NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.05 pm
Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
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
Observers:
Mr D McClarty Deputy Speaker
Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr A Rogers OFMDFM
1. Introduction and Apologies
1.1 Apologies were noted from Mr Fred Cobain, Junior Minister Newton and Junior Minister Kelly.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2011
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 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 28 February 2011
Assembly Business
4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow business to continue past 7pm if required, on Monday 28 February.
Executive Business
4.2 Members noted that Consideration Stage of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill has been scheduled for Monday 28 February.
4.3 Members noted that the Final Stage of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill has been rescheduled for Tuesday 1 March.
4.4 Members noted that the Minister of the Environment may request that the Further Consideration Stage of the High Hedges Bill, previously scheduled for Tuesday 1 March, be postponed until week commencing 7 March to facilitate the tabling of Amendments. Members noted that the Minister would formally seek this postponement before the Order Papers were sent to print.
4.5 Members noted that the following Ministers intended to seek permission from the Speaker to each make a statement on Monday 28 February:
- Minister of Justice on Review of Prisons;
- Minister for Social Development on Housing Responses in Times of Need; and
- Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the NSMC in Tourism Sectoral format.
4.6 Members noted that the Minister for Social Development intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Tuesday 1 March on the British Irish Council meeting in Housing Sectoral format.
4.7 Members agreed that the Indicative Timings of the Final Stage of the Budget Bill, scheduled for Tuesday 1 March, should show 3 hours. The Speaker asked Whips to give consideration to the length of party speaking lists, given the extensive debate that had already taken place. The Speaker also advised Whips that he and the Deputy Speakers will interrupt where interventions are either too frequent or too long, or are not related to the topic.
4.8 Members noted that the Committee for the Environment had tabled a Motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill until 24 March. Members noted that this would effectively mean that the Bill could not complete all of its stages before dissolution. Members noted the time pressures on the Committee in scrutinising other legislation, and also noted its plans to gather evidence in relation to this Bill. Members agreed to schedule the motion on Monday 28 February and considered that a debate would not be required.
Private Members’ Business
4.9 Mr Pat Ramsey advised members of a cross party motion that had been tabled to endorse a report from the All Party Group on International Development, and sought members’ support to schedule it for debate in week commencing 28 February, prior to the report’s launch. Members considered the other business arranged for both days, and agreed to schedule the Motion on Tuesday 1 March. Members agreed that one hour should be allocated for the debate, with the usual speaking times.
5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 7 March 2011
Executive Business
5.1 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Monday 7 March:
- Further Consideration Stage – Justice Bill;
- Legislative Consent Motion – Energy 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 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Tuesday 8 March:
- Further Consideration Stage – Civil Registration Bill;
- Further Consideration Stage – Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill; and
- Question Time to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister of Justice.
5.3 Subject to the outcome of the Executive’s meeting this week, members noted that additional Executive Bills may be scheduled, and that an additional sitting may be required on Wednesday 9 March.
Committee Business
5.4 Members noted that the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister may table a motion to take note of the progress on issues in its European Report, for debate on Monday 7 March, but that this would be confirmed next week.
Private Members’ Business
5.5 Members agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill on Monday 7 March.
5.6 Members agreed to schedule the Further Consideration Stage of Mr Dominic Bradley’s Autism Bill on Monday 7 March.
5.7 Members agreed to schedule the Final Stage of Ms Dawn Purvis’ Local Government (Disqualification) Bill on Tuesday 8 / Wednesday 9 March.
5.8 Members agreed to review the position on scheduling Private Members’ motions and Adjournment Debates next week, when the position on Executive Business is clearer.
6. Any Other Business
Possible Short Suspension during Continuation of the Justice Bill tomorrow
6.1 Members agreed that, if the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill looks likely to go significantly past 2pm tomorrow, the Speaker should suspend the sitting for 30 minutes.
Suspension of Standing Orders
6.2 Lord Morrow asked the Committee to consider what mechanism could be put in place to avoid the Plenary sitting into the early hours of the morning, and suggested that when a motion to suspend Standing Orders is tabled a time is inserted to suspend at an agreed time. Members agreed to consider this proposal.
There was also discussion regarding introducing time limits on debates on legislation, and all agreed that this should be a matter for a new Committee on Procedures to consider in the new mandate.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 1 March 2011 in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.20pm.
Mr William Hay
Speaker
15 February 2011 / Menu |
