MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2001 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.08 pm.
Present:
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds MP
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr K McCarthy
Mr A Maskey
Ms M McWilliams
Mr C Murphy (in the Chair)
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson
In attendance:
Mr M Barnes Clerk Assistant
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr J Ross
Observers:
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Sir John Gorman
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Tierney
Apologies:
The Speaker
Mr E McGrady MP
- THE SPEAKER
1.1 Mr Conor Murphy took the Chair in the absence of the Speaker who had notified the Committee previously that he would be absent fulfilling a long-standing engagement.
- MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
2.1 The minutes of the meeting of 18 September 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.
- MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Report for Whips: Attendance by Members at Committees
Members noted that this report had been circulated to Whips.
3.2 Code of Conduct for Ministers
Mr McCusker reported that he had provided a further note to the Speaker on the provisions in the Ministerial Code, which impact on Ministers commenting on policy matters, and this was issued to Members.
- ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETING WEEK COMMENCING 1 OCTOBER 2001
4.1 It was AGREED that the Assembly would sit for one day only during week commencing 1 October 2001. Business for the Plenary Sitting on 1 October 2001 was discussed, the Order Paper AGREED and indicative timings allocated.
4.2 Following discussion, it was AGREED that if a valid Petition of Concern were received in accordance with Standing Order 27 in respect of the Motion on the NI Human Rights Commission, the vote would take place at the commencement of Private Members' Business on Monday 1 October 2001.
4.3 It was AGREED that the take note Motion on the No Day Named list tabled by the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development would be considered by the Business Committee for the Plenary Business during week commencing 8 October 2001.
4.4 In response to a query raised by Mr Nigel Dodds MP, Mr McCusker reported that discussions had taken place between Executive Liaison and the Speaker as to how the Programme for Government and Budget should be presented to Members. A longer debate than the time allowed by a statement would be desirable. In response to further queries, it was clarified that there was no intention to bring forward an Executive Committee Motion at this stage.
- ORAL QUESTIONS
5.1 Members agreed the Rota for Questions for Oral Answer for 22 October - 10 December 2001.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 Visit by Lord Williams of Mostyn
The Chairman asked that names of those wishing to attend the buffet lunch in the Private Dining Room at 12.30 pm on 8 October were to be lodged with John Ross in Room 28 as soon as possible.
6.2 Interns
It was AGREED that the matter of security passes for university students on Intern Programmes would be referred to the Office of the Assembly Commission.
- DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
7.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 2 October 2001 at 12.30 pm in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.28 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker
18 September 2001 / Menu / 2 October 2001