MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2001 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds
Mr D Ford
Mr B Hutchinson
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

Observers:
Sir J Gorman Deputy Speaker
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

The minutes of the previous meeting were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 The Speaker outlined details of the visit to Washington DC on 7-14 March 2001. Members were requested to liaise with the Principal Clerk of Business regarding flight times, visa facilities, itinerary and any other necessary arrangements.

2.2 The Speaker informed Members that a paper was currently being prepared and would be circulated to all Assembly Members by the Clerk of the Assembly Commission on proposals for setting up a messaging facility to enhance communication.

2.3 The Speaker drew the attention of Members to the paper that had been produced on disseminating Assembly information to the public. Any comment should be directed through the Principal Clerk of Business. There would be a discussion of the matter at a future meeting.

2.4 The Speaker reminded Members that any recommendations or changes to the draft condolence policy paper should be submitted to the Speaker's Office before the end of January 2001 for discussion by the Committee on Monday 5 February at 12.30 pm.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORTHCOMING PLENARY MEETING

3.1 The Speaker drew the attention of Members to the draft Order Papers for the Plenary Sittings on 5 and 6 February 2001 and indicated indicative timings for each Sitting.

3.2 A proposal by Dr Alasdair McDonnell to include the Adjournment topic on Acute Services in West Tyrone on the Order Paper for 6 February 2001 was defeated (50 votes for; 51 votes against). A proposal by Mr Ivan Davis to include the Adjournment topic on The Future of Carraigfoyle Paediatric Support Unit was carried unanimously. The Speaker again outlined the need to ensure that topics for Adjournment Debate should be constituency specific.

3.3 On this basis the Committee AGREED the text of the Order Papers for Monday 5 February and Tuesday 6 February 2001.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 The Speaker canvassed the views of the Committee regarding Members tabling items of Assembly business that relate to constituencies other than those that they represent. The Committee AGREED that this area required further debate and should be brought forward to a future meeting of the Committee.

4.2 The Speaker informed Members that regulations relating to the use of Assembly facilities by Members during a General Election would be circulated shortly. The Speaker asked Members to disseminate this information to their party colleagues to avoid any potential breach of privileges.

4.3 The Speaker informed Members that he was considering hosting an event on St Patrick's Night for all Assembly Members, their partners and members of the wider community. The Speaker requested that any comments or suggestions should be forwarded to his Office as early as possible.

4.4 The Speaker outlined a proposal by the Assembly Commission to establish facilities at six or seven venues throughout the Province to enable Committees to meet and discuss Assembly business. This would enable arrangements for Committees to be more flexible and would provide Hansard and Video Conferencing facilities at a range of venues across Northern Ireland. Committees will be provided with the daily costs for each venue when these become available. Committees may use other venues of their choice for meetings in addition to those identified in the proposal.

4.5 The Speaker informed Members that a training programme for Clerks at Table was currently being developed. If Members had any suggestions or recommendations that should be included in this presentation they should be submitted through the Principal Clerk of Business.

4.6 The Committee AGREED that the management of Oral and Written Questions should form an agenda point for discussion at a future meeting of the Committee.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for MONDAY 5 February 2001 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm to discuss the draft condolence policy paper.

The weekly meeting of the Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 6 February 2001 in Room 106 at 12.30 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 2.00 pm.