NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 11 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.32 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr F Cobain
Lord Morrow
Mr K McCarthy
Ms C Ní Chuilín
Mr J O’Dowd
Mr P Weir
In attendance:
Mr J Stewart Director of Clerking and Reporting
Ms L Gordon Clerk of Business
Ms C McKay Assistant Clerk
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 The Speaker welcomed everyone back following the Christmas break, and noted apologies from Mr P Ramsey, Mr P Maskey and Junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2010
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 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 17 January 2011
Executive Business
4.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled:
Monday 17 January
- Motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow the sitting to continue past 7pm if needed;
- A statement from the Minister of the Environment on Draft PPS 23 (Enabling Development) and Draft PPS 24 (Economic Considerations);
- Second Stage – Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill;
- Consideration Stage – Employment (No.2) Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Energy Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Safeguarding Board Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister for Employment and Learning and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Tuesday 18 January
- Consideration Stage – Dogs (Amendment) Bill;
- Final Stage – Construction Contracts (Amendment) Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
4.2 Members noted that the Minister for Regional Development and the
Minister of Finance and Personnel intended to seek permission from the Speaker to each make a statement on Monday 17 January.
Committee Business
4.3 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to extend the Committee Stage of the Autism Bill on Monday 17 January.
4.4 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 Tuesday 18 January.
4.5 Members agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Employment and Learning on its report on Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training, on Tuesday 18 January. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for this debate, with the usual speaking times.
Private Members’ Business
4.6 Members agreed that there was no scope for Private Members motions, but that an adjournment debate would be possible on Tuesday 18 January.
4.7 Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with the DUP.
The DUP selected the following topic:
- Glengormley town centre regeneration (Mr N McCausland).
4.8 Junior Minister Newton confirmed that the Minister for Social Development was available to respond to the adjournment debate. Members therefore agreed to schedule the topic as the Adjournment Debate on Tuesday 18 January.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 24 January 2011
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled:
Monday 24 January
- Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Tuesday 25 January
- Final Stage – Energy Bill;
- Final Stage – Waste and Contaminated Land (Amendment) Bill;
- Final Stage – Safeguarding Board Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Regional Development.
5.2 Members noted that, following the Executive meeting on 13 January, there was the possibility that two Consideration Stages would be scheduled Monday 24 January on the Transport Bill and Civil Registration Bill. Members also noted the possibility of a statement from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on EU Fisheries Council.
Committee Business
5.3 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Allowances to Members to the Assembly (Repeals) Bill on Monday 24 January, and its Further Consideration Stage on Tuesday 25 January.
5.4 Members agreed to provisionally schedule the Committee for Finance and Personnel’s motion to take note of the Draft Budget 2011-2015 on Tuesday 25 January. Members noted that as a number of Committees had experienced problems getting information from their departments, the Committee for Finance and Personnel was to decide whether to proceed with its motion at its meeting on 12 January. Mr Fred Cobain commented that his Committee had not received any information from the department, and did not believe it would be in a position to scrutinise the Regional Development budget within the timeframe. Members agreed to review the position on the motion at next week’s Business Committee, but provisionally agreed that two hours should be scheduled for the debate, with 15 minutes to propose and 15 to wind, and seven minutes for all other speakers.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill on Monday 24 January, subject to Mr McKay’s ongoing discussions with the Minister of Finance and Personnel and the Minister of the Environment.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of Mr John McCallister’s Caravans Bill on Tuesday 25 January.
5.7 Members agreed that no other private members business should be scheduled, until the position on Executive and Committee Business is clearer.
6. Exchange of Question Time Slots
6.1 Members agreed to the Minister for Employment and Learning’s request to exchange his Question Time slot on 7 February with the Minister of Justice’s slot on 15 February.
6.2 The Speaker referred members to a copy of the latest version of the Speaker’s Rulings document that had been tabled for their information.
6.3 The Speaker introduced members to Mr Robin Ramsey, Adviser to the Speaker.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 18 January 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.43pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
07 December 10 / Menu |
