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
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

1.1 The minutes of the meeting of 10 September and 13 September 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Report for Whips: Attendance by Members at Committees

The Speaker informed the Committee that the list showing attendance by Members at Committee meetings was being prepared and would be issued as soon as possible. Members will then receive an updated report each recess for their party. It was AGREED that the reports would include attendance at all Committees (not including House Committees).

2.2 Plenary Sittings

The Speaker reminded Members that no Order Paper had been issued for Wednesday 19 September because the Exclusion Motion had not received a 30^th signature by Thursday 13 September at 2.00 pm, the time specified by the Committee last week. Members noted that the total number of signatures still stood at 29.

2.3 Motion - NI Human Rights Commission

The Speaker drew Members' attention to para 3.3 of the Minutes of 10 September which referred to a Motion on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission tabled by Mr D Nesbitt and Dr E Birnie. Subsequent to the meeting Mr Nesbitt withdrew his name and Mr J Leslie added his name, and therefore the names of E Birnie and J Leslie stood on the No Day Named List published on 13 September 2001.

In this context it was AGREED that Mr McCusker would ask the Executive Committee to address the issue of the propriety of Ministers putting their names to Private Members' Motions on matters which came within their Ministerial remit.

2.4 Business Committee Proceedings

Members discussed the previous agreement by the Business Committee on the confidentiality of discussions at the Committee.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING 24 SEPTEMBER 2001

3.1 Business for the Plenary Sittings on 24 and 25 September 2001 was discussed, the Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.

3.2 It was AGREED that if the Secretary of State implements at the weekend a one-day suspension of the Assembly, then Plenary Business would be conducted on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 September as agreed. If, however, a longer suspension is called, then the Business Committee will meet after restoration to discuss Plenary business.

3.3 It was AGREED that if the Motion to exclude Sinn Féin has received 30 signatures by 2.00 pm on Thursday 20 September, it will be placed on the Order Paper for Wednesday 26 September for a 6-hour debate. If not, the Motion will remain on the No Day Named List but the Committee will not continue with weekly consideration of the Motion until 30 signatures have been received.

4. MINISTERIAL CODE

4.1 The Speaker drew Members' attention to the Ministerial Code which was issued to supplement the letter on this subject from Mr McCusker.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

5.1 Legislative Programme

It was noted that the amount of legislation introduced by the Executive Committee last session was less than had been outlined by the then First and Deputy First Minister in their statement in the draft Programme for Government. Mr McCusker explained that last session there were high expectations but problems arose out of lack of expertise on policy and procedure in Departments. This having now evolved, it was hoped that the proposals contained this year would be more realistic.

5.2 Plenary Debates: Committee Reports

Members agreed that it was a matter for Whips whether debates on Committee reports presented to the Plenary should be populated by Members of that Committee or whether other Members should be given a greater opportunity to speak.

6. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

6.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 25 September 2001 at 1.00 pm in Room 106.

6.2 The Speaker informed Members that owing to a long-standing engagement he would be unable to attend and the Chair would be taken by either Mr C Murphy or Mr D Watson, the Deputy Chairpersons.

The meeting adjourned at 1.54 pm.