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
Mr A Maskey
Dr A McDonnell
Mr C Murphy
Ms M McWilliams
Mr J Wilson

Apologies: Mr D Watson
Mr E McGrady MP

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

Observers: Ms J Morrice Deputy Speaker
Mr J Tierney

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 Committee agreed that if a Member of the Business Committee were unable to attend meetings each party could nominate one named Member to deputise. This Member would be able to speak at the meeting but would have no voting rights.

2.2 The Speaker, in reply to an enquiry from Ms Monica McWilliams, explained the selection process associated with Assembly representation on the British/Irish Interparliamentary Body. In the absence of agreement between parties, the Speaker adopted the nomination which carried the highest number of votes.

2.3 Mr Wilson raised the issue of the scope of the Adjournment Debate. The Speaker reminded Members that a change to Standing Orders had reduced the time allocated to an adjournment debate from 3 hours to 1 hour. The Committee agreed that this limited period should be used by backbenchers to address Constituency matters while more substantive issues should be addressed by substantive Motion.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker circulated a draft Order Paper for the plenary sitting on 2/3 October 2000 and outlined indicative timings for the order of business.

3.2 The Speaker informed Members that the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill would be printed in anticipation of first stage and would be available to Members immediately thereafter and before the Motion seeking accelerated passage would be moved. The Committee agreed that the Motion would be taken before the adjournment debate on Tuesday and accepted that this convention should be adopted for future Bills requiring accelerated passage.

3.3 The Speaker reminded Members that Imelda McAuley had been seconded to the Assembly as a Human Rights legal adviser and is available to all Members.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 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.

4.2 A copy of the rota for oral questions from 16 October 2000 to 11 December 2000 was circulated to the Committee.

4.3 Mr Wilson reported on correspondence with Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the overlap in responsibilities between that Department and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Speaker suggested that this was a matter for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in determining the responsibilities of Ministers.

5. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 3 October 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 1.58 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker