NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.35 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
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
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 D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Mr Billy Armstrong.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2010
2.1 Lord Morrow requested that a correction be made to paragraph 6.2 of the draft minutes, to reflect the specific concerns expressed at the last meeting by some members about the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s frequent unavailability to respond to motions. It was agreed that revised draft minutes would be brought back for consideration at the next meeting.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Further to paragraph 6.2 of the draft minutes, members noted the Speaker’s letter to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures regarding Ministerial availability. Members also noted that the figures on Ministerial attendance at debates, and on motions selected which subsequently had to be changed because of Ministerial unavailability, would be available in time for the next meeting of the Business Committee.
3.2 Mr Cobain expressed concerns that parties were politicising the issue of Ministerial unavailability by specifically naming the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and considered that there was a need for balance. Ms Ní Chuilín did not support this view and considered that members of the Business Committee must have the flexibility to express their opinions about any circumstance which has an impact on the committee’s role in the scheduling of plenary business. The Speaker stated his belief that the Business Committee was precisely the forum for such discussions, and acknowledged members’ understanding of the confidentiality of meetings.
3.3 Mr Ramsey repeated his general concern about the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s frequent unavailability to respond to motions, and his specific concern about the scant information that the junior Ministers are in a position to provide about the departmental commitments that prevent the Minister attending.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 18 October 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the First Stage of the Justice Bill is scheduled for introduction on Monday 18 October, subject to clearance by the Speaker.
Committee Business
4.2 Members noted there was no change to Committee Business for either Monday 18 or Tuesday 19 October.
Private Members’ Business
4.3 Members noted that the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety was now available to respond to the motion on ‘Review of Multiple Sclerosis Services’ on Monday 18 October, but was still unavailable on Tuesday 19 October.
4.4 Members noted that the UUP wished to replace the motion on ‘Uptake of Carer’s Allowance by Carer’s of Pension Age’ with ‘Enforcement of EU Animal Welfare Legislation’ (T Elliott, B Armstrong, G Savage, J McCallister). Members agreed to schedule the motion on ‘Enforcement of EU Animal Welfare Legislation’ on Tuesday 19 October.
4.5 The junior Ministers confirmed that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was available to respond to the motion.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 1 November 2010
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Monday 1 November:
- Further Consideration Stage – Debt Relief Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill; and
- Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
5.2 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning, members noted that the Second Stage of the Justice Bill may be scheduled for Tuesday 2 November. Committee Business
5.3 Members noted that the Public Accounts Committee had provisionally requested a ‘Take Note’ motion on recent reports for Tuesday 2 November, but that the motion had not yet been tabled. Members noted that the draft Indicative Timings reflected 90 minutes for the motion, but that the Business Committee will be updated on timings next week, if necessary. Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 1 November, but none on Tuesday 2 November.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ motions, the selections lay with Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
The following motions were proposed:
- ‘External Consultants’ (P Maskey, M McLaughlin, C Boylan); and
- ‘University Funding’ (P Ramsey, C McDevitt, D Kelly).
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the motions on ‘External Consultants’ and ‘University Funding’ on Monday 1 November. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debates, with the usual speaking times.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule an Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 2 November. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin selected the following adjournment debate:
- ‘Alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation services in Upper Bann’ (J O’Dowd).
Members agreed to schedule the Adjournment Debate on ‘Alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation services in Upper Bann’ on Tuesday 2 November.
5.7 The junior Ministers confirmed that all relevant members were available to respond to the motions and Adjournment Debate.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 The Speaker expressed his concern that Members were continuing to walk in front of other Members who were speaking in the Chamber, despite his previous requests to Whips and reminders to Members. Whips were asked to raise this with their party colleagues again.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 19 October 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.58pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
05 October 10 / Menu |
