Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 13 APRIL 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The meeting began at 12.37 pm

Present: The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr F Cobain
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Maskey
Mr P 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 K Shiels Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services

Observers: Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM

1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 There were no apologies.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 23 and 25 March 2010

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 23 March were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

2.2 The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March were agreed and signed by the Speaker.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Membership of Statutory Committees

4.1. Members noted that the Membership of Statutory Committees document (NIA 51/09/10R), outlining the membership of all Statutory Committees, had been tabled for their approval.

4.2 Members approved the document and noted that it would be issued to all

MLAs before the motion is formally moved in the Assembly.

4.3 Whips from the DUP, Sinn Féin and UUP advised that there were a number of consequential changes to be made to memberships of Standing Committees. It was agreed that the necessary motions would be tabled by 5pm to allow them to be scheduled on the Order Paper for 19 April 2010.

5. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 19 April 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 First Stage of the Local Government (Finance) Bill would be scheduled on Monday 19 April, subject to the Speaker’s clearance.

5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business was also scheduled for Tuesday 20 April:

5.3 Members agreed to allocate 2 hours to the Finance and Personnel motion on the Revised Programme of Expenditure Proposals for 2010-11, including 10 minutes for the Minister of Finance and Personnel to propose the motion and 20 minutes to wind. Members agreed that all other contributions to the debate would be limited to 5 minutes.

5.4 Members noted that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development intended to make two oral statements on Monday 19 April in relation to two recent NSMC meetings, but that notification had not yet been received by the Speaker.

Committee Business

5.5 Members agreed to schedule the Committee for Employment and Learning Motion on the ‘Get on Board’ Programme, on Tuesday 20 April. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate, with the usual speaking times.

Private Members’ Business

5.6 Members agreed to schedule a public petition by Mr Dominic Bradley on Traffic Matters at Camlough Road and Millvale Road Junction, Newry, at the start of business on Monday 19 April.

5.7 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 19 April, and none on Tuesday 20 April.

Members were reminded that Sinn Fein did not move their motion on ‘Creating a Café Culture Society’ on Monday 15 March, to ensure that the DRD Ministerial Statement did not impact on the motion on ‘Funding of Preparatory Departments’. Members, therefore, agreed to reschedule this motion on Monday 19 April.

Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the Alliance Party had one slot.

The following motion was proposed:

5.8 Members agreed to schedule the ‘St Patrick’s Day Public Holiday’ motion on Monday 19 April.

5.9 Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for both debates, with the usual speaking times.

5.10 Members noted that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 20 April. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the UUP.

The UUP selected the following topic:

5.11 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 20 April.

5.12 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton informed Members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Tuesday 20 April.

6. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 26 April 2010
Executive Business

6.1 In addition to Question Time to OFMDFM and the Minister of Justice, members noted that the First Stage of the Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill would be scheduled, subject to the Speaker’s clearance, on Monday 26 April.

6.2 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, members noted that the Second Stage of the Local Government (Finance) Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 27 April.

Committee Business

6.3 Members agreed to schedule the Committee on Standards and Privileges motion on its report on the inquiry on enforcing the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members, and the appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards on Tuesday 27 April. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate, with the usual speaking times.

Private Members’ Business

6.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 26 April, and one on Tuesday 27 April.

Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the SDLP, DUP and Sinn Féin had one slot each.

The following motions were proposed:

The DUP deferred their selection, and undertook to inform the clerk as soon as possible.

6.5 Members agreed to schedule the ‘Development of a Jobs Strategy’ on Monday 26 April, and the ‘Quangos and Arm’s Length Bodies of Government Departments’ on Tuesday 27 April. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for both debates, with the usual speaking times.

6.6 Members noted that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 27 April. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.

The DUP selected the following topic:

6.7 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 27 April.

6.8 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton informed members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on 27 April. However, the DUP opted to keep their selected adjournment topic despite the Minister’s unavailability. Members noted that all other relevant Ministers were available.

7. Any Other Business
8. Date and Time of next meeting

8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 20 April 2010 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.58pm.

William Hay
The Speaker