MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.38 pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Ms S Ramsey
Mr D Watson
In attendance: 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: Rev R Coulter
Ms L Devlin, Executive Liaison
Mr D McClelland
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Wilson
Apologies: Mr J Tierney
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 3 September 2002 were AGREED by the Committee subject to an amendment to note that Mr PJ Bradley had indicated that Mr John Tierney was absent on health grounds, and may be absent for some time.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Westminster Legislation and Devolved Matters
It was AGREED to postpone discussion on proposed arrangements for handling Northern Ireland devolved matters included in Westminster Legislation to a future meeting.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 16 SEPTEMBER 2002
3.1 Monday, 16 September 2002
It was noted that the Minister for Regional Development had provisionally indicated that he wished to make a statement to the Assembly on 16 September 2002.
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 9 September 2002:
- First Stage:
State Pension Credit Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Consideration Stage:
Limited Liability Partnerships Bill
[Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment]
Open Ended Investment Companies Bill
[Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment]
Children (Leaving Care) Bill
[Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety]
Social Security Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
It was noted that the Minister for Social Development had tabled a motion seeking accelerated passage for the State Pension Credit Bill for debate on 16 September 2002.
It was noted that the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and the Minister of Finance and Personnel had tabled a motion on 'Review of Opportunities for Public Private Partnerships in Northern Ireland' for debate on 16 September 2002.
It was AGREED that 4 motions regarding changes to Committee Membership would be included on the Order Paper for 16 September 2002.
3.2 Tuesday, 17 September 2002
It was noted that notice had been received indicating that the following statement would be delivered to the Assembly on 17 September 2002:
New Start for Public Transport
[Minister for Regional Development]
It was noted that the Executive wished to bring the following legislation forward for the sitting on 17 September 2002:
- First Stage:
Harbours Bill
[Minister for Regional Development]
- Second Stage:
Family Law (Divorce etc) Bill
[Minister of Finance and Personnel]
State Pension Credit Bill
[Minister for Social Development]
- Further Consideration Stage:
Social Security Bill
[Minister of for Social Development]
It was AGREED to table the following motions seeking an extension of the Committee Stage of legislation:
- Employment Bill
[Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning]
- Housing Support Services Bill
[Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development]
- Housing Bill
[Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development]
It was AGREED that the 'Prayer of Annulment' motion tabled by the Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the Seeds (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (SR257/2002) would be included on the Order Paper for 17 September 2002.
It was AGREED that 1 Private Members' Motion would be scheduled for the sitting on 17 September 2002. Following discussion, Members voted on 4 proposed motions. It was AGREED that the motion on 'Hospital Waiting Lists' (55 votes) would be taken and allocated 2 hours for debate.
It was AGREED that an Adjournment debate would be scheduled for the sitting on 17 September. Following a vote, Members AGREED that 'the Future use of Gosford Castle, Markethill, Co Armagh' (58 votes) would be taken.
The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sittings on 16 and 17 September 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Plenary Sitting 10 September 2002 - Anti-sectarianism debate
The Speaker advised Members how he proposed to conduct the 'Anti-sectarianism' debate later that afternoon.
4.2 Correspondence from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
The Speaker advised Members about correspondence received from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding her plans to bring forward a motion to the Assembly in October to debate the Executive's response on the independent review carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers on her Department's handling of last year's outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.
4.3 Proposing Amendments to Motions
The Speaker advised Members of the conventions surrounding the admissibility and selection of amendments to motions.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 17 September 2002, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.44 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker