NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 08 MARCH 2011
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr T Burns
Mr P Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Lord Morrow
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
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mrs M Mageean Clerk of Business
Mr H Widdis Director of Legal Services

Observers:
Deputy Speaker Mr J Dallat
Deputy Speaker Mr D McClarty
Junior Minister Kelly
Junior Minister Newton
Mr A Rogers OFMDFM

1. Introduction and Apologies

1.1 Apologies were noted from Ms Carál Ní Chuilín and Mr Fred Cobain.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2011

2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2011 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 14 March 2011

Executive Business

4.1 Members noted that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment agreed to reschedule the following four Motions to Monday 14 March to alleviate the pressure of business on Tuesday 15 March:

• Categories of Tourist Establishment Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• Draft Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• Insolvency (Fees) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
• Draft Debt Relief (2010 Act) (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

4.2 The junior Ministers advised members that the Minister of the Environment intended to seek permission from the Speaker to make a statement on Monday 14 March on the ‘British-Irish Council Meeting in Environment Sectoral Format’.

4.3 Members noted that the following Ministers had sought permission from the Speaker to each make a statement on Tuesday 15 March:

• Minister of the Environment on the ‘Road Safety Strategy and Consultation on Graduated Driver Licensing’; and
• Minister for Employment and Learning on the ‘Proposed Discontinuance of Stranmillis College and Proposed Merger with Queen’s University of Belfast’.

5. Provisional Arrangements for Plenary meetings in week commencing 21 March 2011

Assembly Business

5.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow business to continue past 7pm on Monday 21 March.

Executive Business

5.2 Members noted that the following Executive Business had been scheduled for Monday 21 March:

• A Motion on the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order;
• Further Consideration Stage of the Planning Bill;
• A Motion to suspend Standing Order 42(1) in relation to the Planning Bill;
• Two Motions from the Minister of the Environment on the:
• Draft Marine Licensing (Appeals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
• Draft Marine Licensing (Civil Sanctions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• Final Stage of the Civil Registration Bill;
• Final Stage of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill;
• Three Motions from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the:
• Rates (Industrial Hereditaments) (Specified Percentage) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
• Rates (Housing Executive) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• Two Motions from the Minister for Social Development on the:
• Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Worker’s Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011; and
• Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• A Motion from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the:
• Fishing Boats (Electronic Transmission of Fishing Activities Data) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2011;
• A Legislative Consent Motion on the Protection of Freedoms Bill from the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and
• Question Time to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister of Education.

5.3 Members noted that, in order to allow sufficient time for printing and clearances for the Planning Bill after its Further Consideration Stage on Monday 21 March, the Final Stage of the Planning Bill had been scheduled on Wednesday 23 March.

5.4 As Question Time was the only item of business scheduled for Tuesday 22 March, members agreed to reschedule Question Time to Wednesday 23 March, to avoid sitting on three days. Members noted that the relevant Ministers were content with this change.

5.5 Members noted that the following Executive Business was scheduled for Wednesday 23 March:

• A Motion to approve the Local Government Code of Audit Practice;
• Final Stage of the Planning Bill; and
• Question Time to the Minister for Employment and Learning and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

Committee Business

5.6 Members agreed to schedule a Motion from the Committee for Education on its report on ‘Successful Post-primary Schools Serving Disadvantaged Communities’ on Monday 21 March. Members agreed to allocate 1 hour 30 minutes for the debate, with the usual speaking times.

5.7 Members agreed to schedule a Motion from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on its ‘Report on the Review into the Impact and Value of Museums in Northern Ireland’ on Wednesday 23 March. Members agreed to allocate 1 hour 30 minutes for the debate, with the usual speaking times.

Private Members Business

5.8 Members agreed to schedule the Final Stage of Mr Daithí McKay’s Single Use Plastic Bags Bill on Wednesday 23 March.

5.9 Members agreed that there was no scope to schedule any Private Members Motions or Adjournment Debates, given the volume of Executive Business scheduled.

6. Any Other Business

Business Committee Substitutes

6.1 Members were advised that Mr Alastair Ross and Miss Michelle McIlveen had been appointed as the substitutes for Mr Peter Weir and the Lord Morrow at the Business Committee, in line with requirements under Standing Order 55(6).

Suspension During Lengthy Debates

6.2 Members expressed the view that, when a debate is likely to last for several hours, the House should suspend for a reasonable period to allow the Minister and Members to take a break. The Speaker suggested that, if a suspension has not already been agreed by the committee, Whips should consult him if they believe a break would be appropriate, and arrangements will be made for the House to suspend.

Divisions

6.3 Members queried whether a different approach could be taken by the Chair when ‘collecting voices’ on cross-community votes where it is clear both that cross-community support will not be achieved, and that it is not the will of any side to force a division. The Speaker undertook to consider the matter. It was also suggested that the Committee on Procedures might consider, during the next mandate, amending Standing Orders to allow the three minute period to be dispensed with before putting the question a second time, when it is clear that there will be a sequence of divisions. Members agreed that a letter should issue to the Committee on Procedures asking it to include a review of this aspect of divisions in its work programme for the next mandate.

Electronic Devices

6.4 Lord Morrow asked for the systems in the Chamber to be adapted to facilitate Members using electronic devices without them causing interference, particularly when Members are required to be present in the Chamber for lengthy debates, and as other legislatures do not appear to suffer from similar problems. The Speaker advised members that the Assembly Commission was aware of the issue, and that it is hoped an early solution will be found.

7. Date and Time of next meeting

7.1 Members agreed to meet at approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday 15 March 2011 in Room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.55pm.

Mr William Hay
Speaker

01 March 2011 / Menu