COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES WEDNESDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 3:00 PM IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr C Murphy (Chairperson)
Mr I Davis
Mr M Morrow
Mr D McClarty
Mr P McNamee
Clerk to the Committee:
Mr C McGarrity
In attendance:
Mr J Crozier
The meeting commenced at 3.07 pm.
1. APOLOGIES
Mr Agnew, Mr Maginness, Mr Dalton.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 13 February 2002 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
3. MATTERS ARISING
Legislative Review
The Chairperson advised that the Assembly had endorsed the recommendations in the report. A number of issues had been raised during the debate, particularly relating to parity legislation and consultation on Bills on reserved matters. The Chairperson advised that he would now write to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister asking them to bring forward proposals to the Committee for dealing with parity legislation. With regard to consultation on reserved matters, members were advised that draft procedures on this were being prepared by the Clerk to the Assembly.
Action: Clerk
Assembly Commission
Members noted correspondence from the Assembly Commission advising that it was content with proposed Standing Order on appointments. Members were advised that a motion to effect the change had been tabled for 5 March.
Visit to Westminster
Arrangements to meet members of the Modernisation Committee had to be finalised. An itinerary would available at the next meeting.
Action: Clerk
Proposal for change in voting arrangements
Members noted that advice from the Assembly Legal Advisor on the proposal from the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition stated that the motion was legally competent. Members were advised that all Party whips had been advised of this and their views on the proposal were sought by 5 March. Members were reminded that the Committee would be taking evidence for the Women's Coalition on Wednesday 6 March 2002.
4. SITTINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY
4.1 Flexibility to go beyond 6:00pm
Members outlined party positions on the options identified in the briefing paper. Members were reminded that the proposal was designed to facilitate those occasions where, because business has been delayed, there is insufficient time left before 6.00pm to complete the remaining Business on the Order Paper. It did not cater for those occasions where the Business Committee wished to schedule business beyond 6.00pm. This would continue to require a suspension of Standing Order 10(2) and 10(6).
Following discussion it was agreed that Option 3 was the preferred option i.e. to allow sitting to continue at the Speaker's discretion but limit extension to one hour beyond 6.00 pm.
The Committee further agreed that it should write to the Business Committee and seek its views on the proposal.
Action: Chairperson
4.2 Earlier start to plenary on Mondays
The Committee agreed the draft amendment to Standing Orders and agreed that the views of the Business committee be sought.
Action: Clerk
4.3 Emergency business
Members outlined party positions on the options identified in the briefing paper. Following discussion Members agreed on option 3, which allowed the Business Committee to decide if an urgent motion should be considered. The Committee also agreed that it should write to the Business Committee and seek its views on the proposal. Action: Chairperson
5. COMMITTEE QUORUM
The Committee continued its deliberation of the briefing paper in the light of party views, which had been sought in the period since the previous meeting. It was agreed that:
- responsibility for drawing Chairperson's attention to loss of quorum should remain with the Committee Clerk;
- Chairperson to have discretion to allow meeting to continue inquorate;
- threshold of 3 members present;
- No decisions to be taken.
It was further agreed to inform the Chairpersons Liaison Group of option identified and to seek its views.
Action: Clerk
6. REVIEW OF COMMITTEE SYSTEMS
Members considered the briefing paper which outlined the proposed terms of reference for the review of committee systems and some of the specific issues which the Review would encompass.
The Committee agreed the terms of reference and instructed that they be submitted to the Chairpersons Liaison Group for comment.
Action: Clerk
7. STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGE
The Committee agreed that a motion proposing the amendments to Standing Orders 52 and 64 should be tabled.
Action: Clerk
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Question Time
Members noted the correspondence from the Speaker requesting a meeting with the Chair to discuss the Committees proposed consideration of this issue. Members agreed that he should meet the Speaker and then report back to the Committee.
Action: Clerk
9. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 6 March 2002 in Room 152 Parliament Buildings at 3.00 pm. The meeting adjourned at 3:42 pm.
C MURPHY
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
