NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 26 JANUARY 2010
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.30 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P Ramsey
Ms S 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 T Reaney Clerk of the Assembly/ Director General
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
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 Ms C N í Chuil ín and junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Mr Paul Maskey confirmed that he would not move his Adjournment Debate on ‘West Belfast Tourism Podcast Initiative’ on Tuesday 26 January.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 1 February 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Junior Minister Newton confirmed there was no additional Executive Business for that week, other than the items on the Provisional Order Paper.
Committee Business
4.2 Members agreed to schedule a motion to change DUP membership on Statutory Committees on Monday 1 February.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members noted that the confirmed Adjournment Debate for Tuesday 2 February was DUP’s ‘Withdrawal of the Easibus Service for the Elderly and Disabled in Bangor’, as the Minister for Regional Development was now available to respond.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 8 February 2010
Executive Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister for Regional Development, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Bill was scheduled for Monday 8 February.
5.2 Members noted that the only Executive Business for Tuesday 9 February was Question Time to the Minister for Social Development.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on ‘McElhill / McGovern Tragedy in Omagh’ on Monday 8 February. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two Committee motions on Tuesday 9 February. In relation to the Take Note motion from the Committee for Finance and Personnel on ‘Review of 2010/11 Spending Plans’, members agreed that up to 2 hours would be allocated for this debate, with 15 minutes to propose and wind. In relation to the Committee for the Environment’s motion on ‘Funding of the Lough Neagh and Lower Bann Advisory Committees’, members noted the Committee’s request for 2 hours for the debate. Some doubt was expressed about whether 2 hours would be needed, but the request was not opposed. Therefore, members agreed to allocate 2 hours for this debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 8 February and an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 9 February.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the SDLP and Sinn F éin had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- Schools Estate (Mr D Bradley, Mr D O’Loan); and
- Unemployment Figures (Ms J McCann, Mr P Butler, Mr M McLaughlin).
5.6 Members agreed to schedule the ‘Schools Estate’ and ‘Unemployment Figures’ motions for Monday 8 February. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.7 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 9 February. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the Sinn F éin.
Sinn F éin selected the following Adjournment Debate:
- Effect of Illegal Drugs in Ballymena and the Wider North Antrim Area (Mr D McKay).
5.8 Junior Minister Newton confirmed that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Tuesday 9 February, but that all other Ministers were available to respond.
5.9 As a result of the unavailability of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Sinn F éin opted to select the following Adjournment Debate:
- The Importance of the Ulster Canal Project to the Coleraine and Limavady Council Areas and Beyond (Mr B Leonard).
Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘The Importance of the Ulster Canal Project to the Coleraine and Limavady Council Areas and Beyond’ (Mr B Leonard) on Tuesday 9 February.
6. AOB
6.1 There was no other business.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 2 February 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.40pm.