MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 8 MAY 2001 AT 1.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.33 pm
Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Ms M McWilliams
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson
In attendance: Mr A Moir The Clerk to the Assembly
Mr J Reynolds Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Observers: Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting of 1 May 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
- Product Liability Bill
It was AGREED that the Product Liability Bill should stand referred to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, as the appropriate Statutory Committee under Standing Order 31.
-
Unparliamentary Behaviour
The Speaker had undertaken at the previous meeting to give consideration to the behaviour of a Member during the Assembly meeting of 1 May. The Speaker had now dealt with this matter and advised Members that those who blatantly challenge the authority of the Chair or who abuse the points of order process will find it difficult to catch the Speaker's eye when wishing to speak in subsequent debates.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING WEEK COMMENCING 14 MAY 2001
3.1 Motion on Public Health/Health Inequalities
In response to a query Mr T McCusker clarified that it had been the view of the Executive that some elements of the Programme for Government warranted further discussion by the Assembly. This and other such Motions are tabled as Executive Business, not the initiative of the individual Minister. The Committee was of the view that some of these Motions would be better brought by Chairpersons of the relevant Committees.
3.2 It was AGREED that the Assembly should sit for one day only during week commencing 14 May 2001.
3.3 Proposed business for the Plenary Sitting on 14 May was discussed, the Order Paper AGREED and indicative timings allocated on the basis that:
- the Executive agrees that the order of business is changed so that the legislation, Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment motions and Social Development motions are taken consecutively;
- if the debate on the Motion 'Statutory Rule subject to Confirmatory Resolution' ends before 2.15 pm, the debate on Public Health will commence immediately, and be suspended during Question Time. This is to be communicated to Members; and
- the Motion on Public Health is not a time limited debate. Regardless of the time it starts the Question will be put at 6.00 pm or when all who wish to speak have done so.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Personal Statements
The First Minister had made a personal statement to the Assembly on 8 May 2001. The Speaker clarified that the normal rules for personal statements preclude other Members from asking questions, unless that Member has been referred to in the statement in which case they may make a brief comment to indicate whether or not they accept the content of the statement. Following the precedent of Thursday 15 July 1999, however, if it is a Minister making a personal statement on his/her resignation from Government, party leaders or their representatives will be given the opportunity to make comment. There will be no opportunity in either case for questions to the person making the statement.
4.2 Conduct of the Debate on the Motion 'No Confidence in the Minister of Education'
The Speaker reminded Members of the rules regarding parliamentary privilege, which extends to defamation only and not protection from criminal proceedings. Members were also reminded of the rules regarding unparliamentary language. Members ruled out of order would be asked to withdraw their comment or face suspension for the remainder of the Sitting. The Speaker clarified that the proposer of the Motion would be given 15 minutes to open and 10 minutes to wind. The Minister or his representative would be allotted 20 minutes to respond should he request the opportunity to do so. It was AGREED that other Members wishing to speak during the debate should be allotted no more than 5 minutes each.
4.3 Center for Democracy
The Speaker reminded Members that Professor Weinstein would be in Belfast on Friday 11 May and that Members were invited to a buffet lunch hosted by the Speaker for Professor Weinstein.
4.4 Indicative Timings
There was discussion on the difficulties on dealing with business of unpredictable length when question time was fixed at 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm. It was AGREED to refer the matter to the Committee on Procedures asking them to consider moving Question Time to 12.00 noon on Mondays to facilitate business being conducted on a rolling basis.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 Since there would be no Plenary Sitting on Tuesday 15 May, it was AGREED to hold the Business Committee meeting after Plenary Business on Monday 14 May. It was AGREED that an All Party Notice should be issued notifying Members that on occasions where there is one day's Plenary Business only, the Business Committee will meet 15 minutes after the close of business. In these circumstances, Motions and Adjournment Debate topics will have to be submitted before 5.00 pm on that day.
5.2 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Monday 14 May 2001 in Room 106 at 6.15 pm.
The meeting adjourned at 2.28 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker