NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.53 pm
Present:
Mr P Weir (Acting 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
In attendance:
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
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
Mr J McMillen Assistant Legal Adviser
Observers:
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 Mr Weir advised members that he had been nominated by the Speaker to act as Chairperson in his absence, and noted apologies from junior Minister Newton.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 16 November were agreed and signed by the Acting Chairperson.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 There were no matters arising.
4. Finalisation of Order Papers for Plenary meetings in week commencing 29 November 2010
Executive Business
- Members noted that a motion to approve the draft General Register Office (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 was scheduled for Monday 29 November.
- Members noted the possible introduction of the Planning Bill on Tuesday 30 November, subject to the Speaker’s agreement.
- Members noted that a motion to affirm the Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 was scheduled for Tuesday 30 November.
- Junior Minister Kelly confirmed there was no additional Executive Business expected.
Committee Business
4.5 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Employment and Learning to annul the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order, on Monday 29 November. Members set no time limit for the motion, in line with convention, but noted that the debate was not expected to last longer than 20 minutes.
4.6 Members agreed to schedule the ‘Freedom from Fear Campaign’ motion from the Committee for Employment and Learning, relating to a campaign against the abuse of shop workers, on Tuesday 30 November. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.7 Members noted that there was no change to the Private Members’ Business previously scheduled.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 6 December 2010
Executive Business
5.1 In addition to Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Tourism (Amendment) Bill was also scheduled for Monday 6 December.
5.2 Members noted that two motions were scheduled for Monday 6 December, to approve the following Statutory Rules:
- Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- Pensions Regulator (Contribution Notices) (Sum Specified Following Transfer) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
5.3 In addition to Question Time to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Minister for Social Development, members noted that the Final Stage of the Commissioner for Older People Bill was also scheduled for Tuesday 7 December.
Committee Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Education on the development of an Early Years Children’s Strategy and Action Plan, on Monday 6 December. Members noted that the Committee had requested a longer debate than normal, and provisionally agreed to schedule two hours for the debate, with 15 minutes to move the motion and 15 minutes to wind, and 7 minutes for all other speakers. Members did, however, agree to review the timing at the next meeting, once the position on Executive Business is clearer.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the Final Stage of the Local Government (Disqualification) Bill and the Second Stage of the Autism Bill on Tuesday 7 December. Following a suggestion from Mr Peter Weir, members agreed that the Second Stage of the Autism Bill should be scheduled on the Order Paper before the Local Government (Disqualification) Bill, to accommodate attendance by autism interest groups.
Members agreed to review the position on Private Members’ motions at the next meeting, but agreed that an adjournment debate would be possible on Tuesday 7 December.
Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
The DUP selected the following topic:
- Proposed new build for Dromore Primary School (Mr P Givan).
Members agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 7 December.
5.6 Junior Minister Kelly confirmed that the Minister of Education was available to respond to the adjournment debate.
6. Any other business
6.1 Mr Weir referred members to a letter from Lord Browne, Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, advising that the Committee had considered the issue of Ministerial availability and attendance in the Chamber. Members noted that the Committee intended to monitor the position as there had been a recent improvement in Ministerial attendance, and agreed to leave the matter with the Committee on Procedures. Members also noted that up to date statistics on attendance were available in their packs for information.
6.2 Members noted that, as a result of the number of Bill stages likely to be scheduled in week commencing 13 December, an additional sitting on Wednesday 15 December was anticipated.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 30 November 2010 in Room 106.
The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.00pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
16 November 10 / Menu |
