MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 2001 AT 12.55 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.56 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr D Watson
In attendance:
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Observers:
Ms L Devlin Executive Liaison
Sir J Gorman
Ms J Morrice
Mr D McClarty
Mr J Wells
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 27 November 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Ministerial Statements
The Speaker confirmed that leaders of parties not represented on the Business Committee had been notified of the ruling that those not present in the Chamber during Ministerial statements would not be called to put questions to the Minister.
2.2 Draft Justice (NI) Bill
The Speaker drew Members' attention to the letter he had received from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State advising that the period of consultation on the Bill had been extended to Monday 7 January 2002; the Assembly would be in recess on that date.
The Assembly had agreed on Monday 3 December 2001 that the Ad Hoc Committee set up to consider the Bill would report back on Monday 14 January. The Speaker confirmed that the Bill was due for Second Reading in the House of Commons at some stage during week commencing 14 January 2002 and he had written to the Government Chief Whip requesting the Second Reading should be later in the week so that the views of the Assembly would be available for the debate.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING
10 DECEMBER 2001
3.1 It was AGREED (47 votes for, 26 votes against) that the Assembly sitting would commence at 10.30 am on Monday 10 December 2001.
3.2 On this basis, business for the Plenary Sittings on 10 and 11 December 2001 was discussed, the Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.
3.3 The Speaker advised Members he had been notified by the First Minister that he would not be available for Plenary business during week commencing 10 December. The First and Deputy First Ministers had jointly agreed that OFMDFM business would be conducted solely by Mr Mark Durkan, the Deputy First Minister. For the statements on North-South Ministerial Council and British-Irish Council Plenary sessions, Mr Durkan would be speaking on behalf of the Executive. The Speaker confirmed there was no legal impediment to this arrangement.
3.4 Standing Order 10
It was AGREED that the Speaker should write to the Committee on Procedures requesting that they review Standing Order 10 which relates to the times for Plenary business.
4. REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE REGULATATIONS -
CONSULTATION PAPER FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS
4.1 Members had been issued with a copy of the consultation document, which relates to elections - an excepted matter. Following discussion it was AGREED (31 votes for, 24 votes against) that the matter be referred to the Committee of the Centre to prepare a response on the Assembly's behalf.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Mr Hutchinson highlighted the growing number of Private Members' Motions on the No Day Named List and suggested that such motions should be placed on the Order Paper on a more regular basis.
6. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
6.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 11 December 2001, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.38 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker