday 3 November. This decision would be reviewed at the next Business Committee meeting on 20 October, when more information might be available about the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill.
5.6 Junior Minister Newton was asked to raise with Executive colleagues the serious concerns expressed about the impact on Assembly business on 3 November of any proposal to reschedule the Consideration Stage of the Education Bill in advance of clearance by the Executive.
5.7 It was also agreed that a briefing paper would be provided for members on the Executive’s process for scheduling Executive Business, including whether or not protocols exist in relation to Executive clearance of certain items and, if so, what relationship exists between those protocols and the appearance of items on the Executive’s ‘Final Notice of Forthcoming Assembly Business’.
Committee Business
5.8 Members agreed to schedule three Committee motions, as follows:
- Extension of the Committee Stage of the Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Bill (Committee for Regional Development);
- Report on Town Centre Regeneration (Committee for Social Development); and
- Efficiency and Contingency Deficit Proposals in the Health and Social Care Trusts (Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety).
5.9 Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the motions from both the Committee for Social Development and the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, with the usual speaking times.
5.10 Members noted that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would be unavailable to respond to the debate on either 2 or 3 November. Following a request by Ms Ní Chuilín, members noted that the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety was also unavailable on 19 and 20 October, but that his availability for 9 and 10 November was not yet known.
5.11 The Speaker acknowledged members’ concerns that earlier difficulties with ministerial availability appeared to be re-emerging and undertook to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister in light of previous commitments given to the committee.
5.12 Members therefore agreed that the Health Committee should be advised of the position; that the Minister’s availability for 9 and 10 November should be clarified; and that the clerk would confirm at next week’s meeting whether or not the committee wished to proceed with its motion on 2 November. In the event that the motion was to be postponed Private Members’ Business might be scheduled in its place.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 20 October 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.