NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 04 MAY 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Ms C Ní Chuilín (Acting Chairperson)
Mr R Beggs
Mr J Dallat
Mr K McCarthy
Mr C McDevitt
Mr P Maskey
Lord Morrow
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 K Shiels Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 Ms Caral Ní Chuilín advised members that she had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence, and noted apologies from Mr Fred Cobain, Mr Billy Armstrong, Mr Thomas Burns and Mr Pat Ramsey. Ms Ní Chuilín welcomed Mr John Dallat, Mr Conall McDevitt and Mr Roy Beggs to the meeting in place of their party colleagues.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 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 10 May 2010
Committee Business
4.1 Members noted that the following motions had been added to the Draft Order Paper:
- Extension to the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Finance) Bill (NIA 14/09) (Committee for the Environment);
- Prayer of Annulment in relation to S.R. 2010/125 (The Egg and Chicks Regulations) (Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development).
Members agreed to schedule both motions on Monday 10 May. No time limit was set for the ‘Prayer of Annulment’, but it was anticipated that it would not take longer than 30 minutes.
Private Members’ Business
4.2 Mr McDevitt advised that his party wished to change the motion selected at last week’s Business Committee from ‘Water Charges for Domestic Premises’ (T Gallagher, J Dallat) to ‘Legislative Change on Credit Unions (M Durkan, A Maginness, A McDonnell, J Dallat). Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Legislative Change on Credit Unions’ for Monday 10 May.
4.3 Members noted that a cross party motion had been tabled on the ‘ICAN Centre’. Mr Weir proposed that the motion be scheduled for Tuesday 11 May, given the scope for additional business that day. Members agreed to schedule the motion on the ‘ICAN Centre’ on Tuesday 11 May, and that 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.4 Junior Minister Newton advised that there was no additional Executive Business expected. He informed members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Tuesday 11 May, but that all other relevant Ministers were available.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 17 May 2010
Speaker’s Business
5.1 Members agreed to schedule the presentation of a public petition by Mr Mervyn Storey, on the Rebuilding of Whitehouse Primary School, at the start of business on Monday 17 May.
Executive Business
5.2 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Finance and Personnel and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on Monday 17 May, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Forestry Bill (NIA 11/08) was also scheduled.
5.3 Members noted that the only Executive Business scheduled for Tuesday 18 May was Question Time to the Minister for Regional Development.
Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on both Monday 17 May and Tuesday 18 May.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ Business, Sinn Féin had two slots, and the DUP and UUP had one slot each.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘All-Island Economic Regeneration’ (P Butler, J McCann, M McLaughlin);
- ‘Robberies’ (I McCrea, T Clarke);
- ‘Car Insurance Premiums’ (P Butler, M Anderson, B McElduff, F Molloy); and
- ‘Sustainable Development Strategy’ (D Kennedy, D Kinahan, R Beggs).
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the motions on ‘All-Island Economic Regeneration’ and ‘Robberies’ on Monday 17 May, and the motions on ‘Car Insurance Premiums’ and ‘Sustainable Development Strategy’ on Tuesday 18 May. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for all debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 18 May. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
The DUP selected the following topic:
- ‘People with Multiple Sclerosis in East Antrim’ (A Ross).
5.7 Junior Minister Newton informed members that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was unavailable on Tuesday 18 May.
5.8 As a result of the unavailability of the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the DUP opted to select the following Adjournment Debate:
- The provision of a new build for Castle Tower Special School, Ballymena (M Storey).
Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘The provision of a new build for Castle Tower Special School, Ballymena’ (M Storey) on Tuesday 18 May.
6. AOB
6.1 Mr Beggs raised concerns about the number of motions tabled recently to extend the Committee Stages of Bills. It was agreed that the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group was the most appropriate forum to consider the matter.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 18 May 2010 in Room 106.
The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.42pm.