NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.36 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr T Burns
Mr F Cobain
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
Ms S Ramsey
Mr P Weir
In attendance:
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk Assistant
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Ms C McKay Assistant Clerk
Mr K Shiels Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms T Caul Senior Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr K Kerr OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker noted apologies from Ms Carál Ní Chuilín and Mr Pat Ramsey.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 2 November were agreed and signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Further to paragraph 7.2 of the minute of the meeting on 2 November, members noted that the statistics on questions withdrawn at Question Time were issued to Whips earlier that day. The Speaker asked members to consider the statistics, and agreed to revisit the matter at next week’s Business Committee if members had any comments.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 15 November 2010
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make two statements on Monday 15 November on an NSMC meeting in Language Sectoral format and an NSMC meeting in Inland Waterways Sectoral format.
4.2 Members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Commissioner for Older People Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 16 November.
4.3 The Junior Ministers confirmed there was no additional Executive Business expected.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to schedule two motions from the Alliance Party on Statutory and Standing Committee membership on Monday 15 November.
4.5 Members noted the possible introduction of the Assembly Commission’s Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill on Monday 15 November, subject to the Speaker’s clearance.
4.6 Members noted that they had previously allocated 30 minutes to the Assembly Commission motion on ‘Payment of Pensions, Gratuities or Allowances’, scheduled for debate on Monday 15 November. Members agreed to allocate seven minutes for the proposer to move the motion, seven minutes to wind, and four minutes for all other speakers.
Private Members’ Business
4.7 Members noted the possible introduction of the following private Members’ Bills over the next few weeks, subject to the Speaker’s clearance:
- Apartment Developments’ Management Reform Bill (K McCarthy);
- Hunting Bill (B Wilson); and
- Plastic Bags Bill (D McKay); and
- Victims and Survivors (Disqualification) Bill (P Weir).
4.8 Members noted that the Minister of Education was unavailable to respond to the motion scheduled for Monday 15 November, on ‘Integrated and Shared Education’, as she would not have returned from business in the USA. It was agreed, therefore, that the motion would be debated on Tuesday 23 November.
4.9 In order to fill the vacant slot on Monday 15 November left by the ‘Integrated and Shared Education’ motion, members agreed to schedule a motion from the SDLP, who had the next selection under the system of allocating private Members motions. The SDLP selected the motion on ‘Protection of Quarry and Construction Industries’, for debate on Monday 15 November. Members noted that the Minister of the Environment was available to respond, and agreed to allocate 1 hour 30 minutes for the debate, with the usual speaking times. After the meeting, the SDLP provided the Clerk of Business with revisions to the wording of the motion.
4.10 Mr Cobain advised members that neither Mr McNarry nor Mr Armstrong were available on Monday 15 November to move the motion on ‘Uptake of Carer’s Allowance by Carers of Pension Age’. Members agreed to allow an alternative motion to be scheduled, and Mr Cobain undertook to inform the Clerk after the meeting. Having notified the selection as being a motion on ‘The Food and Drink Industry’, the party subsequently reviewed its decision and notified the Clerk that no further alternative motion would be put forward for debate on Monday 15 November.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 22 November 2010
Executive Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Student Loans (Amendment) Bill was scheduled for Monday 22 November. Members noted that this was a short, technical Bill.
5.2 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning, members noted that the Consideration Stage of the Tourism (Amendment) Bill was scheduled for Tuesday 23 November.
Commission Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill, subject to its introduction on Monday 15 November. Members noted that the Business Committee would be required to move a motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to scrutinise the Bill, as soon as it had passed its Second Stage.
Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions on Monday 22 November. Members noted that the motion on ‘Integrated and Shared Education’ had been scheduled for debate on Tuesday 23 November.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ motions, the selections lay with the DUP and Sinn Féin.
The following motions were proposed:
- 70th Anniversary of the Death of Lord Craigavon (M Storey, G Campbell, S Moutray); and
- Domiciliary Care (M Anderson, M O’Neill, M Brady).
5.5 Members agreed to schedule both motions on Monday 22 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 23 November. Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the UUP. Mr Cobain agreed to defer the party’s selection to allow the Alliance Party to raise an urgent constituency issue.
The Alliance Party selected the following topic:
- Impact of an ineffective sewerage system on private properties in Greyabbey (K McCarthy).
Members agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 23 November.
5.7 The Junior Ministers confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available to respond to the motions and Adjournment Debate.
6. Any other business
6.1 Members agreed to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s request to exchange her Question Time slot on 29 November with the Minister of Justice’s slot on 6 December.
6.2 Members agreed to reduce the lunch provided to the Business Committee to tea, coffee, sandwiches and a fruit bowl from 16 November.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 16 November 2010 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.51pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
2 November 10 / Menu |
