NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 18 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.33 pm
Present:
The Speaker (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
Mr P Weir
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 R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services
Observers:
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 No apologies were noted.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2011
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 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 24 January 2011
Executive Business
4.1 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 Consideration Stage of the Transport Bill was scheduled for Monday 24 January.
4.2 Members noted that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Monday 24 January on EU Fisheries Council.
4.3 In addition to the business that was scheduled at last week’s meeting, members noted that the Local Government Finance Bill was also scheduled for Tuesday 25 January.
Committee Business
4.4 Members agreed to reschedule the motion from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety on Monday 24 January, extending the Committee Stage of the Autism Bill.
4.5 Members noted that the motion to take note of the Draft Budget 2011-2015 from the Committee for Finance and Personnel was now postponed to Monday 31 January, to allow Committees time to agree their positions.
Private Members’ Business
4.6 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill on Monday 24 January.
4.7 Members agreed to schedule one Private Members’ Motion on Monday 24 January.
Under the system of allocating Private Members’ motions, the selection lay with the DUP.
The following motion was proposed:
- Post Primary Transfer Advice (J Craig, M McIlveen, M Storey, D Hilditch).
4.8 Members agreed to schedule the motion on Monday 24 January. Members agreed that up to 1 hour 30 minutes should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
4.9 The Junior Ministers confirmed that all Ministers were available.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 31 January 2011
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled:
Monday 31 January
- Consideration Stage – Civil Registration Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Dogs (Amendment) Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister for Social Development and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Tuesday 1 February
- Consideration Stage – Welfare of Animals Bill;
- Consideration Stage – Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Transport Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Minister of Education.
Committee Business
5.2 Members agreed to schedule the Final Stage of the Allowances to Members to the Assembly (Repeal) Bill on Monday 31 January.
5.3 Members agreed to reschedule the Committee for Finance and Personnel’s motion to take note of the Draft Budget 2011-2015 on Monday 31 January. Members reviewed the allocated time for the debate, and agreed to extend it to 2 hours 30 minutes to allow all Chairs an opportunity to speak, as well as other Members.
Private Members’ Business
5.4 Members agreed to schedule the Second Stage of Mr Pat Ramsey’s Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill on Tuesday 1 February.
5.5 Members agreed that there was no scope to schedule any Private Members’ Motions, but that an Adjournment Debate was possible on Tuesday 1 February.
Under the system for allocating Adjournment Debates, the selection lay with Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin selected the following topic:
- Justice for Paul McCauley (Ms M Anderson).
5.6 The Junior Ministers confirmed that all relevant Ministers were available, and that the only Minister unavailable that week was the Minister for Employment and Learning.
6. Review of Allocation of Statutory and Standing Committee Seats to Parties
6.1 The Speaker referred members to the advice paper enclosed in their packs regarding the need to review the allocation of Statutory and Standing Committee Seats, following the resignation of Mr David McClarty from the Ulster Unionist Party.
6.2 Members agreed to postpone consideration of the paper until next week’s meeting.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 Ms Carál Ní Chuilín expressed her concern that the Minister for Social Development had not made a statement to the Assembly on the heating and other disruptions experienced by Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants over the Christmas period. Lord Morrow and Mr Kieran McCarthy also expressed their disappointment. The Speaker asked the Junior Ministers to convey these concerns to the Executive.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 25 January 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.40pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
11 January 2011 / Menu |
