NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.33 pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Ms S Ramsey
In attendance: Mr J Reynolds, Deputy Clerk
Ms N Dunwoody, Clerk Assistant
Mr A Rogers, Principal Clerk of Business
Mr S McCourt, Clerk of Business
Mr R Good, Adviser to the Speaker
Ms G Campbell, Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms R Donnelly, Assistant Clerk of Business
Observers: Ms R Flanagan, Executive Liaison
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Wilson
Apologies: Mr J Tierney
Mr D Watson
1. SPEAKER'S BUSINESS
1.1 The Speaker welcomed Ms Sue Ramsey to her first Business Committee meeting.
1.2 The Speaker informed Members that Mr Arthur Doherty had resigned from the Assembly and had been replaced by Mr Michael Coyle as a Member of the Assembly for the East Londonderry constituency. It was confirmed that Mr Coyle would be formally introduced to the Assembly at Plenary on 9 September 2002.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 25 June 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
3. MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Nominations to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe
The Speaker reminded Members to forward details of their nominations to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe to the Business Office by means of a Private Members' Motion.
4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 9 SEPTEMBER 2002
4.1 Monday, 9 September 2002
It was noted that provisional notice had been received indicating that the following statements would be delivered to the Assembly on 9 September 2002:
North-South Ministerial Council - Trade
[Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment]
North-South Ministerial Council - Food Safety & Health
[Minister of Health, Social Services & Public Safety]
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 9 September 2002:
- First Stage:
Family Law (Divorce etc) Bill
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
Areas of Special Scientific Interest Bill
[Minister of the Environment]
Social Security Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Final Stage:
Health and Personal Social Services Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
It was noted that the Minister for Social Development had tabled a motion seeking accelerated passage for the Social Security Bill for debate on 9 September 2002.
It was AGREED that the motion tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Regional Development seeking an extension of the Committee Stage of the Strategic Planning Bill would be included on the Order Paper for 9 September 2002.
It was AGREED that the petition from Mr Ian Paisley Jnr relating to 'Traffic problems at Tardree Grove, Ballymena' would be included on the Order Paper for 9 September 2002.
Following discussion, it was AGREED that the Private Members' Motion on 'Fire Fighters' Pay' would be taken on 9 September 2002 and allocated 2 hours for debate.
4.2. Tuesday, 10 September 2002
It was noted that provisional notice had been received indicating that the following statement would be delivered to the Assembly on 10 September 2002:
North-South Ministerial Council - Waterways
[Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure]
It was noted that, subject to accelerated passage having been agreed, the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 10 September 2002:
- Second Stage:
Social Security Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
It was AGREED that the Second Stage of the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Assembly Standards) Bill, being brought forward by the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, would be scheduled for debate on 10 September 2002.
It was AGREED that two Private Members' Motions would be scheduled for the sitting on 10 September 2002. Following discussion, Members voted on 4 proposed motions. It was AGREED that the motions on 'Asperger's Syndrome' (55 votes) and 'Anti-sectarianism' (46 votes) would be taken and allocated 1 hour and 2½ hours respectively. The motions on 'Preserving Stormont Estate' (31 votes) and 'Dissolution of Assembly' (22 votes) were not selected.
It was AGREED that an Adjournment debate would be scheduled for the sitting on 10 September. Following discussion, Members voted on 5 proposed topics and it was AGREED that 'A Class Roads in West Tyrone' (42 votes) would be taken.
The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 9 and 10 September 2002.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Legislative Programme 2002/2003
The Speaker advised Members about correspondence received from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding the 2002/2003 Legislative Programme. The Speaker also referred the Committee to a paper prepared by the Clerk Assistant regarding this matter.
5.2. Recess Dates
Members AGREED the recess dates for the 2002/2003 session.
5.3 Draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order
Members discussed a letter from the Minister of State, Ms Jane Kennedy to the Speaker regarding a proposal for a Draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2002. After discussion, it was AGREED that a motion to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to consider this matter should be tabled in the name of Ms Monica McWilliams for Plenary business on 9 September 2002.
5.4 Consultation on Draft Proposals for the Statutory Victim Information Scheme
The Speaker advised Members about correspondence received from the Minister of State, Ms Jane Kennedy regarding her plans to consult publicly on draft proposals for the statutory victim information scheme on the release of prisoners required under the provisions of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002.
5.5 Westminster Legislation and Devolved Matters
The Speaker tabled a paper prepared by the Principal Clerk of Business on proposed arrangements for handling Northern Ireland devolved matters included in Westminster legislation. This matter will be discussed at a future meeting.
5.6 Portrait of the Assembly in Session
The Speaker advised Members that a portrait of the current Assembly was being undertaken by the artist Mr Noel Murphy on behalf of the Assembly Commission. The portrait is due for completion by the end of December 2002. The artist may take the opportunity of making preparatory sketches during sittings and Members should be advised of this by their Whips.
6. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
6.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 10 September 2002, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.28 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker