MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2002 AT 12.30 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 12.44 pm.
Present:
The Speaker
Mr P J Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr A Maskey
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D Watson
In attendance:
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk of Plenary Business
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Observers:
Ms L Devlin Executive Liaison
Mr D Ervine
Rev R Coulter
Mr D Hilditch
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Wilson
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1.1 The minutes of the previous meeting of 5 March 2002 were AGREED by the Committee and signed by the Speaker.
2. MATTERS ARISING
2.1 Motions - Debating Times for Private Members' Business
Members agreed to give further consideration to the draft rota for selecting motions for debate and to discuss the matter at a future meeting.
3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETING 19 MARCH 2002
3.1 Members noted that the Executive Committee had yet to clear the statement 'Capital of Culture'. It was therefore AGREED to provisionally table the statement for 4.00 pm on Tuesday 19 March, after Question Time.
3.2 It was AGREED that no Adjournment Debates would be selected for debate. Whips would therefore advise Members to resubmit any they wished to be considered for a future date.
3.3 On this basis the draft Order Paper was discussed and indicative timings allocated for the sitting on 19 March 2002.
4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Letter from Chairperson, Committee on Procedures re Amendments to Standing Orders
The Speaker circulated to Members a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures outlining proposals to amend Standing Orders on timings for Plenary Sittings. Members AGREED to consider the letter and discuss the issue fully at a later date.
4.2 Canadian Senate Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
The Speaker advised Members that the Canadian Committee would be visiting the Assembly. Members were invited to a buffet lunch with the Committee on 15 March 2002 in Room 106, hosted by the Clerk to the Assembly.
4.3 Death of HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
The Speaker circulated a letter from HM The Queen's Private Secretary, thanking him for the letter he had sent expressing the Assembly's condolence on the death of HRH The Princess Margaret.
4.4 Budget 2002 Seminar
The Speaker advised Members that following requests from the Committee for Finance and Personnel, officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel would be delivering a seminar on the Budget 2002 in the Long Gallery from 9.30 am - 12.00 noon. Invitations were being issued to all Members individually. The Speaker reminded Members that the seminar would assist Committees in scrutiny of and input to Departmental Position Reports.
4.5 St Patrick's Night Event
The Speaker reminded Members that they and their guests were welcome to attend the St Patrick's Night event in Parliament Buildings on Saturday 16 March 2002.
5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
5.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 19 March 2002, at 12.30 pm in Room 106.
5.2 The Speaker reminded Members that the Committee would at this meeting discuss arrangements for the Plenary sittings for week commencing 8 April 2002, that is, after Easter recess.
The meeting adjourned at 1.06 pm
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker