MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2000 AT 12.30 pm
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mrs I Robertson
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

In attendance: Mr M Barnes Ms G Campbell
Mr J Reynolds Mr N Johnston
Mr J Gillespie

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Provision of Official Papers: Members had previously been circulated with a paper on this issue. The Speaker invited Members to forward comments on the arrangements for circulating official papers to Members.

Procedure for Tabling Amendments: The Speaker advised the Committee that this issue was now a matter for the Procedures Committee.

Questions and Answers to Ministers: The Speaker advised Members on the conventions in other places. He suggested that Members should refer to their inability to attend all of a debate where appropriate. The Speaker referred Members to Standing Order 71 in relation to Ministers replying in a language other than English. On the matter of simultaneous translation, the Speaker advised Members that an estimate of the costs involved was available, and that this matter would be raised again with the Assembly Commission.

3. FORTHCOMING BUSINESS

The order of Business was agreed (see attached Order Paper).

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Press Facilities in Central Hall: The Speaker undertook to review the facilities offered to the press in Central Hall to provide clearer passage for Members.

Impromptu meetings of the Whips: Mr Murphy reported his concern about an attempt to re-arrange the meeting of the Business Committee without consultation involving his Party. The Speaker reported that he would only have agreed to such a proposal if all the Whips had agreed.

Advice to Deputy Speakers: The Speaker advised Members that he had agreed with the new Deputy Speakers that they would not take part in any debate in which they would also chair. He further requested and it was agreed that Deputy Speakers be permitted observer status to attend meetings of the Business Committee to gain a familiarity with the business of the Assembly.

Visitors to Parliament Buildings: Deferred to the next meeting.

Ministerial Visits to Constituencies. The Speaker agreed to liaise with Visits Section about the protocols for such occasions.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the Business Committee would meet on Tuesday 8 February 2000 during the lunch time suspension. Mr B Hutchinson asked that in future the possibility of alternating times be addressed.

Lord Alderdice

The Speaker

25 January 2000 / Menu / 8 February 2000