COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
Minutes of Proceedings
Wednesday, 28th May
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Declan O’Loan
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Wendy Young (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ken Robinson
The meeting opened at 2.04pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s business
Mr Mickey Brady was welcomed to the Committee, Mr Brady made a declaration of no relevant interests.
The Members notes a visit by the Dail Procedures and Privilege Committee on Tuesday 17 th June.
Agreed: The Members agreed they would indicate to the Clerk if they could meet with the Dail Procedures & Privilege Committee on Tuesday 17 th June.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2008
Agreed - the draft minutes of the meeting held on 14 th May were agreed.
4. Matters arising
2.08pm Mr M. Storey joined the meeting.
The Chairperson reminded Members of the previous discussion on Amendments to Amendments and Members relayed the outcome of the consultation held with their parties.
SDLP indicated no interest in taking this issue further at this time and will keep the issue under review.
Sinn Fein indicated that they would convey their party position at the next meeting.
DUP indicated they are content to keep the status quo and will keep the issue under review.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the issue of amendments to amendments would not be considered again unless requested by a Committee Member.
5. Private Bills
2.13pm Mr A. McQuillan joined the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee noted the advice from legal services and the agreed the draft policy as amended.
Agreed: The Committee noted and agreed the document tabled at the meeting detailing the proposed amendments to the Section on Members Interests.
The Committee discussed the cost and timescale for drafting Standing Orders and noted that further advice would be provided.
The Committee noted the Interim Director General’s nomination of the Director of Clerking and Reporting to undertake the role of “Examiner of Private Bills.”
6. Standing Order 50
The Committee noted the amendments to Standing Order 50 as agreed by the Business Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that they are content that the motion goes to Plenary the last week before summer Recess.
7. Nominating Officer
Agreed: The Committee noted and agreed the definition of Nominating Officer suggested by the draftsperson and noted that the motion will go to Plenary the last week before summer Recess.
The Committee noted the on-going work being done on amending the definition of Working Days.
8. Statements
The Committee noted the correspondence from OFMDFM.
9. Review of Standing Orders
The Committee considered the table detailing the Standing Orders reviewed and those requiring review.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to bring to the Clerk’s attention any other Standing Orders they wished to be reviewed.
Agreed: The Members agreed to discuss with their respective parties the issue of abstaining in voting (SO26).
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Standing Order 26 should include the implications of tellers not being nominated.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Standing Order 26 should indicate that the Speaker can call for a division.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that grammatical and technical changes should be made to Standing Orders in the summer reprint. These changes include renumbering, lower case for committee, chairperson, member, etc., replacement of the word Chair’ with ‘chairperson’ and to update the titles of officials according to the Review of the Secretariat.
10. Forward Work Programme for 2008/2009
Agreed: The Committee discussed and agreed the Forward Work Programme for Parliament year 2008/2009 and agreed to include inquiries into Assembly questions, legislative consent, amendments to bills by Statutory Committees and adjournment debates.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that research should be commissioned on possible good practise visits relevant to the inquiries.
Mr Mickey Brady requested details on the average length of time taken for an adjournment debate.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted the correspondence from the Speaker and OFMDFM.
12. Any Other Business
Agreed: The Committee noted and agreed the press release for the Committee Systems and Structure Report.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11 th June 2008 at 2.00 in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.05pm.