NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 15 JUNE 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr J McCallister
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
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
Mr P Stitt Diary Secretary
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr D McClarty
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr Paul Maskey, Mr Fred Cobain, Mr Pat Ramsey and junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 8 June 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 8 June 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 21 June 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted the possible introduction of the Transport Bill, the Welfare of Animals Bill and the Tourism (Amendment) Bill on Monday 21 June, and the Housing (Amendment) (No.2) Bill on Tuesday 22 June, subject to the Speaker’s approval. Members also noted that the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill may also be introduced on Tuesday 22 June, subject to both the Executive and Speaker’s approval.
4.2 Members noted that a motion to approve the draft Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) Regulations was scheduled for Tuesday 22 June.
4.3 Junior Minister Newton informed members that the Minister of Justice intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make an oral statement on Monday 21 June, on the Review of Prisons.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule the motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to extend the Committee Stage of the Sunbeds Bill on Tuesday 22 June.
4.5 Members noted that the cross party motion on ‘Financial Framework Applied to Government Departments’, scheduled for Tuesday 22 June, had been withdrawn. Members agreed to reschedule the motion from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on ‘The Executive’s Priority Measures to Deal with the Economic Downturn’, which was not moved on 14 June, in this slot. Members had previously agreed that 2 hours should be scheduled for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Commission Business
4.6 Members agreed to schedule a motion to allow the accelerated passage of the Allowances to Members of the Assembly (Repeal) Bill, and the Bill’s Second Stage, on Monday 21 June. Members also agreed to schedule the Bill’s Consideration Stage on Tuesday 22 June.
Private Members’ Business
4.7 Mr Weir proposed that members consider scheduling an adjournment debate on Tuesday 22 June, on the basis that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would be available. Members agreed to the proposal.
The following topic was proposed:
- ‘The Out-of-hours GP Service in Limavady’ (G Robinson).
4.8 Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘The Out-of-hours GP Services in Limavady’ (G Robinson) on Tuesday 22 June.
4.9 Junior Minister Newton advised that Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was available to respond.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 28 June 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business has been scheduled for
Monday 28 June:
- Final Stage – Roads (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business has been scheduled for
Tuesday 29 June:
- Possible statement on the Outcome of the June Monitoring and Provisional Outturn;
- Possible statement on NSMC meeting in Tourism Sectoral format;
- Second Stage – Tourism (Amendment) Bill;
- Second Stage – Welfare of Animals Bill;
- Second Stage – Transport Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
5.3 Members noted that the following Executive Business has been scheduled for Wednesday 30 June:
- Second Stage – Housing (Amendment) Bill;
- Possible Second Stage – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment
Bill; and
- Final Stage – Welfare Reform Bill.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule motions from the Committee on Procedures on Tuesday 29 June, to amend Standing Order 20 (Question Time) and Standing Orders 10 and 12 (extension of sitting times on a Monday).
5.5 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday 29 June, on the themes of recent reports. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate. Members also agreed to the Committee’s request that all speakers, other than the Chairperson, be allocated up to seven minutes in which to speak.
Commission Business
5.6 Members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of the
Allowances to Members of the Assembly (Repeal) Bill on Monday 28 June, and its Final Stage on Tuesday 29 June.
5.7 Members agreed to schedule the Assembly Commission’s motion on its report on Financial Support for Members of the Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly (Members’ Expenditure) Determination 2010 on Monday 28 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
5.8 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motion on Monday 28 June, but none on either Tuesday 29 or Wednesday 30 June.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ motions, the selection lay with the DUP and UUP.
The following motion was proposed:
- ‘Poor Attendance at School’ (R Beggs, B McCrea, J McCallister).
5.9 The DUP deferred its selection, and undertook to inform the clerk as soon as possible.
5.10 Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Poor Attendance at School’ on Monday 28 June. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
5.11 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Wednesday 30 June. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the SDLP.
The SDLP deferred its selection, but informed the clerk after the meeting that the following topic had been selected for the adjournment debate:
- ‘The Murder of the Reavey Family in Whitecross Co. Armagh on 4 January 1976’ (D Bradley).
6. Any Other Business
6.1 There was no other business.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 22 June 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.47pm.