NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MONDAY 8 APRIL 2002 AT 9.15 AM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 9.21 am.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Mr D McClarty
Mr M Morrow
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
In attendance:
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Mr S McCourt Clerk of Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Ms R Donnelly Assistant Clerk of Business
Observers:
Ms L Devlin Executive Liaison
Ms E Bell
Ms J Morrice
Mr D McClelland
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meetings of 19 March and 4 April 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 There were no matters arising.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETING WEEK COMMENCING 15 APRIL 2002
3.1. Following discussion, it was AGREED that there would be one day's sitting to take place on Monday 15 April. Members noted that there was no legislative business from the Executive for that week. It was AGREED that, on this basis, the motion to debate the Committee for the Environment's Report on School Transport would be scheduled for Monday 15 April. It was also AGREED to select the Adjournment Debate, standing in the name of Mr G Kane, on the Future of Mosside Primary School, Ballymoney.
In addition, further clarification would be sought regarding Ministerial responsibility in relation to the Adjournment Debate tabled by Mr W Hay about job losses resulting from closure of Ebrington Army Barracks in Londonderry. It was AGREED that the petition from Mr K McCarthy proposed for 16 April, relating to the 'Out of Hours' GP Service in the Ards Peninsula, would be placed on the Order Paper for Monday 22 April.
The draft Order Paper was AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sitting on 15 April 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.2. Senior Appointments to the NI Assembly
The Speaker advised Members of the outcome of the recent open recruitment competitions to appoint senior Assembly secretariat. Mr Tom Evans has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive and will be taking up his post on 15 April. Mr Joe Reynolds and Ms Nuala Dunwoody have been appointed as Deputy Clerk and Clerk Assistant respectively.
4.3. Visit of the Secretary-General, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - 8 April 2002
The Speaker reminded Members of today's visit of Hon Denis Marshall QSO, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association who will address a special meeting of the NI Assembly Branch of the CPA in the End Reading Room of the Library at 12.15 pm followed by Lunch in the Private Dining Room.
4.3 Appointment of New Head of the NI Civil Service
The Speaker advised Members that the selection process to find a replacement for Mr Gerry Loughran as Head of the NICS had commenced and that it is intended that his successor will be in place in advance of the next Assembly election.
4.4. Member's Portrait - Emer Gallery
The Speaker advised Members that the Emer Gallery has commissioned individual portraits of Assembly Members and have asked for permission for the artist, Mr John McCart, to be present in the Public Gallery during today's sitting to undertake some initial sketches of the Members.
4.5. Standing Order 22 - Public Petitions
In response to a query raised by Mr Hutchinson about the handling of Public Petitions, the Speaker advised Members of current procedures in place in presenting a petition under Standing Order 22. The Speaker noted that procedures for handling Public Petitions in the Scottish Parliament were significantly different. It was AGREED that a paper would be forwarded to Members towards the end of this session highlighting, inter alia, how public petitions are handled in the Assembly, including the timescale and type of Executive response; and comparative information as to how petitions are handled in the Scottish Parliament.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1. The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Monday 15 April 2002, at 9.15 am in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 9.47 am.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker