MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2000 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

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

Observers:
Sir J Gorman Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mrs E Bell
Mr J Tierney

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings held in the previous week were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Speaker's Adviser

2.1 The Speaker informed Members that the appointment of the Speaker's Adviser was initially made at the start of the shadow period as a result of an Executive Order. The Assembly Commission had not been established and the contract for this position was held by the Executive. After discussion with the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service post-devolution the Speaker was advised that the contract of the Speaker's Adviser should be held by the Assembly Commission.

The Assembly Commission was advised of these proposed changes and at the request of the Head of Administration it was agreed that the Speaker's Adviser could also provide advice and guidance to the Commission as well as providing procedural advice to the Speaker. One consequence of this was the Adviser's wish to gain some experience of providing procedural advice in the context of Assembly Sittings, hence his appearance at Table on 6 November 2000.

The Speaker reported that the issue had become largely academic as he had received a letter of resignation from his Adviser effectively seeking release from the Christmas recess.

Washington Visit

2.2 The Speaker requested that comments on the notional agenda for the proposed visit by a delegation of the Northern Ireland Assembly to the Centre for Democracy, Washington DC, in Spring 2001 should be conveyed to the Speaker's Office by the end of the month. Members asked that a separate discussion should be arranged to confirm the constitution of the delegation and the practical arrangements for the visit.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker circulated draft Order Papers for the plenary sittings on 27/28 November 2000 and indicated indicative timings.

3.2 The Speaker reminded the Committee of the problems caused by the late withdrawal of Motions and Adjournment debates from the Order Paper. The Committee agreed to make every effort to uphold the agreements arrived at in Committee.

3.3 The Committee agreed that Adjournment topics not selected for inclusion on the Order Paper automatically fall. An All Party Notice detailing this change will be issued to all Members.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 The Speaker indicated proposed timings for that afternoon's debate on the Private Member's Motion on Compensation Payments.

5. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 28 November 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.15 pm.