Present:
Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr M Durkan

Mr R Empey

Mr D Ford

Mr R Hutchinson (representing Mr C Wilson)

Mr E McGrady MP

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M McWilliams)

Mr M Morrow

Mr C Murphy (representing Mr A Maskey)

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr J Wilson

In attendance:

Mr N Carson

Miss A Moore

1. ASSEMBLY RESPONSE TO THE OMAGH BOMB

The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that he has written to the Secretary of State to convey the views of the Committee and of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding the possibility of a re-call of the Assembly. In the absence of any agreement on a re-call there was general agreement that the matter should nevertheless be discussed at the next plenary meeting. Members were asked to give some thought to the wording of a suitable motion and to submit proposals to the Initial Presiding Officer before the next Committee meeting. If more than one motion is received it may be possible to construct a composite motion. It was agreed that if the amount of business for the next plenary meeting required it members should be prepared for a 2 day session. The Initial Presiding Officer indicated that his reserve position would be for an adjournment debate.

The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he had discussed with Mr J McConnell the possibility that he might write to the next of kin to offer condolences. He pointed out that while he cannot write on behalf of the Assembly it is his intention to write personally to families affected by the bomb.

2. ROOM ALLOCATIONS

Ground Floor: room allocations on the Ground Floor were discussed and agreed as follows:

Mr Robinson suggested a room on the Ground Floor should be set aside for use as a meeting room for other members of the Executive, possibly Room 20. The Initial Presiding Officer agreed to look at the possibilities and come back with suggestions.

First Floor: the Executive have withdrawn their request for rooms on the First Floor.

Second Floor: a further draft allocation of rooms on the Second Floor was presented to allow parties to retain rooms already occupied with the exception of the 3 independent members who have rooms allocated to them on the Third Floor.

Mr Robinson requested an additional room for the DUP and that the leader have a room on the First Floor. Mr Ford asked that the Alliance party be allocated 2 adjoining rooms, he suggested it might be appropriate for the UKUP to be allocated 2 adjoining rooms also. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would look at the options and try to find agreement on a one-to-one basis with the parties concerned.

The Initial Presiding Officer said there are to be no structural changes to the building without his approval.

3. MEETING WITH THE PRESS

The Initial Presiding Officer reported on a meeting held on Friday 21 August with representatives of the press. Most of the press were unhappy about a liaison group which would include party representatives. However members were clear that they must be involved. They did agree there should be 5 representatives of the print media and 5 from the broadcast media, as follows:

J Devine Dublin papers

M Purdy Local dailies

D Templeton Press in GB

D Henderson Wire Services

D McDaniel Local Weekly

R Morrison UTV

T Cooke BBC

E Mallie Radio

M Fisher RTE and NUJ

G Honeyford Sky

The Committee agreed that the liaison group should not exist to take decisions, only to advise and that it should include one elected member from each party.

4. VISIT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON

The Initial Presiding Officer informed the Committee that he had met with Blair Hall and Jane Fort to talk through the broad aspects of the programme in Parliament Buildings. It has been suggested that the Assembly would host a breakfast for a number of visiting Congressmen and Senators interested in building relations between Congress and the Assembly. It was agreed that this was a reasonable proposition. While the Initial Presiding Officer has not had any security briefings he reported that he made it clear he did not want the building taken over by the Secret Service and that the Assembly members should not be subjected to unnecessary security. No guarantees were given however.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Independent Members: Mr Robinson reported that the independent members want to take up the offer of having an observer (Mr Watson) attend Committee meetings. There was a brief discussion on the implications of the independent members forming a party.

Building Security: the Initial Presiding Officer reported that a review of security of the building has been conducted and some changes are being put in place.

Car Parking: the Initial Presiding Officer informed the Committee that existing car parking allocations are to continue in the meantime but it is intended that the east and west car parks will be exclusively for use by members plus the Head of the Civil Service and the Clerk to the Assembly. Senior Officers will have the use of the slip road directly in front of the building leading towards the Prince of Wales Avenue. The Committee asked that some thought be given to parking facilities for disabled drivers.

Recycling: a paper has been commissioned on the issue of recycling and will be put before the Committee as soon as possible.

Shadow Assembly Commission: the Initial Presiding Officer read the wording of a motion to be put before the Assembly:

That this Assembly should proceed to establish a "Shadow" Commission to assist during the transitional period in making preparations for the effective functioning of the Assembly - the membership and functions of the "Shadow" Commission being the same as those set out for the Commission in the Northern Ireland Bill.

The Committee were asked to give some thought to the breakdown of its membership.

Pensions for Assembly Members: it was agreed a note should issue to members to advise them that they may be required to make a payment out of this year's salary towards their pension scheme.

Procedural Consequences of Devolution: the Initial Presiding Officer informed the Committee that if the Assembly wishes to put forward views to the House of Commons Procedural Committee on the Procedural Consequences of Devolution a motion setting up a sub-committee will need to go before the Assembly. The issue will be discussed further at the next Committee meeting.

General Enquiry Number: the Committee agreed to the publication of a general enquiry number. The possibility of publishing party support numbers was discussed briefly, to be returned to. The Initial Presiding Officer informed the Committee that the press have been issued with the telephone numbers of party support offices.

Prepaid Envelopes: Mr Morrow enquired if any arrangements are being made to provide members with prepaid envelopes for Assembly business. Mr Carson reported that the Secretariat is in the process of discussing a range of services with the Royal Mail and will look into the matter.

Mileage Claims: Mr Morrow enquired if support staff can claim mileage allowance when they have been called to meetings other than by the party. To be looked into.

6. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 1 September at 9.00 am.