BUSINESS COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2006
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

MINUTES

The meeting began at 12.40 pm

Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr D Bradley
Mr M Copeland
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Mr P McGuigan
Lord Morrow

Present (secretariat): Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk

In attendance: Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms P Carson Speaker’s Office

Observers: Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr J Wells Deputy Speaker
Mr L Heggarty NIO
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM

1. Arrangements for forthcoming plenary meetings

1.1 The Speaker reported that the Secretary of State had written to her, indicating that he was keen that the Assembly should meet during the following week to debate the work of the Preparation for Government Committee (PFG) in relation to Rights, Safeguards, Equality Issues and Victims. A copy of the Secretary of State’s letter was provided to members. The Speaker advised that the Secretary of State had asked the Business Committee for advice on the best timing for debate.

1.2 Members noted that a meeting of the PFG was scheduled to take place on Monday 25 September. The practicalities surrounding printing and distribution of the report were also considered, after which four of the five parties agreed that Tuesday 26 September should be recommended to the Secretary of State as the date for debate. The four parties further agreed that one day would be sufficient to allow contributions from interested Members.

1.3 Sinn Fein indicated that the party would not support the proposal to debate the report, adding that the Preparation for Government Committee had failed to reach a consensus on printing the report or on any related motion.

1.4 The Speaker advised that, in the event that a sitting was directed to discuss the report, provision of a motion for debate was a matter for the Secretary of State, and that there would be no requirement for the motion to be moved.

1.5 Parties (other than Sinn Fein) agreed that an upper limit of 15 minutes should again be applied to Members’ speeches. They further agreed that distribution arrangements for the report should be the same as those for the previous week’s report.

2. Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

2.1 The Speaker reminded members that they had agreed to meet on Tuesday 26 September 2006 at 12.30 in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.50 pm.

The Speaker