MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2001 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds MP
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr K McCarthy
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr C Murphy
Mr J Wilson

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

1.1 The minutes of the meeting of 25 September 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Programme for Government and Budget Debates

The Speaker advised Members that he was exploring dates with OFMDFM for a meeting to discuss how the draft Programme for Government and Budget may be presented to the Assembly in future, other than by way of a Statement. The Speaker indicated that this could be by way of debate on foot of a 'Take Note' Motion from the Executive.

2.2 Consideration/Further Consideration Stage of Bills

Mr Hutchinson raised a query regarding conduct of the Consideration Stage of the Social Security Fraud Bill. This debate was populated by Members of the Social Development Committee who did not appear to be in agreement. The Speaker clarified that he had intervened during the debate to remind Members that Consideration and Further Consideration Stages are not designed to again rehearse the arguments raised at Second Stage of the Bill. Instead, Members should put down amendments to allow specific issues to be debated; this does not necessarily mean the issue will be put to the vote. Whips have a particular role in educating Members on the legislative process. The Speaker asked that the Principal Clerk of Committees advise Clerks to draw the legislative procedures to the attention of Committee Members.

3. VISIT BY LORD WILLIAMS OF MOSTYN

3.1 The Speaker reminded Members that names of those wishing to attend the buffet lunch in the Private Dining Room at 1.00 pm on 8 October 2001 are to be lodged with John Ross, Room 28.

4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 8 OCTOBER 2001

4.1 Business for the Plenary Sittings on 8 and 9 October 2001 was discussed, the Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.

4.2 Mr E McGrady MP queried why the indicative timings for Monday 1 October were changed from 6.00 pm to 8.20 pm on the basis of a Motion that had not been put before the Business Committee. The Speaker clarified that a number of considerations had to be taken into account following notice of two Statements from the Executive Committee and the decision was taken to suspend Standing Orders so that none of the business agreed by the Business Committee fell.

4.3 Mr C Murphy queried why, in respect of the two Exclusion Motions, the decision had been taken to depart from the precedent that a Motion could not be tabled where a substantially similar Motion already appeared on the No Day Named List. The Speaker explained that there was precedent in the case previously where Dr Paisley tabled an Exclusion Motion when one already stood on the List in Mr Cedric Wilson's name. One was a bare Exclusion Motion and one was a reasoned Motion. Advice had been sought and the decision was taken that the Motions are different even though the effect is the same.

4.4 It was AGREED (49 votes for, 5 against) that the matter of exclusion be debated on Monday 8 October 2001 and that 4 hours be allocated to the debate, the proposer of the Motion would be allowed 30 minutes to propose and 15 minutes to wind, and Sinn Féin would be allowed 30 minutes to reply and 15 minutes to wind. A maximum of 10 minutes would be allocated to each of the other speakers in the debate.

4.5 It was AGREED (nemine contradicente) that both Motions appear on the Order Paper.

4.6 It was AGREED (28 votes for, 21 against) that the Motion proposed by Mr D Trimble MP would be listed first on the Order Paper.

4.7 The speaking times were confirmed.

4.8 In respect of the Order Paper for Tuesday 9 October it was agreed to table 2 Private Members' Motions for a 2-hour debate each. Nominations were received and Members voted as follows:

Threshold Assessment [Mr B Hutchinson] 69 votes

NI Energy Agency [Dr A McDonnell] 50 votes

Safeguarding Industries [Mr D McClarty] 54 votes

[Mr K Robinson]

Good Friday Agreement [Mr P Doherty] 23 votes

On this basis, it was AGREED that 'Threshold Assessment' and 'Safeguarding Industries' would be placed on the Order Paper for 9 October 2001.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

5.1 Following a query the Speaker outlined the statutory and procedural implications of a withdrawal from the Executive by the Ulster Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party Ministers. A period of 7 days would run during which time those parties could make nominations for replacement. Following the expiry of 7 days, in the absence of nominations the d'Hondt procedure would be run. (Initial Standing Orders provided that there had to be at least 3 designated Nationalists and 3 designated Unionist Ministers, but this requirement had not been brought forward to current Standing Orders.)

5.2 Expressions of Sympathy

Following discussion, Members AGREED that where an individual Member wishes the Assembly to express its sympathy following any terrorist or other incident, the Member should notify their Whip who will approach the Speaker. The Speaker will then contact other Whips to propose an agreed response by the Assembly that will be suitable to each set of circumstances. The Speaker cautioned Members that this is the most desirable approach but may not always be practicable.

6. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

6.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 9 October 2001 at 12.30 pm in Room 106 or 10 minutes after the Assembly rises for lunch, whichever is later.

The meeting adjourned at 2.10 pm.