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

Present: The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Mr C Murphy
Mr J Wilson

Apologies: Mr D Watson

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

Observers: 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 The Speaker requested that nominations of party representatives to serve on the Court of the University of Ulster and British-Irish Interparliamentary Body should be submitted to his Office as soon as possible. Mr Jim Wilson and Mr Nigel Dodds recorded that their respective parties would not be nominating a representative to the meeting of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body in Galway in October. Mr Conor Murphy stated that the Sinn Féin nomination to this body would be forwarded as soon as possible.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker circulated a draft Order Paper for the plenary sitting on 25/26 September 2000 and outlined indicative timings for the order of business. The Speaker emphasised that timings may change due to the possibility of additional Ministerial statements.

3.2 A proposal by Mr Eddie McGrady MP to defer a Motion on Rail Transport to a future date was defeated by 24 votes to 72 votes against.

3.3 Mr Jim Wilson recorded his dissatisfaction in respect of plenary sittings continuing throughout the day without a break for lunch. After deliberation the Committee agreed that a continuous sitting was preferable to extending the sittings into an additional day or beyond 6.00 pm. The Committee also agreed that wherever possible a debate should not be split into more than two parts.

3.4 The Committee agreed that the Adjournment Debate should be used by backbenchers to address constituency matters. More substantive issues should be addressed by substantive motion.

3.5 The Committee agreed that Motions which relate to changes of party membership on Committees may be included in the Order Paper without previously being discussed by the Business Committee.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 The Committee agreed that Statutory Rule No. 248 Fisheries Foyle Area (Rivers Finn and Foyle Angling Permits) Regulations 2000 would be referred for scrutiny to the Committee on Culture, Arts and Leisure.

4.2 The Speaker reminded Members that biographies on the Assembly's website should be reviewed for accuracy.

4.3 The Speaker agreed to take forward a suggestion from Members to explore the possibility of a visit to other legislatures to consider arrangements for whipping and business management in other places.

5. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 26 September 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.05 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker