MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 25 JUNE 2002 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.05 pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
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: Mr D Ervine
Ms R Flanagan 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 18 June 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Visit from CODEL - Monday 1 July 2002
The Speaker reminded Members about the planned visit by Members of Congress to Parliament Buildings on 1 July 2002.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 1 JULY 2002
3.1 It was AGREED that there would be 3 sittings of the Assembly during the week commencing 1 July in order to accommodate the anticipated level of Executive business.
It was noted that provisional notice had been received indicating that the following statements would be delivered to the Assembly during the week commencing 1 July 2002:
Programme for Government Monitoring Report
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
North-South Ministerial Council - Language
[Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure]
RRI Short-Term Allocation/EPF Infrastructure Fund 2002-2003 Allocations
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
June Monitoring
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
British-Irish Council Summit
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
North-South Ministerial Council - Plenary
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
It was noted that the Minister of Finance and Personnel had tabled a motion to approve the draft Birth, Deaths and Marriages (Fees) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 for debate on 1 July 2002. It was also noted that 2 motions had been tabled by OFMDFM to affirm the Regulation of Investigatorary Powers Act 2000 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002, and to approve the draft Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 for debate on 1 July 2002.
It was AGREED that 12 motions regarding changes to Committee Membership would be included on the Order Paper on 1 July 2002.
Following discussion, it was AGREED to schedule an Adjournment debate on 'Planning and development in the immediate environs of the Stormont Estate' (55 votes) rather than a one-hour debate on 'Child Abuse' (27 votes).
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 2 July 2002:
- Second Stage:
Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill
[First Minister]
[Deputy First Minister]
- Second Stage:
Education and Libraries Bill
[Minister of Education]
It was noted that the Minister of the Environment had tabled a motion to debate the 'Application to Northern Ireland of the amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 contained in the Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs, Etc) Bill' on 2 July 2002.
It was AGREED that the First Stage of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Assembly Standards) Bill would be introduced by the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges on 2 July 2002 subject to confirmation of Secretary of State consent.
It was AGREED that the motion from the Chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee on Draft Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 to debate the Committee report would be included on the Order Paper for 2 July 2002.
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 03 July 2002:
- Second Stage:
Housing Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Second Stage:
Housing Support Services Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Second Stage:
Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
- Further Consideration Stage:
Health and Personal Social Services Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
- Final Stage:
Railway Safety Bill
[Minister for Regional Development]
It was noted that the Minister for Regional Development had tabled 2 motions to debate the 'Regional Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2002-2012' and the 'Water Resource Strategy 2002-2030' on 3 July 2002.
The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 1, 2 and 3 July 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 New Rota for Questions for Oral Answer
Members discussed and AGREED the new Rota for Questions for Oral Answer to cover the period 9 September - 21 October 2002.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 To be arranged.
The meeting adjourned at 1.40 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker