MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 5th MARCH 2002

MINUTES OF THE FORTY SIXTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

HELD ON TUESDAY 5 MARCH 2002 AT 3:00 PM IN ROOM 106

PRESENT: The Speaker
Dr D O'Hagan
Rev R Coulter
Mr J Wells
Mrs E Bell
Mr J Fee

IN THE CHAIR: The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr A Moir, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr T Evans, Mr P Carlisle, Mr D Millar in attendance (for item 2)

1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the forty-fifth meeting of the Assembly Commission, held on 19 February 2002, were accepted.

2. CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS

21. Publication of Members' Allowances

The Speaker reported that OCA figures for 1999 / 00 year had been removed from the website because they had been incorrect. Mr Moir advised that his office had undertaken an investigation into the matter and tabled a paper recommending additional checks to be put in place. Members agreed that these be implemented immediately.

Mr Fee proposed that figures are copied directly to Members prior to publication to allow them to check for accuracy. The Speaker stated that this would be acceptable provided a specified date of return was agreed.

The Speaker advised that he would return to this matter after the discussion on cultural displays.

Mr Wells arrived at 15:40.

3. CULTURAL DISPLAYS

3.1 The Speaker introduced the matter by reminding Members that the issue needed to be concluded and invited Members to speak to the matter.

Mr Wells stated that he would be content to support a symbol that was not offensive to those that he and his party represented. He stated that his Party, Roger Hutchinson, Denis Watson and Robert McCartney, who had allocated their votes to him, giving a total of 25 votes, had instructed that he table the proposal:

"that there be no display of Easter lilies this Easter".

The Speaker asked if there were any amendments to the proposal.

Mr Fee stated that he had a different proposal, namely:

"that Easter lilies be on display at Easter, orange lilies in early
summer and shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day"

Rev Coulter stated that he had discussed the matter with party colleagues. He stated that he saw no comparison or equality between the poppy and the lily and that, whilst he would prefer that lilies were not displayed, if this change was not accepted, he would reluctantly agree to the display of shamrock, orange and Easter lilies.

Mrs Bell stated that her party saw no parity between the poppy and the lily. She agreed with Mr Fee's proposal and would be willing to second it.

Mr Wells stated that he had no problems with the display of shamrocks at Easter.

Dr O'Hagan stated that her Party saw the matter as being a straightforward matter of equality.

Mr Wells stated again that he was content with the display of shamrocks and that he would amend his proposal to read:

"that shamrocks replace the Easter lily".

The Speaker asked, given the need for Members to attend the debate in the Chamber, whether Members wished to come back to the matter at a later stage of the meeting or whether Members wished the matter to go to the vote. Mr Fee asked that the matter be voted on.

The Speaker called for a vote on Mr Wells' proposal:

"that shamrocks replace the Easter lily".

Rev Coulter and Mr Wells voted in favour of the proposal. Mrs Bell, Dr O'Hagan and Mr Fee voted against.

Mr Wells asked for clarification of the vote. Mr Evans stated that the vote stood 53 in favour of the proposal, 47 against. The Speaker declared that the proposal had been passed.

Mr Fee asked that the meeting be adjourned in order that consideration be given to the result of the vote.

The Speaker adjourned the meeting at 16:00.