MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2000 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

Observers: Ms J Morrice Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mr J Wells
Mr P Price

Apology: Ms M McWilliams

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 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 at the earliest possible date.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker circulated draft Order Papers for the plenary sittings on 4/5 December 2000 and indicated indicative timings.

3.2 The Speaker informed Members that the First Stage of a Bill may appear on draft Order Papers circulated to the Committee for consideration. However, he may not always be in a position to ensure that the Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly by the time the Order Paper goes to print on Thursday afternoon. Consequently that particular piece of legislation may not appear on the published Order Paper but may yet be cleared and included in the business of a subsequent day even though it is not on the Order Paper.

3.3 The Speaker reminded Members of an earlier decision of the Committee that the Adjournment Debate should be used by backbenchers to address constituency matters while more substantive issues should be addressed by substantive Motion.

3.4 On this basis the Committee AGREED the text of Order Paper for Monday 4 December and Tuesday 5 December.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Members were previously issued with correspondence from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures seeking views on proposed changes to the timing of plenary sittings. The Speaker informed Members that the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures was, at this time, canvassing for views on this issue. Members expressed a range of views which were noted by Mr Murphy. The Speaker invited Members to write directly to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures if they wished to record any position on the matter.

4.2 The Speaker informed Members that a Deputy Speaker on his behalf would host a drinks reception between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm on 6 December 2000 in the Members' Dining Room for the World Affairs Councils of America. Nominated representatives were required (five from each of the larger parties and two from each of the others) to be forwarded to the Speaker's Office by lunchtime on Friday, 1 December.

4.3 The Speaker reported that Mr Derek Hussey had raised a point of order during Question Time on 27 November 2000 relating to the allocation of time during Ministerial Questions. The Speaker agreed to write to Ministers reminding them of the importance of making optimum use of Ministerial Question Time. It was agreed by the Committee that any changes to the format of Question Time would be a matter for the Committee on Procedures.

4.4 The Speaker canvassed the views of the Committee on how any proposed visit by the President of the United States to the Assembly might be managed. It was agreed that the Committee would return to this issue at its next meeting.

4.5 The Speaker reported that he had referred the Assembly's resolution on a corporate Assembly award to the Fire Service to the Assembly Commission to decide on the arrangements that were required.

5. DATE ,TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 5 December 2000 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.15 pm.