MINUTE OF PROCEEDINGS
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 2002 AT 1.00 PM
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The meeting began at 1.06pm.
Present: The Speaker
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr I Davis
Mr B Hutchinson
Ms P Lewsley
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Ms S Ramsey
Mr D Watson
In attendance: Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk
Ms N Dunwoody Clerk Assistant
Mr A Rogers Principal Clerk of Business
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Ms R Donnelly Assistant Clerk of Business
Observers: Ms R Flanagan Executive Liaison
Ms J Morrice
1. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLENARY MEETING 8 OCTOBER 2002
1.1 The Speaker advised Members that the meeting had been convened at the request of the DUP to take the Committee's views on scheduling a debate following events on 4 October 2002. A motion had been submitted by Members of the DUP in this respect.
Following discussion, Members voted on the proposal to schedule a second sitting of the Assembly on Tuesday, 8 October 2002 to debate the motion for 2½ hours. It was AGREED (77 votes for, and 23 against) to proceed with the additional sitting as proposed.
The Speaker confirmed that business already scheduled for Tuesday, 8 October 2002 would continue through lunchtime. The second sitting to debate the DUP motion would begin after 2.00pm and 15 minutes after the first sitting had finished. The Speaker confirmed that a second Order Paper for Tuesday, 8 October would be issued.
The Speaker cautioned Members and reminded them that in criminal matters the sub judice rule applies and that, as regards parliamentary privilege, it applies to the law of defamation and not to other matters.
2. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
2.1 There were no other items of business raised.
3. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
3.1 The next meeting of the Business Committee was scheduled for Tuesday 8 October 2002, at 12.30 pm, in Room 106.
The meeting adjourned at 1.18 pm.
THE LORD ALDERDICE
The Speaker