NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 7 MAY 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.34 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr J Tierney
Mr D Watson
In attendance:
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Mr S McCourt Clerk of Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms R Donnelly Assistant Clerk of Business
Observers:
Ms L Devlin Executive Liaison
Mr D McClelland
Mr P McNamee
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Wilson
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 29 April 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Letter from the Chairperson, Committee on Procedures regarding Amendments to Standing Orders
Following discussion on the letter from the Chairperson, Committee on Procedures regarding Amendments to Standing Order, Members confirmed their approval of:
- the proposed rewording of Standing Order 10(2) which clarifies the authority of the Business Committee to arrange an earlier start time on a Monday.
- the proposal in relation to Standing Order 10(6) regarding the flexibility to conduct business in plenary beyond 6.00 pm on a Monday.
Members AGREED that the Committee on Procedures should bring forward motions to amend Standing Orders in each case.
Members AGREED that they wished to see a draft Standing Order from the Committee on Procedures in relation to the proposal regarding the facility to introduce an urgent motion into plenary.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 13 MAY 2002
3.1 It was AGREED there would be one sitting of the Assembly week commencing 13 May 2002.
It was AGREED that the Prayer of Annulment tabled by Mr David Ford, the Northern Ireland Energy Agency motion tabled by Dr Alasdair McDonnell and two motions regarding changes to Committee membership tabled by Mr John Tierney would be scheduled for debate on 13 May. The adjournment debate tabled by Mr Kieran McCarthy on 'Lack of investment in the A20 Newtownards to Portaferry Road' would also be taken.
The draft Order Paper was AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sitting on 13 May 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Change of Party Affiliation - Mr Peter Weir
The Speaker advised Members that Mr Peter Weir's change of party affiliation to DUP would take effect from 7 May 2002 in accordance with Standing Order 3(10). Members were provided with the current analysis of party representation on Committees for information.
4.2 Congress of Local & Regional Authorities of Europe
The Speaker advised Members that, at the request of the First and Deputy First Ministers, he had agreed to be nominated as Northern Ireland representative to the Congress of Local & Regional Authorities on an interim basis until the Assembly had the opportunity to select a nominee of their own choice. The Speaker asked Members to consider nominations for this position for discussion at next week's meeting.
4.3 Updating of NI Assembly Disqualification Legislation
Members discussed a letter from the Secretary of State to the Speaker regarding the Updating of Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Legislation. After discussion, it was AGREED that a motion to appoint an Ad hoc Committee to consider this matter should be tabled in the name of Mr Ivan Davis for plenary business on 13 May 2002.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Monday 13 May 2002, at 9.30 am in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.02 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker