NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 28 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
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:
Prof Nexhat Daci President of the Assembly of Kosovo
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk
Ms L Devlin Executive Liaison
Ms J Morrice
Mr D McClelland
Apologies:
Mr J Tierney
Mr D Watson
1. SPEAKER'S BUSINESS
The Speaker welcomed the President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Professor Nexhat Daci, in his observation of the proceedings of the Business Committee.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 21 May 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
3. MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Nominations of Congress of Local & Regional Authorities of Europe
The Speaker encouraged Members to provide details of their preferred nominations to the Congress of Local & Regional Authorities of Europe for consideration by the Assembly.
3.2 Update on the Kosovo Assembly Delegation Visit
The Speaker reminded Members of the need to provide nominations to the Overseas Office in respect of party presentations scheduled for Wednesday, 29 May 2002.
4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETING 28 MAY 2002
4.1 The Speaker advised Members that two amendments had been selected in respect of the Crime Rates motion due for debate later that day and clarified how he intended to conduct the debate. The Speaker requested that Members should indicate the names of party colleagues who intended to speak to the motion in order to allocate appropriate speaking times if necessary.
5. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 3 JUNE 2002
5.1 It was noted that the Executive had provisionally indicated that the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety would deliver statements to the Assembly on 5 June 2002.
It was noted that the First Stage of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill and the Second Stage of the Employment Bill would be brought forward by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Employment and Learning respectively, for the sitting on 5 June 2002.
It was also noted that two Executive motions would be included on the Order Paper for debate on 5 June 2002. The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment had tabled a motion proposing that certain transferred consumer protection measures in the Enterprise Bill be applied UK-wide as opposed to undertaking separate Northern Ireland legislation. In addition the Junior Ministers had tabled a motion to debate 'The Future of Europe'. It was AGREED to allocate 1 hour and 2 hours respectively to these motions.
It was AGREED that the petition from Mr Alban Maginness relating to 'the siting of a Telecommunications Mast at Somerton Road, Belfast' and the Adjournment Debate, standing in the name of Dr Ian Adamson, on 'planning and development in the immediate environs of the Stormont Estate' would be included on the Order Paper for 5 June 2002.
5.2 The draft Order Paper was AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sitting on 5 June 2002.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 There were no other items of business raised.
7. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
7.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Wednesday 5 June 2002, at 1.00 pm (or just after the rise of the Assembly for lunch) in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.08 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker