NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2010
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.42 pm
Present:
Lord Morrow (Acting Chairperson)
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Ramsey
In attendance:
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Miss C McKay Assistant Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr D Martin Clerk Assistant
Mr K Shiels 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
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 Lord Morrow advised members that he had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence, and noted apologies from Mr Kieran McCarthy, Mr Billy Armstrong, Mr Peter Weir, Mr Thomas Burns, and junior Ministers Kelly and Newton.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March were agreed and signed by the Acting Chairperson.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 March 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the expected Budget-related Executive Business had been confirmed for both days. Members noted the following additions to the Order Papers:
Monday 22 March
- Motion to Suspend Standing Orders to allow business to run past 7pm;
- Statement on the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Transport Sector format;
- First Stage – Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill;
- Supply Resolution motion relating to the Budget (No. 2) Bill;
- First Stage – Budget (No. 2) Bill;
- Motion to affirm the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Worker’s Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 (moved from Tuesday 23 March);
- Motion to suspend Standing Orders to remove the need for the Further Consideration Stage and to allow the Budget Bill to pass in less than 10 days; and
- Second Stage – Budget (No. 2) Bill.
Tuesday 23 March
- Consideration Stage – Budget (No. 2) Bill;
- First Stage – Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill;
- Second Stage – Debt Relief Bill;
- Motion to approve the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (NI) 2010; and
- Final Stage – Budget (No. 2) Bill.
4.2 Members noted that the Supply Resolution motion related only to the Department of Justice, OFMDFM and the Public Prosecution Service, and agreed to allocate 2 hours to this debate, including a total of 30 minutes 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 5 minutes.
4.3 Members noted that no time limits should apply to debates on either the Second Stage or Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. However, following a discussion, Whips agreed to limit the number of speakers to not more than two per party for the Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill. Members also notedthe limited timescale, and scope, for tabling amendments for the Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill.
Committee Business
4.4 Members noted that the Committee on Procedures had tabled 17 motions to ‘Amend Standing Orders’, which had previously been agreed for debate on Monday 22 March. Members agreed that one hour should be sufficient for these motions, with 15 minutes each for proposing and winding the main body of motions, and five minutes for all other contributions.
Private Members’ Business
4.5 Members agreed that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 23 March. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
DUP selected the following topic:
- The Multi-element Improvement Scheme for Bungalows for Pensioners and People with Disabilities in the North Down Area (Mr A Easton).
4.6 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 23 March.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 12 April 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the only Executive Business scheduled for Monday 12 April was Question Time to OFMDFM and the Minister of the Environment.
5.2 Members noted that in addition to Question Time to the Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Second Stage of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill was also scheduled for Tuesday 13 April.
5.3 Mr Jackson advised members that he could not confirm any additional Executive Business at this time.
Committee Business
5.4 Members noted that there was no Committee Business scheduled, but that the Business Committee would be involved in bringing a motion to establish all the statutory committees, including the Justice Committee, followed by a further motion to approve the membership of statutory committees after d’Hondt had been run for the appointment of Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons. Members noted that these items of business would follow on from the anticipated Executive motion on the determination of Ministerial offices, and the filling of the office of Minister of Justice.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed that they would not schedule any private Members’ business until the next meeting, when the position on Executive Business might be clearer.
6. Any Other Business
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 23 March 2010 in Room 106.
The Lord Morrow brought the meeting to a close at 12.52pm.