NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 11 JUNE 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.40 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
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 G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms R Donnelly Assistant Clerk of Business
Observers:
Ms R Flanagan Executive Liaison
Rev. R Coulter
Ms J Morrice
Dr A McDonnell
Mr J Wilson
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 5 June 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 17 JUNE 2002
2.1 It was noted that the First Stage of the Marriage Bill and the Second Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill would be brought forward by the Minister of Finance and Personnel for the sitting on 17 June 2002.
It was noted that the Minister of the Environment would bring forward the First Stage of the Pollution Prevention and Control Bill and a motion to affirm the Local Government (General Grant) Order. Members discussed whether a motion tabled by the Minister of the Environment regarding the inclusion of Northern Ireland devolved matters in the provisions of the Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) Bill should be included on the Order Paper for 17 June as it had not yet received Executive Committee approval. Following a vote on a proposal to exclude the motion from the Order Paper (50 votes for and 50 votes against), the proposal fell. It was AGREED however, that the motion would be included on the Order Paper if its competency was confirmed by the Speaker.
Following discussion, it was AGREED to schedule two Private Members' Motions for the sitting on 17 June 2002. It was AGREED that the motions on 'Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict' and 'Care of Special School Leavers' would be taken and allocated 1 hour and 1½ hours for debate respectively.
2.2 It was noted that the Second Stages of the Insolvency Bill and the Company Directors Disqualification Bill would be brought forward by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and the Second Stage of the Local Air Quality Management Bill would be brought forward by the Minister of the Environment for the sitting on 18 June 2002. It was also noted that the Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill would be brought forward by the Minister of Finance and Personnel for 18 June 2002.
It was AGREED that the motion to debate the Committee for Social Development's report on its Inquiry into Housing in Northern Ireland (Homelessness) would be included on the Order Paper for 18 June 2002 and allocated 2½ hours for debate.
Following discussion, it was AGREED to schedule two Private Members' Motions for the sitting on 18 June 2002. It was AGREED that the motions on 'TSN Criteria' and 'Neutral Working Environment' would be taken and allocated 1½ hours each for debate.
2.2 The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 17 and 18 June 2002.
3. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
3.1 Review of the Legislative Programme
Members considered correspondence from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the Review of the Legislative Programme. It was AGREED to confirm to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister the Business Committee's commitment to accommodate the Executive's anticipated level of business within the bounds of proper legislative scrutiny by the Assembly.
3.2 Assembly Commission
The Speaker advised Members that 5 motions had been tabled by the Assembly Commission, and a further 2 were anticipated. The Commission had requested that all 7 motions be scheduled for debate during the week commencing 24 June 2002.
4. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
4.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 18 June 2002, at 12.30 pm (or just after the rise of the Assembly for lunch) in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.20 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker