COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
Minutes of Proceedings
WEDNESDAY, 22nd OCTOBER 2008
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Vivien Ireland (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Claire Cassidy (Assembly Research)
Apologies:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr David McClarty
Mr Ken Robinson
The meeting opened at 2.03 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 8 th October 2008
Agreed: that the draft minutes of the meeting held on 8 th October were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Members discussed and noted the comments made on the website extracts from both the ‘Devenport Diaries’ British Broadcasting Corporation and Slugger O’Toole regarding the evidence taken from the representatives of the Stormont Correspondents Association to the Committee on Assembly Question Time.
Members also noted the follow up information on Wroxton College.
4. Inquiry into Assembly Questions
Assembly Research provided follow up information to the Committee on the following issues: topical questions in the House of Commons; advisory cost limit of parliamentary questions and government departments referring members of the Dáil to departmental websites for information.
2.13 pm Mr Adrian McQuillan joined the meeting.
The Committee took evidence from Professor Rick Wilford, Queens University regarding his work on procedures relating to ‘Parliamentary Questions’ in a number of legislatures. The session was recorded by Hansard.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send Professor Rick Wilford the Stormont live viewing figures which were obtained from Mark Devenport, British Broadcasting Corporation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request information on what protocols are in place for Ministers to answer Assembly Questions.
Members raised the following issues to be noted for the inquiry report: freedom of information requests being complementary to written questions; welcoming informality and cutting down on the number of questions tabled by members; examining the timing issues involved with a question asked by a member and the answer given by a Minister along with splitting Question Time over two days instead of one.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the Speaker and Deputy Speakers to explain their role in Question Time to members.
The Committee was advised by the clerk that it was envisaged that the junior Ministers would attend the next evidence session on Assembly Questions scheduled for 5 th November however this will be subject to the agreement of the Executive at its next meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it will examine statistics provided by the Business Office on Departmental performance in answering written Assembly Questions at its next meeting on 5 th November. It also agreed that it will subsequently invite officials from Departments to discuss their relevant performance in this area.
Apologies were received from Mervyn Storey and Ken Robinson as they will not be attending the next Committee meeting to be held on 5th November.
5. Abstentions in Voting & SO27
Members considered a number of options available for the Committee for a system to allow for the recording of an abstention. The Committee was advised by the clerk that a member abstaining was not recorded in the total number of votes and that this would need to be made clear in the Standing Order.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to obtain the views of party whips on the options. In addition, members would also welcome and consider any other suggestions put forward by party whips on this issue.
Members also considered a number of options regarding the issue of securing doors in relation to SO27 – Voting where the Speaker’s decision is challenged.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Standing Order 27(3) should reflect current practice.
6. Any Other Business
Members noted that the debate on private bills will take place on 3rd November 2008 and is scheduled for the first item of business.
Members were advised of the forthcoming meeting with the draftsperson on 29th October 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that members will contact the Committee staff to confirm whether or not they will be attending the meeting with the draftsperson.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5th November 2008 at 2.00 pm in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.17 pm.