MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 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
Mr C Murphy
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson
Apologies: Mr I Davis
Dr A McDonnell
In attendance: Mr J Reynolds Ms G Campbell
Mr J Ross Mr M Barnes
Mr N Johnston
Observers: Sir J Gorman Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mr D McClarty
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 Proposed Visit by the President of the United States of America
The Speaker's Adviser outlined arrangements for the visit of the President of the United States of America. He detailed measures relating to security of the building, Presidential passes, access to the Estate and a proposed presentation to the President. The Committee AGREED that Mr Hume, the former Member for Foyle, should be admitted to the Central Hall for the presentation of Assembly Members to the President. The Committee also AGREED that television cameras could record throughout the President's meeting with Assembly Members in Central Hall.
The Speaker's Adviser reminded Members that enquiries in relation to the Presidential Visit to the Odyssey Centre should be directed to the United States Consulate.
2.3 Arrangements for Question Time
The Speaker informed Members that the Clerk of Business had produced guidance for the Committee outlining the arrangements for taking Supplementary Questions during Ministerial Question Time. This guidance was attached to the Minute of Proceedings for the meeting on 5 December 2000 (Annex A). The Speaker reminded Members that these were guidelines rather than rules and were not for general distribution lest they be interpreted as having the effect of Standing Orders.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING
3.1 The Speaker circulated draft Order Papers for the plenary sittings on 18 and 19 December 2000 and indicated indicative timings for each Sitting.
3.2 The Committee AGREED that the Motion on the Budget should not be timebound and that the Speaker would use his discretion to assess the length of time that each Member took to speak to the Motion. The Speaker outlined the arrangements relating to possible Amendments to this Motion.
3.3 On this basis the Committee AGREED the text of the Order Papers for Monday 18 December and Tuesday 19 December 2000.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 The Speaker advised Members of a decision of the Assembly Commission to grant passes and certain rights of access to Parliament Buildings to Northern Ireland Members of other Legislatures which legislate for Northern Ireland (ie European Parliament, Westminster Parliament). Such passholders would be entitled to enter the Building and the Members' Bar and Coffee Lounge. They would not be able to book tables in the Members' Dining Room, or to use the Members' Car Park.
4.2 The Speaker further advised Members that the Assembly Commission had decided that a premium of £1,000 would be paid in the annual salary to staff of the Northern Ireland Assembly in recognition of the added pressure and difficult conditions under which they work. This payment would be made pro rata on a monthly basis and backdated to 29 May 2000. The Head of Administration would be writing to all staff during 12 December to confirm who qualified for this payment.
4.3 The Speaker reminded Members of the criteria for Private Notice Questions. He suggested that routine questions about job losses would not normally fulfil these requirements.
Correspondence
4.4 The Speaker reported on receipt of a letter on the review of the legislative process in the Northern Ireland Assembly, currently being undertaken by the Committee on Procedures. Comments were due with the Committee by 31 January 2001.
4.5 Statutory Rule No.371 Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2000 which was proposed by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister was referred to the Committee. The Committee agreed that the Rule should be passed to the Committee for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment for scrutiny.
4.6 Members submitted the following names as Members of the Ad Hoc Committee - Financial Investigations (NI) Order:
Mr Fraser Agnew; Mr Billy Bell; Mr Séamus Close; Mr Nigel Dodds; Mr David Ervine; Ms Patricia Lewsley; Mr Alban Maginness; Mr David McClarty; Mr Pat McNamee; Mr Ian Paisley Jnr; and Ms Sue Ramsey.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 9 January 2001 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 2.20 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker
5 December 2000 / Menu / 13 December 2000