MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 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 A Maskey
Mr C Murphy
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr J Wilson

Apologies:
Mr D Watson

In attendance:
Mr J Reynolds
Ms G Campbell
Mr J Ross

Observers: Sir J Gorman Deputy Speaker
Mr D McClelland Deputy Speaker

1. CONDOLENCES PRACTICE

1.1 The Speaker informed Members that no written comments had been received on the paper on this subject circulated at a previous meeting.

The Speaker explained the precedence order contained in the procedure for formal expression of condolence and indicated that special recognition was given to certain dignitaries in the British Isles.

Members requested that the condolence practice within Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Dáil Éireann should be considered before agreeing a formal procedure for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr Nigel Dodds, indicated for the record, that he was unhappy with the inclusion of some of the listed personages contained in the procedure for formal expression of condolence paper and indicated that there may be merit in restricting the number on the list.

The Committee AGREED that the issue of condolences practice should be revisited at a later date to allow for a comparison to be made with other legislatures.

2. CENTRE FOR DEMOCRACY

2.1 The Speaker informed Members that a draft itinerary for the visit to Washington DC should be available within the next 1-2 weeks. Members were requested to liaise with the Principal Clerk of Business regarding flight times, visa facilities and any other necessary arrangements.

3. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

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

Meeting adjourned at 1.05 pm.