NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 9 MARCH 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
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
Mr P Ramsey
Ms S Ramsey
Mr P Weir
In attendance:
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Miss C McKay Assistant Clerk of Business
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 M Mageean Clerk of Business
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr J Dallat Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Ms Carál Ní Chuilín and junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 2 March were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 15 March 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the only additional Executive Business scheduled was a Statement from the Minister of the Environment regarding a public consultation exercise on preparing a road safety strategy, scheduled for Monday 15 March.
Committee Business
4.2 Members noted that there was no additional Committee Business requested for Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 March.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members noted that Sinn Féin had changed the title of its motion, scheduled for Monday 15 March, from ‘Hospitality Industry’ to ‘Creation of a Café Culture’.
4.4 Mr Pat Ramsey advised that he wished to change the SDLP Adjournment Debate selected at last week’s Business Committee from ‘The Urgent Need to Upgrade the Downpatrick to Newry (B8) Route’ (PJ Bradley) to ‘Roof Extensions in North Belfast’ (A Maginness). Members agreed to schedule the debate on ‘Roof Extensions in North Belfast’ for Tuesday 16 March.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 March 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the only Executive Business scheduled for Monday 22 March was Question Time to OFMDFM and the Minister for Employment and Learning.
5.2 Members noted that in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the following Executive Business was also scheduled for Tuesday 23 March:
- Second Stage – Debt Relief Bill (NIA 9/09); and
- Motion on Pneumoconiosis, etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Payment on Claims) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
5.3 Junior Minister Newton advised members that, subject to the motion on the Devolution of Policing and Justice being agreed today, the following related Executive Motions would be likely to be scheduled for week commencing 22 March:
- Motions to Suspend Standing Orders (Monday 22 March);
- Supply Resolution (Monday 22 March); and
- First and Second Stage of Budget Bill (subject to the Speaker’s agreement to its introduction, and the Committee of Finance and Personnel’s agreement to accelerated passage) (Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 March).
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule the 17 motions to Amend Standing Orders from the Committee on Procedures on Monday 22 March, deferring the decision to set time limits for these motions until the Business Committee meeting on Tuesday 16 March, when the position on Executive Business is clearer.
5.5 Members also agreed to schedule the Audit Committee motion on the ‘Salary for the Holder for the Office of Comptroller and Auditor General’. Members noted that the Business Committee does not normally allocate time limits for these motions.
Private Members’ Business
5.6 Members agreed to defer scheduling any Private Members’ Business until Tuesday 16 March, when the position on Executive Business is clearer.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker advised Members that he will be absent from the Business Committee meeting on Tuesday 16 March, and that Lord Morrow will act as Chairperson under the usual arrangements.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 16 March 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.42pm.