NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 21 MAY 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.36 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
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
Ms J Morrice
Mr D McClelland
Mr P McNamee
Apologies:
Mr J Tierney (see 4.1)
Mr D Watson
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 13 May 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Review of Questions
After discussion, Members AGREED to forward the Review of Questions paper prepared by the Business Office to the Committee on Procedures.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 27 MAY 2002
3.1 It was noted that the Executive had provisionally indicated that the Minister of Finance and Personnel plans to deliver two statements to the Assembly on Monday, 27 May 2002.
It was AGREED that three motions to Amend Standing Orders tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures and a motion on change to Committee membership tabled by Mr M Morrow would be added to the Order Paper for 27 May 2002. The Speaker reminded Members of the long standing agreement that Motions proposing replacements in the membership of Committees may be included on the Order Paper up to 2.00pm on Thursdays without prior consent of the Business Committee.
Following discussion, it was AGREED that the Adjournment Debate, standing in the name of Mr T Gallagher, on 'the Impact of the Aggregates Tax on businesses in Fermanagh and South Tyrone' would be included on the Order Paper for 27 May 2002.
3.2 It was noted that the First Stage of the Employment Bill and the Second Stage of the Open-Ended Investment Companies Bill would be brought forward by the Minister for Employment and Learning and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment respectively, for the sitting on Tuesday, 28 May 2002.
It was AGREED that the petition from Mr A Maginness relating to 'the siting of a Telecommunications Mast at the Cavehill Road, Belfast' and the Adjournment Debate, standing in the name of Ms P Lewsley, on 'the lack of service provision for adults with learning difficulties at Wallace Day Centre, Lisburn' would be included on the Order Paper for 28 May 2002.
Following discussion, it was AGREED to schedule two 1½-hour debates and one 2-hour debate for Tuesday's sitting. Members AGREED to include the following motions on the Order Paper for Tuesday, 28 May 2002:
| One Elected Position | tabled by Ms J Morrice, Ms M McWilliams (allocated 1½ hours) |
| Crime Rates | tabled by Mr S Wilson (allocated 2 hours) |
| Joint Parliamentary Forum | tabled by Ms E Bell, Mr S Close, Mr D Ford, Mr K McCarthy (allocated 1½ hours) |
3.3 The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 27 and 28 May 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Condolences
The Speaker asked that condolences be sent to Mr J Tierney on the recent death of his sister.
4.2 Forthcoming visit of the President of the Assembly of Kosovo
The Speaker updated Members on the arrangements for the visit by the President of the Assembly of Kosovo and a delegation of Kosovar politicians to the Assembly on 27 - 29 May 2002.
4.3 Point of Order - Mr D Ford
Mr K McCarthy requested clarification on the point of order raised by Mr D Ford in the Chamber on Monday, 20 May 2002. This related to procedural inconsistency in suspending business to accommodate Members or Ministers who were not present in the Chamber to move items of business standing in their names. The Speaker confirmed that he would respond to the point of order in the Chamber on Monday, 27 May 2002. The Speaker acknowledged the recent inconsistency and clarified that the previous ruling on 'moving on' would be implemented more consistently in future, and so, if a Member or Minister is not in the Chamber to move his/her item of business, the item will fall and business will move on.
4.4 Media Coverage of The Queen's visit to the Assembly
Members discussed the recent media coverage of the visit by The Queen to Parliament Buildings.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 28 May 2002, at 12.30 pm (or just after the rise of the Assembly for lunch) in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.26 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker