NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2009
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.34 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
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:
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Mr T Reaney Clerk of the Assembly/ Director
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers: Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr Fred Cobain.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2009
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 1 December were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 11 January 2010
Executive Business
3.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister for Regional Development, members noted that two legislative consent motions were scheduled for Monday 11 January, the first on the Video Recordings Bill and the second on the Digital Economy Bill.
3.2 Members noted that the Second Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill and the Consideration Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 12 January, in addition to Question Time to the Minister for Social Development.
3.3 Members noted that it was expected that the Speaker would shortly receive notification from the Executive that two Ministerial Statements would be delivered to the Assembly on Tuesday 12 January, one on the December Fisheries Council and the other on the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Inland Waterways Sectoral format. Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton also informed the Committee that additional statements were likely on Monday 11 January.
3.4 Lord Morrow queried the scheduling of the Ministerial Statements for Tuesday 12 January before formal notification had been received by the Speaker. The Speaker advised that it was in order to do so where he had been alerted to an intention to make a statement prior to formal notification being received.
Committee Business
3.5 Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on ‘The Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority’s Overview Report’ on Monday 11 January. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
3.6 Members agreed to schedule two motions, as business motions, appointing Mr Billy Leonard to both statutory and standing committees on Monday 11 January.
Private Members’ Business
3.7 Members’ agreed that no Private Members’ motions should be scheduled for either Monday 11 or Tuesday 12 January, due to the likelihood of additional Ministerial Statements.
3.8 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton confirmed that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Tuesday 12 January.
3.9 Members agreed to schedule an adjournment debate on Tuesday 12 January. Under the system for allocating adjournment debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
The DUP selected the following adjournment debate:
- Extending the natural gas network in the East Antrim constituency (Mr A Ross).
Members agreed to schedule the adjournment debate on ‘Extending the natural gas network in the East Antrim constituency’ (Mr A Ross) on Tuesday 12 January.
4. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 18 January 2010
Plenary Business
4.1 In addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill was scheduled for Monday 18 January.
4.2 Members noted that the Final Stage of the Pensions Regulator Tribunal (Transfer of Functions) Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 19 January, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 18 January and two motions on Tuesday 19 January. Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton confirmed that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on either day.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, UUP, Alliance, DUP and Sinn Féin had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- Compulsory Voting (Mr D Kinahan);
- Crisis in the Executive (Mr T Lunn, Mr D Ford, Mrs N Long, Dr S Farry);
- Warm Homes Scheme (Mr S Hamilton, Mr D Hilditch, Mr J Craig, Mr A Easton); and
- Landlord Registration (Mr A Maskey, Ms S Ramsey, Mr F McCann).
4.4 Members agreed to schedule the ‘Compulsory Voting’ and ‘Crisis in the Executive’ motions for Monday 18 January, and the ‘Warm Homes Scheme’ and ‘Landlord Registration’ motions for Tuesday 19 January. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
4.5 Members agreed to schedule an adjournment debate on Tuesday 19 January. Under the system for allocating adjournment debates, the selection lay with the SDLP.
The SDLP selected the following adjournment debate:
- Project Kelvin in the Constituency of Newry and Armagh (Mr D Bradley).
Members agreed to schedule the adjournment debate on ‘Project Kelvin in the Constituency of Newry and Armagh’ (Mr D Bradley) on Tuesday 19 January.
4.6 Members noted that there would be no Ministerial response to the ‘Compulsory Voting’ motion and that it would be a matter for the Executive to decide whether or not to respond to the ‘Crisis in the Executive’ motion. Junior Ministers Newton and Kelly confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the remaining motions and adjournment debate.
4.7 Mr K McCarthy recorded his view that it would be a matter of concern if the Executive decided not to respond to the motion on ‘Crisis in the Executive’.
5. AOB
5.1 The Speaker informed members that the junior Ministers had written confirming their agreement to the proposal that the Business Committee should only schedule Executive business that is notified via the ‘Final Notice’. For any additional business, the ‘Final Notice’ will be amended, subject to the junior Ministers’ approval, and notified to the Business Office by noon on Tuesday, in advance of the Business Committee meeting. The process would ensure that Executive Business would only come before the committee for scheduling via OFMDFM and not via any other route.
5.2 Lord Morrow queried whether the process would guarantee that an item of business appearing on the Order Paper would definitely be moved in the Chamber. The Speaker advised that this was not the purpose for which the process was put in place. It would remain a matter for the Minister or Member in charge of an item of business to decide whether or not to move it. However, it was the Speaker’s view that, if an item is not to be moved, a brief explanation should be provided to the Assembly.
5.3 At the request of members, it was agreed that a copy of the junior Ministers’ letter to the Speaker would be distributed to Whips.
6. Date and Time of next meeting
6.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 12 January 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.55pm.