COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2007
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson
In attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Lord Browne
The meeting opened in public session at 2.00 p.m.
Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
In the absence of the Chairperson, Mr Neeson provided the Committee with an update on the refurbishment of the Chamber. Mr Neeson reported that the Refurbishment Steering Group had presented their findings to the Commission and that a decision on the way forward was expected at the end of the week.
2.02 p.m. Mr Adrian McQuillan arrived.
3. Draft minutes of the Meeting held on 28 November 2007
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Agreed: Members agreed to provide a response to the proposed amendment to Standing Order 15 at the next meeting.
5. Committee Systems and Structures
The Committee were briefed by Professor Rick Wilford, Queens University, Belfast on Committee Systems and Structures.
2.22 p.m. Mr Ken Robinson arrived.
A question and answer session ensued.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked Professor Wilford for his informative briefing.
The Committee were given a progress report by Ms Stephanie Galbraith, Assembly Research and Library Services on Committee Systems and Structures.
The Deputy Chairperson thanks Ms Galbraith for her presentation.
Agreed: Members agreed that the cut off date for compilation of results from the survey should be 14 December 2007.
6. Voting - Options
The Committee discussed a number of potential options in relation to the procedure for voting.
Agreed: The Clerk agreed to provide further information on the provision of additional lobby clerks during a division and to include detail on the option of a “swipe card”.
7. Ministerial Statements
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer their consideration of this matter until the next meeting on 9 January 2008.
8. New Standing Order
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer their consideration of this matter until the next meeting on 9 January 2008.
9. Amendments to Standing Order 25(2)
Agreed: The Committee agreed that no change to Standing Order 25(2) was required.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee on Administration and Justice (CAJ) regarding an Assembly debate on the Bill of Rights Forum.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the CAJ and other interested organisations should be invited to submit written representation to the Committee for consideration at the next meeting on 9 January 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that clarification should be sought on whether the letter from the Speaker intended the Committee to look at the Right of Reply aspect.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Business Committee and the Audit Committee requesting that the Committee on Procedures bring forward an amendment to Standing Order 49, 50 and 53 respectively to incorporate the power to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to progress an amendment to Standing Orders 49, 50 and 53 to incorporate powers to call for persons and papers.
11. Any other business
There was no other business.
12. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 9 January 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.17 p.m.