MINUTES OF THE SIXTIETH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON MONDAY 21 JUNE 2010 AT 2.00PM IN ROOM 29
Present:
The Speaker
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Pat Doherty
Rev Dr Robert Coulter
Mr Pat Ramsey
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance: Mr T Reaney, Mr T Logue, Mr R Stewart, Mr H Widdis, Ms Frances Leneghan and Ms C McGowan.
1. CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS
The Speaker informed Members that this special meeting had been called to discuss issues in relation to the Repeal of the Allowances to Members of the Assembly (Repeal) Bill and the Commission’s Report on the Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The Clerk/Director General provided Members with some detail in relation to discussions he had held with Members from the DUP who raised concerns in relation to one of the recommendations outlined by the Commission in their Report on the Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
2. FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND PENSIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY
Mr Moutray confirmed that his Party had previously agreed to support the Motion for the debate on the Commission’s Report on Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the NIA. However, following recent meetings within his Party, he confirmed that his Party was not now in a position to support the Report.
The Commission discussed the legislative impact of the not presenting the Report to the Assembly and agreed that the motion for accelerated passage of the Allowances to Members of the Assembly (Repeal) Bill scheduled for debate, later today, would not be moved leading to the second stage of the same Bill not proceeding. The Commission further agreed that the Report on the Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly would not be printed as an agreed Commission Report and not considered for debate on the 28 June 2010.
The Commission agreed that the matter would be revisited in detail at their next scheduled meeting on 22 June 2010.
The meeting ended at 2.25 pm