NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2010
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
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:
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Ms T Caul Senior Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Ms R Flanagan OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Lord Morrow, Mr Fred Cobain, junior Minister Kelly and junior Minister Newton.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26 January were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker expressed his thanks and appreciation to Whips for their co-operation on Monday 1 February regarding Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Members noted that the rescheduling would be dealt with under the next agenda item.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 8 February 2010
Business Motion
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to Suspend Standing Order 20(1)(a) to
allow Question Time to run to 4.00pm on Monday 8 February.
Executive Business
4.2 Members agreed to reschedule Question Time to OFMDFM on Monday 8 February 2010 at 2.30pm, in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister for Regional Development. Members noted that all Ministers were content with the proposed arrangements.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule the introduction of the Private Member’s Bill ‘Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill’ for Tuesday 9 February.
4.4 Following a request from Ms C N í Chuil ín, members agreed to replace Sinn F éin’s motion on ‘Unemployment Figures’ with a motion on ‘Peri-natal Psychiatric Services’ for Monday 8 February.
4.5 OFMDFM confirmed the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s availability on Monday 8 February.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 15 February 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that in addition to Question Time to OFMDFM and the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, the following Executive Business was scheduled for Monday 15 February:
- Motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow the Assembly to sit beyond
7pm, if necessary;
- First Stage of the Budget Bill, subject to the Speaker’s approval; and
- Further Consideration Stage of the Local Government (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Bill.
5.2 Members also noted that Executive motions on ‘Supply Estimates 2009-10 and the Vote on Account 2010-11’ were scheduled for Monday 15 February. Members agreed that a single debate would take place on both motions, in line with previous arrangements. Members also agreed to allocate 4 hours 30 minutes to the debate, including a total of one hour for the Minister of Finance and Personnel to divide between proposing and winding the debate, at his discretion. Members agreed that all other contributions to the debate would be limited to 10 minutes.
5.3 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, members noted that the following Executive business was scheduled for Tuesday 16 February:
- Second Stage – Budget Bill;
- Consideration Stage – Housing (Amendment) Bill; and
- Final Stage – Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Bill.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Regional Development to extend the Committee Stage of the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on Monday 15 February 2010.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed that there was no scope to schedule Private Members’ Business on either Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 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 9 February 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.43pm.