Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr David McClarty
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Declan O’Loan

In attendance: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Eithne Knappitsch (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Gwyneth Deconink (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Lord Browne
Raymond McCartney
Sean Neeson
Mr Ken Robinson

The meeting opened in public session at 10.35 am.

  1. Apologies.

    2. Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Chairperson’s Business.

    2. The Chairperson advised Members to be mindful that the Committee was operating at quorum strength.

  1. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2008.

    2. Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2008 were agreed.

  1. Matters arising.

    2. The Committee was informed that letters of thanks had been sent to the various Members and officials who hosted the Committee visit to the Irish Parliament.

  2. Standing Order 15 – Amendments.

    3. The Chairperson advised Members that there was insufficient time to consider this issue and suggested that the Clerk place it on the agenda for the next meeting.

    Agreed: Members agreed to defer deliberations on the amendments to Standing Order 15 until the next meeting.

  3. Matters of the Day.

    4. The Chairperson advised Members that there was insufficient time to consider any issues arising and suggested that such issues be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

    Agreed: Members agreed to defer issues arising under Matters of the Day until the next meeting.

    Private Legislation Inquiry – Oral Evidence Session

  4. Briefing from the Scottish Parliament.

    5. The Committee took oral evidence from David Cullum and Jane Sutherland from the Non-Executive Bills Unit of the Scottish Parliament. A question and answer session followed.

  5. Briefing from the Assembly Research Services.

    6. Ms Claire Cassidy of the Assembly Research Services briefed the Committee on the procedures governing private legislation in other legislatures.

  6. Briefing from the House of Commons.

    7. The Committee took oral evidence from Mr Alan Sandall, Acting Clerk of Bills at the House of Commons. A question and answer session followed.

    The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.14pm

    The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 12.23pm

  7. Briefing from the Society of Parliamentary Agents.

    8. The Committee took oral evidence from Mr Alastair Lewis, Mr Robert Owen and Mrs Alison Gorlov from the Society of Parliamentary Agents. A question and answer session followed.

    The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 1.13pm
    Mr Clarke left the meeting at 1.13pm
    The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 2.01pm.
    Mr O’Loan and Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 2.01pm

  8. Briefing from the National Trust.

    9. The Committee took oral evidence from Mr Diane Ruddock and Mr Graham Thompson of the National Trust. A question and answer session followed.

  9. Briefing from Derry City Council.

    10. The Committee took oral evidence from Mr Damien McMahon, City Secretary and Solicitor to Derry City Council. A question and answer session followed.

    The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 2.58pm.
    The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 3.16pm.

  10. Briefing from the Law Society.

    11. The Committee took oral evidence from Mr Alan Hunter, Law Society President and Mr Donald Eakin, Law Society Chief Executive. A question and answer session followed.

  11. Written Submissions.

    12. The Chairperson informed Members that a number of organisations provided written submissions but did not wish to give oral evidence. Members noted these written submissions.

    The Committee considered the written submission from the Department for Regional Development. The Clerk informed Members that the Department did not envisage using the private legislation process for transport projects and asked Members to consider whether oral evidence from the Department would be required.

    Agreed: Members agreed that it was not necessary to request oral evidence from the Department.

  12. Date, time and place of the next meeting.

    13. The date of the next meeting will be 5 March 2008 at 2.00 pm in Room 152.

    The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.47 p.m.

LORD MORROW,
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
Wednesday, 20th February 2008.

23 January 08 / Menu