MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS

Present:
The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Dr A McDonnell
Prof M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wilson

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 4 December 2001 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Standing Order 10

The Speaker confirmed that he had written to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures asking that Standing Order 10 be clarified.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING

3.1 Business for the Plenary Sittings on 14 and 15 January 2002 was discussed, the draft Order Papers AGREED and indicative timings allocated.

3.2 It was noted that the motion from the Chairperson of the Committee for Education was in draft form and was due to be ratified by the Committee at its meeting on 13 December. It was AGREED to table the motion on the Order Paper for Tuesday 15 January 2002 subject to the Committee for Education's agreement on 13 December 2001. Should the motion be withdrawn it was AGREED that the Business Committee would substitute a Private Members' motion.

3.3 It was AGREED that business on Monday 14 January 2002 would operate on a rolling basis and that the debate on the Ad Hoc Committee motion would not be time limited, save ending at 6.00 pm in line with Standing Orders.

It was AGREED that the draft Order Papers would be reviewed by the Business Committee at their next meeting on Tuesday 8 January 2002. The Speaker indicated that it would be particularly helpful at that stage if Members could indicate how many would wish to speak to the Final Stage of the Industrial Development Bill.

3.4 The Speaker reiterated the guidelines relating to Members being permitted to ask questions only where they had been present during a Ministerial Statement. Clerks at Table were now keeping a register of attendance and advising the Speaker accordingly.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Laying of Public Petition - Proposal to Close Trillick Agriculture Office

The Speaker drew Members' attention to a public petition brought to the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 22. It was AGREED that this would be listed as Speaker's Business on Tuesday 15 January 2002. It was further AGREED that the petition would then be forwarded to the relevant Minister for reply and the relevant Committee for information. The Minister's reply would be circulated to Members. Meantime, the Speaker requested that the Committee on Procedures should consider if current arrangements were the best way of proceeding with this and future petitions.

4.2 Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB)

The Speaker encouraged Members to assist the management consultants conduct further interviews with individual MLAs during week commencing 12 December and to submit written evidence to the consultants as part of the second element of the review, so that sufficient information would be available to inform the SSRB's final recommendations.

4.3 Engravings in Senate Chamber

The Speaker informed Members that memorial inscriptions in memory of the late Senator Jack Barnhill and the late Senator Paddy Wilson would be unveiled in the Senate Rotunda on Wednesday 12 December 2001 at 11.00 am.

4.4 Carol Service

Members were advised that a Carol Service would be held in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings at 1.00 pm on Wednesday 12 December 2001.

4.5 Speaker's Christmas Drinks Reception for Members of Staff

The Speaker explained that he would be holding a Drinks Reception for staff on Wednesday 19 December 2001 and that MLAs were welcome to attend.

The Speaker wished everyone a Happy Christmas.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 15 January 2002, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106. The Speaker informed Members he would be representing the Assembly at the Commonwealth Speakers' Conference on that date.

The meeting adjourned at 1.24 pm.