MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 9 JANUARY 2001 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The meeting began at 12.35 pm

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

Observers:
Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker
Ms J Morrice Deputy Speaker
Mr T McCusker Executive Liaison
Mr P Price Information Office

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Deputy Chairperson Mr Conor Murphy in the Chair.

The minutes of the previous meetings were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker on taking the Chair.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 The Speaker informed Members that Mr Alban Maginness and Mr Billy Bell had been elected as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively of the Ad Hoc Committee on Financial Investigations.

Speaker in the Chair.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Committee AGREED that the Speaker would announce the death of the late Mr Tom Benson MLA at the Sitting on 15 January 2001. After a tribute from his party leader/nominee the Assembly would adjourn for a short period as a mark of respect. The Committee further AGREED that, after consultation with the family of the late Mr Benson, a service of thanksgiving may be held in the Senate Chamber at a later date.

Mr Conor Murphy expressed the view that all deaths that were commemorated should be marked in the same way. A further discussion will be held on the whole question of "condolences practices" at a future meeting of the Committee.

3.2 The Speaker informed Members that it was his intention, at the rise of the Assembly on 15 January 2001, to host a reception marking the recent Award in the New Year's Honours List to Mr Murray Barnes. A further reception in recognition of the Award to Mr Paddy Oakey would be held at a later date.

3.3 The Speaker circulated draft Order Papers for the Plenary Sittings on 15 and 16 January 2001 and indicated indicative timings for each Sitting.

3.4 The Committee AGREED that proposed statements by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on North/South Ministerial Council and British/Irish Council meetings on Transport may be amalgamated and taken as one statement, without prejudice to future arrangements for reports from the North/South Ministerial Council or British/Irish Council meetings.

3.5 The Committee AGREED that the established convention of taking stages of legislation in sequence, without interruption by Motion, should be followed wherever possible.

3.6 The Speaker reminded Members that Motions proposing replacements in the membership of Committees may be included in the Order Paper up to 2.00 pm on Thursdays without prior consent of the Business Committee.

3.7 The Committee debated the number of Private Members' Motions/Adjournment Debates that should be included on the Order Paper for 16 January 2001 and voted:

2 Private Members Motions and 1 Adjournment Debate - 22 votes

3 Private Members Motions and 1 Adjournment Debate - Nil votes

4 Private Members Motions and 1 Adjournment Debate - 55 votes

Accordingly, it was AGREED that the Motions on Skill Shortage, Capital Spending, Homeless, Student Debt and the Adjournment Debate standing in the name of Mr Alex Maskey should appear on the Order Paper for 16 January 2001.

3.8 On this basis the Committee AGREED the text of the Order Papers for Monday 15 January and Tuesday 16 January 2001.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 The Speaker outlined proposals from the Centre for Democracy for a visit by the Committee to Washington DC during week commencing 4 March 2001. Members requested that contact should be made with Professor Allen Weinstein from the Centre for Democracy to determine the flexibility of an alternative date for the visit. The Committee AGREED that this issue should be further discussed at next week's meeting.

4.2 The Speaker informed Members that visitors including party staff should be accompanied by a Member AT ALL TIMES when using the Members' Bar.

4.3 The Speaker reminded Members of the importance of attending official receptions for visiting groups/parliamentarians if they had previously indicated their willingness to attend such functions. The Speaker referred to a number of proposed visits in the near future.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 16 January 2001 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.00 pm.

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker

13 December 2000 / Menu / 16 January 2001