MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 19 JUNE 2001 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.03 pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds MP
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Ms M McWilliams
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson
In attendance: Mr J Reynolds Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Mrs F Lenaghan Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr M Barnes Clerk Assistant
Observers: Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mr J Tierney
Mr P McNamee
Apologies: Mr A Maskey
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr A Moir
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting of 12 June 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 There were no matters arising.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 25 JUNE 2001
3.1 The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel that the Committee is content for the Budget Bill to proceed under the accelerated passage procedure. This Bill could therefore be tabled for Monday 25 June.
3.2 The Speaker informed Members that the Executive had prepared two Motions to suspend Standing Order 40(1) in respect of the Product Liability Bill and the Department for Learning and Employment Bill. The Speaker expressed the opinion that it was not appropriate to suspend Standing Orders other than in exceptional circumstances. The aim was to allow these Bills to reach Final Stage before recess. If the Assembly were to sit on 4 July to consider these items of business, the Executive Motions would not therefore be required. It was AGREED to consider this issue at a subsequent meeting.
3.3 The Committee considered Question Time for Tuesday 26 June. No questions have been tabled for the First and Deputy First Ministers or for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Only 2 questions had been tabled for the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and there had been an indication that these may be withdrawn. It was AGREED that if these were not withdrawn, the Culture, Arts and Leisure questions would be taken at 2.30 pm with the next item of business taken immediately thereafter.
3.4 It was AGREED that a Private Members' Motion could be debated on Monday 25 June. Nominations were received and voted on as follows:
Alcohol Bye-Laws (Mrs J Carson) |
Proposed by: Mr J Wilson |
28 votes |
Fluoridation of Drinking Water (Mr J Dallat) |
Proposed by: Dr A McDonnell |
26 votes |
Nursery Schools Admissions (Mr S Wilson |
Proposed by: Mr I Paisley Jnr |
24 votes |
Social Exclusion of Young People (Dr A McDonnell) |
Proposed by: Dr A McDonnell |
withdrawn |
Audit Office Report (Mr J Kelly) |
Proposed by: Mr C Murphy |
23 votes |
Mobile Phones (Mr J Shannon) |
Proposed by: Mr N Dodds MP |
withdrawn |
The Motion on Alcohol Bye-Laws was therefore selected.
3.5 On this basis, business for the Plenary Meetings on 25 and 26 June 2001 was discussed, Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Visit by Canadian Delegation 25/26 June 2001
The Speaker reminded Members that his delegation will include Party Whips and asked that names of those wishing to meet Speaker Milliken and his delegation should contact John Ross, Room 28, as soon as possible.
4.2 Assembly and Business Trust
A paper had been circulated. Following clarification by the Speaker of the purpose of the Trust it was AGREED that the Speaker would arrange a meeting over dinner between Party and Business representatives after recess, to explore areas of mutual advantage.
4.3 Questions - Intranet Access to Written Answers
The Speaker advised Members that facilities could be made available for written questions to be published on the Intranet the day after a Member receives a substantive Ministerial response. While this might provide a useful service, it would mean that the Member who tabled the question would have only a short time to take action before the information would be made available to other Members. Members AGREED to give the matter consideration and discuss at the next meeting.
4.4 Question Time
Members raised the issue of Question Time on 18 June 2001, when supplementary questions had been accepted which were not related to the original. The Speaker AGREED to take the matter under consideration.
4.5 Committee Membership
Mr Murphy raised the issue of Independent Members who were appointed to Committees. Where such Members have now joined a larger party, this skews the membership representation on that Committee. The Speaker clarified that he is not in a position to take action unless notified in writing that a Member has lost or taken a Whip.
4.6 Confidentiality
In response to comments from Members, the Speaker reminded Members that matters discussed at the Business Committee are to remain confidential.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 26 June 2001, at 1.00 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.56 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker