NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.30 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr F Cobain
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P Maskey
Ms C N í Chuil ín
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:
Ms T Caul Senior Legal Adviser
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Observers:
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from both junior Ministers Kelly and Newton.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 10 November 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 10 November were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 23 November 2009
Executive Business
3.1 Members noted that a motion to suspend Standing Orders was scheduled for Monday 23 November, to allow business to continue after 7pm if necessary.
4. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 30 November 2009
Executive Business
4.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning on Monday 30 November, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Diseases of Animals Bill was also scheduled.
4.2 Members noted that both the Final Stage of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill and the Department of Justice Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 1 December, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Committee Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule the Assembly Commission motion on its report on ‘Pay, Pensions and Financial Support for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly’ on Monday 30 November.
Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 30 November and none on Tuesday 1 December, as the Final Stage of the Department of Justice Bill had been scheduled.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, Sinn F éin and the SDLP had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- Child Protection Systems (Ms S Ramsey, Mrs M O’Neill); and
- The Bain Review (Mr P Ramsey, Mr D O’Loan, Mrs D Kelly).
4.5 The OFMDFM representative confirmed that neither the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety nor the Minister of Finance and Personnel were available on Monday 30 November, but that all other Ministers were. Sinn F éin therefore proposed the motion ‘Employment and Support Allowance’ (Mr M Brady, Ms C N í Chuil ín, Mr F McCann) for debate in place of the motion on ‘Child Protection Systems’. The SDLP agreed to confirm their motion with the Business Office after the Business Committee meeting.
Members agreed to schedule the ‘Employment and Support Allowance’ motion and one other motion for Monday 30 November. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for these debates, with the usual speaking times.
4.6 Ms C N í Chuil ín expressed her concern that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was frequently unavailable to respond in the Chamber, thereby impacting on parties’ choice of motions. The Speaker noted the concerns expressed and reminded members that he had raised the issue of Ministerial availability with the Executive on several occasions and, most recently, when he met with the junior Ministers.
4.7 Members noted that a cross-party motion, ‘Neglect of Children and Young People’, had been tabled. Whips agreed to consider scheduling the motion at a suitable opportunity, and when the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would be available.
4.8 Mr McCarthy reminded the committee that a further cross-party motion existed, on ‘Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’. The Speaker advised that these motions could be put forward at any time and did not impact on the party rota system.
4.9 The Speaker asked the OFMDFM representative to take the concerns of the Business Committee back to the Executive regarding the frequent unavailability of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and the consequential difficulties this posed for the scheduling of motions.
5. Question Time Rota from January to Easter Recess
5.1 The rota was agreed.
6. Role of Whips
6.1 The Speaker advised members that he intended to write to party leaders in the near future about proposals relating to the role of Whips.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 24 November 2009 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.45pm.