NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.37 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr J Tierney
Mr D Watson
In attendance:
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk Assistant
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Mr S McCourt Clerk of Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Observers:
Ms R Flanagan Executive Liaison
Mr D McClelland
Mr J Wilson
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 11 June 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. SPEAKER'S BUSINESS
2.1 The Speaker informed Members that he received a letter from Mr Eddie McGrady MP apologising to the Speaker and Members of the Business Committee for not being present in the Chamber on 17 June 2002 to move his motion on 'Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict'.
3. MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) Bill
The Speaker informed Members that, following scrutiny by the Assembly's Legal Adviser of the proposed motion for the purpose of including Northern Ireland in the provisions of the Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) Bill, he was not satisfied that the motion was a competent one. The Speaker informed the Minister of the Environment of his decision on 12 June 2002 and subsequently received further advice, including an amended motion, on 13 June 2002. Having sought further legal advice the Speaker informed the Minister, on 17 June 2002, that the amended motion was not competent and therefore could not appear on the Order Paper.
4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 24 JUNE 2002
4.1 It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 24 June 2002:
- First Stage:
Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
- First Stage:
Housing Support Services Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- First Stage:
Education and Libraries Bill
[Minister of Education]
- First Stage:
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
- Second Stage:
Planning (Amendment) Bill
[Minister of the Environment]
- Consideration Stage:
Health and Personal Social Services Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
- Further Consideration Stage:
Railway Safety Bill
[Minister for Regional Development]
- Further Consideration Stage:
Budget (No 2) Bill
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
It was AGREED that the motion from the Chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee on Disqualification Legislation to debate the Committee report would be included on the Order Paper for 24 June 2002.
It was AGREED that the motion tabled by the Assembly Commission to debate its First Report would be included on the Order Paper for 24 June 2002.
It was noted that, given the level of Executive Business anticipated for 24 June 2002, a motion to suspend Standing Orders had been tabled by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It was also noted that the First Minister and Deputy First Minister had tabled a motion to debate the Review of Public Administration on 24 June 2002.
It was AGREED that the petitions from Ms Eileen Bell and Mr Billy Armstrong relating to 'The siting of a proposed sewage treatment plant in Donaghadee' and 'The reduction of funding for Knockloughrim Primary School' respectively would be included on the Order Paper for 24 June 2002.
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislative stages forward for the sitting on 25 June 2002, namely:
- First Stage:
Housing Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Second Stage:
Strategic Planning Bill
[Minister for Regional Development]
- Second Stage:
Marriage Bill
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
- Second Stage:
Pollution, Prevention and Control Bill
[Minister of the Environment]
- Final Stage:
Budget (No. 2) Bill
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
It was AGREED that 5 motions tabled by the Assembly Commission in respect of the 'Report by the Senior Salaries Review Body' would be included on the Order Paper for 25 June 2002.
It was AGREED that the motion tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment seeking an extension of the Committee Stage of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill would also be included on the Order Paper for 25 June 2002.
The Speaker informed Members that a Private Members' Motion had been tabled by Members of the Assembly Commission on 'Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme' pending official clearance at a forthcoming meeting of the Commission. It was AGREED that this motion would be included on the Order Paper for 25 June 2002.
It was noted that provisional notice had been received that the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure planned to deliver a statement on 'Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland' to the Assembly on 25 June 2002.
The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 24 and 25 June 2002.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 25 June 2002, at 1.00 pm (or just after the rise of the Assembly for lunch) in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.17 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker