Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government

14 August 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 14 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy

Present: P J Bradley
Gregory Campbell MP
Dr Sean Farren
David Ford
Danny Kennedy
Patricia Lewsley
Naomi Long
Alan McFarland
Michael McGimpsey 
Conor Murphy MP
John O’Dowd
Peter Robinson MP

In Attendance: Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Christine Darrah (Assembly Clerk)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Pauline Innes (Clerical Officer)
David Douglas (Clerical Officer)

Observing Jim Wells (Chairperson)

Brian Barrington (SDLP Researcher) 
Stephen Farry (Alliance Researcher)
Mark Neal (UUPAG researcher) 
Philip Weir (DUP Researcher)


The meeting commenced at 10.03am.

1. Apologies

Mr Durkan MP (Mr Bradley attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan MP)

Ms Gildernew MP 

Dr McCrea MP

Dr McDonnell MP (Ms Lewsley attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell MP)

Mr McNarry (Mr McGimpsey attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr McNarry)

Lord Morrow (Mr Campbell MP attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Lord Morrow)

Mr Paisley (Mr Robinson attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley)

Mr McGuinness MP (Mr O’Dowd attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuinness MP)

2. Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of Monday, 7 August 2006 were agreed.

3. Guidance Notes on Members’ and Committee Bills in the NI Assembly

The Committee noted the guidance provided to Members during the last Assembly on the procedures for introducing Members’ and Committee Bills, including gaining access to the Assembly Legislative Drafting Service.

4. Discussion on Institutional Issues

Mr Wells joined the meeting at 11.08am.

It was agreed that a mechanism is needed to ensure institutional stability.

It was agreed that, in accordance with the decision of the Committee of 7 August 2006, the issue of the Assembly Voting System should be referred to a review committee/mechanism of the Assembly

The meeting was suspended at 12.19pm.

The meeting was reconvened at 12.50.

Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12.50pm.

Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 12.50pm.

Mr Robinson MP proposed that the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister should be filled by asking the Nominating Officer of the largest party of the largest designation and the Nominating Officer of the largest party of the second largest designation to identify their nominees for the posts of First Minister and Deputy First Minister respectively. There was not consensus and the proposal fell.

It was agreed, in principle, that certain public appointments should be brought to the Executive for endorsement.

It was agreed that an agreed Ministerial Code should be put on a statutory footing.

It was agreed that the Ministerial Code should be used to increase collectivity and ensure Ministerial colleagues inform each other of major decisions.

It was agreed to ask the Secretary of State to provide a copy of the draft Ministerial Code with a view to reaching an agreed position that can be put into legislation.

It was agreed that incorporating support for the rule of law in the Pledge of Office should be considered at the PFG Committee meeting dealing with law and order issues and during detailed consideration of the draft Ministerial Code.

It was agreed that information should be requested for the Committee on the decision making processes within the Executive and the options.

It was agreed that, at an early stage and in consultation with all relevant interests in the Assembly, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister should review:-

(a) the number of Ministerial offices to be held by NI Ministers, and

(b) the functions to be exercisable by the holder of each such office, including their own,

and bring recommendations to the Assembly.

It was agreed to review the ways in which civic society engages with the Assembly.

5. Sub-group on the Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland

It was agreed that the sub-group on the Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland should take evidence from the NI Youth Forum after the report deadline of 25 August 2006 and that an addendum to its report would be accepted provided it was submitted before the plenary debate.

6. Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Wednesday, 16 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings to discuss issues relating to the law and order.

It was agreed that the meeting on Monday, 21 August 2006 would be an all-day meeting with lunch provided.

The meeting adjourned at 3.26pm.