MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

Present:
The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr N Dodds MP
Mr B Hutchinson
Dr A McDonnell
Mr K McCarthy
Mr E McGrady MP
Ms M McWilliams
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

1. SPEAKER'S BUSINESS

1.1. The Speaker welcomed Mr K McCarthy to his first meeting of the Business Committee.

1.2 Following approval of a Motion to establish an ad hoc Committee on the draft Criminal Injuries Compensation Order, the Speaker reminded Members to submit nominations for the Committee as soon as possible.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

2.1 The minutes of the meeting of 4 September 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2.2 It was AGREED that Whips should be provided with a list of attendance by their Members at Committee meetings for the previous session.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 17 SEPTEMBER 2001

3.1 Business for the Plenary Sittings on 17 and 18 September 2001 was discussed, the Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.

3.2 It was AGREED that if the Motion to exclude Sinn Féin has received 30 signatures by 2.00 pm on Thursday 13 September, it will be debated on Wednesday 19 September. A total of 6 hours for the debate was allocated. If 30 signatures have not been received, the Motion will remain on the No Day Named List.

3.3 The Committee considered the Motion on the NI Human Rights Commission tabled by Mr Dermot Nesbitt and Dr Esmond Birnie, and AGREED (by 75 votes to 26) that it would not appear on the Order Paper. Members requested clarification from Mr T McCusker on related issues arising out of the Ministerial Code, which had been lodged previously in the Assembly Library but had not been debated by Assembly Members.

3.4 Mr McCarthy proposed that the Motion on the Interdepartmental Working Group be placed on the Order Paper for Tuesday 18 September 2001, but this proposal fell (29 votes for, 48 votes against).

3.5 The Speaker clarified that the Committee did not wish to place any Adjournment Debates on the Order Papers.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 It was AGREED that where amendments to Motions are tabled and issued in advance of the day on which they are due to be debated, they will be published and issued to Members by the Business Office. It was further AGREED that it will be made clear that the published amendments may not be selected by the Speaker. The Speaker clarified that the deadline for amendments to Motions is 9.30 am on the morning they are due to be debated, and selection will take place at that time.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 18 September 2001 at 1.00 pm in Room 106.

The meeting adjourned at 6.00 pm.