NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 01 JUNE 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
Ms C Ní Chuilín
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 K Shiels Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr J Dallat
Mr F Molloy
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr A Rogers OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 No apologies were recorded.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 25 May were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Paper for Plenary meeting on 7 June 2010
Assembly Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow business to continue past 7pm on Monday 7 June if required.
Executive Business
4.2 Members noted the possible introductions of the Employment (No. 2) Bill on Monday 7 June, and the Safeguarding Board Bill on Tuesday 8 June, subject to the Speaker’s approval.
4.3 Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was scheduled for Monday 7 June.
4.4 Members were informed that there would be no Ministerial response to the private members’ motion on ‘Fuel Prices’ scheduled for Monday 7 June.
4.5 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton advised that there was no additional Executive Business expected.
Committee Business
4.6 Members agreed to schedule an SDLP motion to change Standing Committee Membership on Monday 7 June.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 14 June 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business has been scheduled for Monday 14 June:
- Motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow business to continue past 7pm if required;
- DFP motion on the ‘Supply Resolution Main Estimates’;
- Possible introduction of the Budget (No. 3) Bill subject to the Speaker’s approval;
- Consideration Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill, subject to completion of its Committee Stage on 3 June; and
- Question Time to the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business has been scheduled for Tuesday 15 June:
- Motion to Suspend Standing Orders to omit the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 3) Bill and to allow it to pass in less than 10 days;
- Second Stage – Budget (No. 3) Bill;
- Second Stage – Energy Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill;
- Final Stage – Employment Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
5.3 Members agreed to schedule four hours for the motion on the ‘Supply Resolution Main Estimates’ on Monday 14 June. It was agreed that the Minister should be allocated one hour to divide between proposing and winding, as required, and that all other speakers would have up to 10 minutes.
5.4 Junior Ministers Kelly and Newton informed members that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make an oral statement on Tuesday 15 June, on a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Agriculture Sectoral format.
Committee Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule a take note motion from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the ‘Executive’s Response to the Economic Downturn’ on Monday 14 June. Members agreed to allocate 2 hours to the debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members noted the possible introduction of an Assembly Commission Bill, to repeal the Allowances to Members of the Assembly Bill, on Monday 14 June, subject to final agreement at the Commission’s next meeting and the Speaker’s normal approval process. Members also noted that the Commission may seek Accelerated Passage for the Bill.
Private Members’ Business
5.7 Due to the volume of other business scheduled, members agreed that there was no scope for any private members’ business to be selected on either Monday 14 or Tuesday 15 June.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker notified members that Mr PJ Bradley had been appointed as both Mr Pat Ramsey’s and Mr Thomas Burns’ substitute on the Business Committee.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30 pm on Tuesday 8 June 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.40pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker