Present:
Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr I Davis (representing Mr R Empey)

Mr M Durkan

Mr D Ervine (representing Mr B Hutchinson)

Mr D Ford

Mr E McGrady MP

Prof M McWilliams

Mr F Molloy

Mr M Morrow

Mr C Murphy (representing Mr A Maskey)

Mr D Watson (as an observer)

Mr J Wells (representing Mr P Robinson MP)

Mr C Wilson

Mr J Wilson

Mr N Carson

Miss A Moore

1. ASSEMBLY RESPONSE TO THE OMAGH BOMB

The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed to the Committee that he has written personally to the next of kin of those killed to offer condolences.

A motion put forward by Sinn Fein was circulated.

That this Assembly expresses its deep sympathy to the victims of the Omagh bombing and urges all elected members to redouble their efforts to further develop the Peace Process as the most effective means of removing the causes of violence and conflict in our society. It also urges all those presently involved in armed action to immediately desist form such activity.

The following motion from the UUP was also circulated:

We, the members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, extend our sincere sympathy to all bereaved by the Omagh bomb on Saturday 15 August 1998 and offer our best wishes for the recovery of those injured.

We pay tribute to all of those who were involved in the rescue attempts after the explosion and those who are still involved in the resultant necessary care.

We condemn, without reservation, the perpetrators of this atrocity and encourage everyone to assist, to the full, in the apprehension of those responsible.

Mr Morrow felt the problem with the Sinn Fein motion was that there was no condemnation of the Government and the problem with the UUP motion was that it did not go far enough. Mr Wells thought it would be impossible to get an agreed motion and that an adjournment debate would be the best option. Mr McGrady said it would be desirable to get agreement on a motion and suggested a composite motion by adding the last sentence from the Sinn Fein motion to the UUP motion. Mr Ervine suggested deleting the word "presently" and Mr Durkan suggested some syntax changes. Mr Morrow said the composite motion did not go far enough as it did not reflect any Government responsibility and that he does not accept that there is a Peace Process. Mr C Wilson said the UKUP could not support any motion with Sinn Fein. Mr J Wilson said that given the reservations expressed he had no option but to withdraw the UUP motion. Mr Molloy stated Sinn Fein's commitment to the Peace Process and asked for it to be put on record. He suggested that the opening sentence of the UUP motion might be used as a motion for debate. As no agreement was reached the matter will be revisited at the next meeting. The Initial Presiding Officer said that, in the absence of an agreed motion, an adjournment debate remained his reserve position but the debate would not necessarily be on the same basis as that on 1 July, ie, time limited with only one speaker per party.

2. VISIT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON

The programme for the visit by President Clinton was discussed. Some members expressed reservations about the suggested groupings for the Long Gallery which split some parties into 2 groups while other parties were combined as one group. There were suggestions that it might be more appropriate for each party to form one group. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would feed the comments back to the organisers and try to get agreement. Unless otherwise informed it will be assumed that each party group will be headed by the party leader. The Committee accepted the restrictions being put in place during the visit. Mr Carson informed members that it is not currently the intention to search members. Mr C Wilson asked that it be put on record that he has no difficulty in being searched.

3. ASSEMBLY MEETING ON 14 SEPTEMBER 1998

The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he has not as yet received any indication if the reports by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and by the Committee on Standing Orders will be available by 14 September but that he hoped that interim reports will at least be available. He also noted that the Secretary of State intends to introduce some additions to the Initial Standing Orders. The Committee expressed concerns that parties as required in Standing Orders have not as yet been consulted by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Access for the public was discussed briefly. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would arrange to have details on public access to the House of Commons and to the last Assembly issued to members. To be discussed at the next meeting.

4. PARTY SEATING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CHAMBER

A copy of the Chamber layout was circulated to the Committee. The Initial Presiding Officer was asked to come up with 2 proposals for allocation of seats in the Chamber. To be discussed at the next meeting.

5. SHADOW ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

The breakdown of the membership of the Shadow Assembly Commission was discussed. The Initial Presiding Officer suggested that the UUP, SDLP, DUP and Sinn Fein should each provide one member plus one from among the other parties and that representatives should be taken from among backbenchers. Mr C Wilson suggested the numbers should be enlarged to take in one member from each party. After discussion it was accepted the membership will stand at 5 and that application to increase the membership could be made to the Secretary of State. Ms McWilliams asked that parties give some thought to gender makeup of the Shadow Assembly Commission. Parties are requested to give names of representatives to the Initial Presiding Officer before the next Committee meeting.

6. RULES GOVERNING TELEVISION COVERAGE OF PROCEEDINGS

Draft rules were agreed.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Room Allocations: the Initial Presiding Officer reported that discussions are still taking place. Whips rooms should be available for occupation during the week.

Pensions for Assembly Members: a note has issued to members about the need to make provision for buying back contributions.

Procedural Consequences of Devolution: to be returned to at the next meeting.

Official Record: the Initial Presiding Officer provided an update on action being taken with regard to distribution of the Official Record of the first meeting. Additional copies of the Official Record have not been available because of the prospect of a legal action. Legal advice has been taken and is now with the Secretary of State for her consideration. It may be necessary to distribute a slightly amended version of the Report. The Committee were reminded that the Initial Standing Orders gives members only limited privilege. The press have also been reminded of this.

Official Record Staff: the Initial Presiding Officer reported that it has not been possible to find staff at the correct grade proficient in either the Irish language or Ulster-Scots from within the Civil Service, consequently advertisements are being placed in the press. There are also difficulties in preparing aptitude tests for Ulster-Scots. There was a brief discussion about the cost of employing staff solely for the purpose of transcribing Irish or Ulster-Scots. The Initial Presiding Officer however pointed out that the individuals would be required to undertake normal editorial duties in English in addition to transcribing Irish or Ulster-Scots.

Lobbyists: Mr Wells reported that he has been approached by lobbyists wanting to know what ground rules have been put in place. The Initial Presiding Officer suggested no decisions should be taken until it is clear what advice comes from the Neill Commission.

Christmas Cards: the Initial Presiding Officer agreed to have some proposals for Christmas cards plus costs available for the next meeting.

8. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 8 September at 9.00 am.