MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2000 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The meeting began at 12.35 pm

Present:
The Speaker
Mr N Dodds
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr C Murphy
Ms M McWilliams
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

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

Observers:
Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker
Ms J Morrice " "
Mr D McClarty
Mr J Tierney
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 The Speaker welcomed Mr Tony McCusker who had joined the Business Committee as an observer to provide liaison between the Executive and the Assembly.

2.2 The Speaker requested that all party nominations for deputies to the Business Committee should be brought forward as soon as possible.

2.3 The Speaker reported that Mr David Ervine, Mr John Dallat, Dr Esmond Birnie, Mr Denis Watson, Mr Roger Hutchinson and Mr John Kelly had been nominated to accept an invitation from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation to visit Germany over the Hallowe'en recess.

2.4 The Speaker asked Members of the Committee to give consideration to adopting a Single Day Order Paper to help alleviate the difficulties in timing Assembly business. The Speaker agreed to write to the Executive Committee and convey the sentiments of the Business Committee on the problems associated with organising other Ministerial commitments during plenary sessions.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker circulated draft Order Papers for the plenary sittings on 23/24 October 2000 and 6/7 November 2000 and outlined indicative timings for the order of business.

3.2 Mr Reynolds outlined the difficulties that Committees are experiencing with processing Statutory Rules within the timescales provided for negative resolution. Mr Reynolds agreed to prepare a briefing note for circulation to all Assembly Members and Committee Clerks on the procedure and timetable for laying and scrutinising Statutory Rules.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 The Speaker reported that the proposed visit and presentation by Professor Weinstein from the Centre of Democracy would now take place on 9 November 2000.

4.2 The Speaker informed Members that he had received a letter from Mr Francie Molloy, Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, requesting that the Christmas recess date should be deferred from 16 December 2000 to 19 December 2000 to allow the budget debate to take place before the Christmas recess. The Committee agreed to the request.

5. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 24 October 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 1.37 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker

10 October 2000 / Menu / 24 October 2000