Present:
The Speaker
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr K McCarthy
Dr A McDonnell
Ms 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 Subject to the amendment that Mr C Murphy was not present, the minutes of the previous meeting of 15 January 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Party Allowances

The Speaker reminded Members to submit views on the future structure of a party allowance scheme to the Clerk of the Assembly Commission.

2.2 Release of Information about Individual Member's Cost Allowance Claims

It was AGREED that amounts claimed by individual Members with effect from 1998 would be published for:

• salaries - including extra salaries to office-holders;
• office costs and allowances - the amount claimed;
• travel expenses;
• overnight claims

with the note that Members who live at a distance from Stormont will have more substantial travel expenses and that Ministers have their own travel arrangements. Members also requested that travel expenses and overnight claims be reported under separate headings.

2.3 Expressions of Condolence by the Assembly

The Speaker reiterated the existing procedures for condolences and following discussion it was AGREED that Whips would acquaint their colleagues with the process to avoid the issue being raised in Plenary without notice to the Speaker or to other Members.

2.4 Joint Parliamentary Forum

The Business Committee had been requested to take forward the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Forum under Strand 2 of the Belfast Agreement. The Speaker clarified that this could be initiated by way of a Private Members' motion.

2.5 Assembly Commission

Ms McWilliams reported that the smaller parties had met to discuss the motion to replace Ms Eileen Bell on the Assembly Commission but had been unable to reach agreement. A meeting was requested with the Speaker.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETINGS WEEK COMMENCING

3.1 Following discussion, it was AGREED that there would be one day's sitting to take place on Monday 28 January. Members noted there was no legislative business from the Executive Committee for that week.

3.2 It was AGREED that 2 Private Members' motions would be placed on the Order Paper. Four motions were proposed and Members voted as follows:

Report - Barriers to Growth and Survival (Mr B Armstrong) 28 votes

Mobile Phones (Mr J Shannon) 43 votes

Breakdown of Law and Order (Ms E Bell &

Mr K McCarthy) 79 votes

Post Office Provision (Mr J Dallat) 52 votes

'Breakdown of Law and Order' and 'Post Office Provision' were, therefore, selected.

3.3 The draft Order Papers were AGREED and indicative timings allocated for the sitting on 28 January 2002.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Nominees for Assembly and Business Trust Dinner

The Speaker reminded Members to forward nominations for the dinner planned for 1 February 2002 with members of the business community. One nominee was requested from each of the 4 larger parties and one to represent the smaller parties.

4.2 Surveys of Members' opinions on issues to be debated in the Assembly

Members noted that surveys carried out by external agencies on how Members might vote on specific issues may not always reflect how they actually vote when the issue is debated in Plenary.

4.3 Review of Public Administration

The First and Deputy First Ministers had asked for views on how best to involve the Assembly in the review of public administration.

Members noted that the First and Deputy First Ministers intend to write to all Members to consult on the terms of reference and fundamental principles of the review. There could then be a full debate in the Assembly and once the review was launched there would follow a formal period of consultation. While Members AGREED that there should be a debate in the Assembly, they were not content at this stage with the suggestion that an Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Public Administration should be established. The Speaker undertook to report this back to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister with a view to exploring how best the Assembly could be consulted on an ongoing basis throughout the period of the review.

4.4 St Patrick's Day

The Speaker notified Members he would be hosting a St Patrick's Day event on 16 March 2002 and following the success of last year's event, invited further participation from Assembly Members in providing entertainment.

4.5 Committee Meeting Attendance

Whips had been circulated with reports on their Members' attendance at Committee Meetings for the period September 2001 to January 2002. During discussion, the Speaker clarified that where a Member who does not take any Party Whip is a consistently poor attender, it would be in order to bring a motion to the Assembly nominating a replacement. Where the offending Member is not a Member of another Committee, however, the Speaker would have to review the situation in accordance with Standing Order 46(3).

4.6 Committee Meetings on Sitting Days

The Speaker agreed to raise with the Chairpersons' Liaison Group the impact on Plenary and Committee business where Committee Meetings, events and trips take place on sitting days.

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 29 January 2002, at 12.30 pm in Room 106.

The meeting adjourned at 2.05 pm.