NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 18 MAY 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr P Ramsey
Mr P Weir
In attendance:
Mr T Reaney, Clerk of the Assembly / Director General
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:
Junior Minister Kelly
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Junior Minister Newton.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 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 24 May 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted the possible introduction of both the Dogs (Amendment) Bill and the Commissioner for Older People Bill on Monday 24 May, subject to the Speaker’s clearance.
4.2 Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Employment Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 25 May. Members also noted the possible introduction of the Student Loans (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday 25 May, subject to the Speaker’s clearance.
4.3 Junior Minister Kelly advised that there was no additional Executive Business expected.
Committee Business
4.4 Members noted the following additions to the draft Order Paper for Monday 24 May:
- Committee motion on the Extension of the Committee Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill (Social Development),
- Three SDLP motions to change Standing and Statutory Committee memberships and to fill a vacancy on the Assembly Commission.
Members agreed to schedule all motions for Monday 24 May.
Private Members’ Business
4.5 Having deferred their choice of a Private Members’ motion during the last meeting, members noted that the SDLP had selected the motion on ‘Pre-School Places’. Members agreed to schedule the motion for debate on Tuesday 25 May with the usual times.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 31 May 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members agreed that there would be no sitting on Monday 31 May, because of the Bank Holiday, but that there would be a sitting on Tuesday 1 June.
5.2 Members noted the possible introduction of the Energy Bill on Tuesday 1 June, subject to the Speaker’s clearance.
5.3 Members noted that the Second Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 1 June.
5.4 Members noted that three Question Time slots were scheduled for Tuesday 1 June, as previously agreed by the Business Committee:
- Agriculture and Rural Development;
- Culture, Arts and Leisure; and
- Education.
Committee Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Committee on Standards and Privileges on its ‘ Report on the Inquiry on Enforcing the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members and the Appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards’. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
5.6 Members agreed that there was no scope to schedule any private members’ motions, but that an Adjournment Debate was possible on Tuesday 1 June. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the UUP.
The UUP selected the following topic:
- ‘Eel Fishing in Lough Erne’ (T Elliott).
5.7 Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘Eel Fishing in Lough Erne’ (T Elliott) on Tuesday 1 June.
5.8 Junior Minister Kelly informed members that the relevant Minister was available to respond.
6. AOB
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 25 May 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.40pm.