1. Minutes of Previous Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Arrangements for Forthcoming Plenary Meetings
4. Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr A Maskey
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Ms M McWilliams
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

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

Observers: Sir J Gorman Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker
Ms J Morrice Deputy Speaker

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Royal Visits/VIP Visits: The Speaker informed Members that he asked Sir John Semple, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to clarify the protocol in relation to notifying Assembly Members of Royal/VIP Visits. The Speaker undertook to inform the Committee of Sir John's response.

2.2 Deputy Chairpersons of the Business Committee: The Speaker confirmed that he would bring this matter back to a future meeting of the Committee.

2.3 Liaison Committee: The Speaker reported that he had arranged a meeting with the Chairpersons of Statutory and Standing Committees on 21 June 2000 at 10.00 am. The Speaker had indicated that it was appropriate for the Deputy Chairperson of a Committee to attend this meeting in the absence of a Chairperson.

2.4 Statutory Rule - Fair Employment: The Speaker suggested to Members that the Statutory Rule on the Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 presented by the OFMDFM should be scrutinised during Plenary Session. This needed to be completed before recess. It was agreed that the Examiner of Statutory Rules should be asked for a Report on this Rule and that a motion for its approval should be on the Order Paper for 3/4 July 2000.

2.5 Confidentiality of Meetings: The Speaker emphasised the importance of observing confidentiality in relation to the deliberations of the Business Committee .

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

The Speaker circulated for consideration draft Order Papers relating to the Plenary Sessions on 26/27 June 2000 and 3/4 July 2000. A proposal by Ms M McWilliams (that the Plenary Session scheduled for 26/27 June 2000 should be extended to Wednesday, 28 June 2000) was defeated by 75 votes to 4 votes. The Committee agreed that the Assembly would sit past 6.00 pm on Tuesday 27 June 2000 to facilitate the completion of business.

The Speaker informed Members that it was in order for a Minister to represent another Minister during the First Stage of Bills.

Two topics had been tabled for Adjournment Debate. It was agreed by the Committee that both these topics would be debated between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm on Tuesday 27 June 2000.

4. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Business Committee would take place on Tuesday 27 June 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 1.38 pm.