NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 20 APRIL 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr J McCallister
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P Maskey
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
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
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 Kelly
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Ms C Ní Chuilín, Mr F Cobain and junior Minister Newton.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 13 April 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 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 26 April 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted the possible introduction of both the High Hedges Bill and the
Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill, subject to the Speaker’s clearance,
on Monday 26 April.
4.2 Members noted that, in addition to the Executive Business provisionally scheduled on 13 April, the Consideration Stage of the Forestry Bill had also been scheduled for Tuesday 27 April.
Committee Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule the following Committee motions on Monday 26 April:
- Committee for the Environment motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill;
- Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Debt Relief Bill; and
- Joint motion from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for Finance and Personnel on ‘Special European Union Programmes Body’.
4.4 Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the motion on ‘Special European Union Programmes Body’, with the usual speaking times.
4.5 Members noted that the Committee on Standards and Privileges motion, provisionally agreed on 13 April, had been postponed until further notice.
Private Members’ Business
4.6 Members agreed to schedule the introduction of Mr John McCallister’s Caravans Bill on Monday 26 April.
4.7 Having deferred their choice of a Private Members’ motion at the last meeting, the DUP selected the motion on ‘Funding for Army Cadets’ (J Shannon, Lord Morrow). Members agreed to schedule the motion for debate on Monday 26 April, allocating 1 hour 30 minutes to the debate with the usual times.
4.8 Junior Minister Kelly informed members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was now available to respond to the adjournment debate on ‘The Future of Maternity Services at Lagan Valley Hospital’ scheduled for Tuesday 27 April.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 3 May 2010
5.1 Members agreed that there would be no sitting on Monday 3 May because of the Bank Holiday but that there would be a sitting on Tuesday 4 May.
5.2 The Speaker drew attention to the scant attendance in the Chamber on both days this week and to the fact that 9 questions had been withdrawn during Question Time on Monday 19 April. He asked for the cooperation of Whips in ensuring, as far as possible, appropriate attendance at the sitting on Tuesday 4 May.
Executive Business
5.3 Members noted that three Question Time slots were scheduled for Tuesday 4 May, as previously agreed by the Business Committee:
- Culture, Arts and Leisure;
- Education;
- Employment and Learning.
5.4 Members noted that there was no additional Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 4 May.
Committee Business
5.5 Members noted that there was no Committee Business requested for Tuesday 4 May.
Private Members’ Business
5.6 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Tuesday 4 May.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, the DUP and UUP had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘Over 60s Travel Pass’ (A Easton, J Craig); and
- ‘Tidy Northern Ireland Day’ (R Beggs [R], D Kinahan).
5.7 Members agreed to schedule the motions ‘Over 60s Travel Pass’ and ‘Tidy Northern Ireland Day’ on Tuesday 4 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for both debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.8 Members agreed that it would be possible to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 4 May. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin selected the following topic:
- ‘Primary Health Care Provision in Carrickmore’ (B McElduff).
5.9 Members agreed to schedule this topic for the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 4 May.
5.10 Junior Minister Kelly informed Members that all relevant Ministers were available, other than the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Sinn Féin opted to keep their selected adjournment topic despite the Minister’s unavailability.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 Members noted a letter, enclosed in their Business Packs, to the Speaker from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures regarding Question Time slots and time limits. Members specifically noted that:
- There would be two Question Time slots on a Tuesday from September, requiring a change to Standing Orders before the summer recess; and
- Time limits would be imposed for responses at Question Time, allowing two minutes to reply to a lead question and one minute to reply to each supplementary.
6.2 The Speaker advised members that they would be updated on any further developments, and commended the useful work that had been carried out by the Committee on Procedures.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 27 April 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.46pm.