Present:

Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr I Davis

Mr M Durkan

Mr D Ford

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr A Maskey

Mr E McGrady MP

Prof M McWilliams

Mr M Morrow

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson

Mr C Wilson

Mr J Wilson

Mr N Carson

Mrs G Campbell

Miss A Moore

Mr N Johnston

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Commemorative Stamps: The matter is dealt with under Item 5.

Summer Recess: After discussion it was agreed the Assembly should recess during August and September. The Assembly can be recalled earlier if necessary.

All Party Interest Groups: The matter is dealt with under Item 4.

Accommodation for Members: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that there are a few offices still to get computer equipment; it is intended that they will arrive during the week. Ms Lewsley has now been provided with a computer. Mr P Robinson mentioned that Lotus software was not available despite an assurance that both Microsoft and Lotus would be offered. Connection to the internet was also discussed. The matters will be looked into.

Committee Rooms: Quotations for the work on these rooms to facilitate audio recording are expected before 18 December.

Christmas Reception: The Christmas Reception has been arranged for 4.00 pm on Thursday 17 December in the Central Hall. A note was placed in All Party Notices (APN/12).

It was agreed that the next plenary meeting should be on 18 January 1999 when the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate) are to present a Report.

Mr P Robinson confirmed that he had tabled a motion proposing that an Ad Hoc Committee be set up to look at the issue of harbours. The Initial Presiding Officer said that there are 2 motions on the table on similar matters, one from Mr McGrady and one from Mr P Robinson. He suggested it might be appropriate to lay a composite motion. The subject is to be discussed again at the next CAPO meeting for possible inclusion on the agenda for the plenary meeting on 18 January 1999.

4. ALL PARTY INTEREST GROUPS

The draft Guidelines for the Formation of Assembly Cross-Party Interest Groups was briefly discussed. Members asked for more time to review the requirement that any proposed All Party Group must have members of all designations present at its instigation. The matter will be placed on the agenda for the next CAPO meeting.

The request from the Royal Mail for permission to use the New Northern Ireland Assembly emblem on a commemorative stamp was discussed briefly. The Initial Presiding Officer said it might be appropriate to request a proof of any proposed stamp. The matter will be returned to at the next meeting. (It was agreed, during discussion, that the Assembly emblem should be protected by copyright.)

The Initial Presiding Officer proposed having a photograph of the Assembly in session taken for publication on the Assembly website. Mr P Robinson suggested purchasing a photograph taken by the Belfast Telegraph photographer during the first meeting in Parliament Buildings. A copy of the photograph will be requested for the next CAPO meeting.

Christmas Carol Service: The annual carol service will be held in the Central Hall on 18 December at 1.30 pm. It will be led by the joint choirs of St Columb's and St Eugene's Cathedrals. A note was included in All Party Notices (APN/12).

Lobby Groups: Mr C Wilson said that he felt there were some groups wishing to lobby members that do not wish to be seen to be affiliated to any particular party. The Initial Presiding Officer pointed out that it is possible for a lobby group to be sponsored by more than one party, it might also be possible for an All Party Group, once established, to act as a sponsor.

Official Report Sub-Editor (Irish Speaker): The Initial Presiding Officer reported that Mr Tom Clarke will be taken on as a Sub-editor for the Official Report. Mr Clarke is Irish-proficient. Efforts are still being made to identify a suitable candidate proficient in Ulster-Scots.

Simultaneous Translation: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that simultaneous translation facilities have now been provided for his and the Clerks' use. This is in order to satisfy himself that any Irish contribution does not contain anything which might be out of order but not volunteered in the member's own English translation. Mr C Wilson asked that the information on such facilities in Wales and in the Oireachtas being compiled for the Commission include figures detailing the numbers of people in each of the areas that speak a language other than English.

Start Time for Plenary Meetings: Mr J Wilson asked members of the Committee to consider a slightly later start time for future plenary meetings. The matter will be put on the agenda for discussion at the next CAPO meeting.

Speeches: Mr P Robinson said he thought that 10 minutes was not long enough for individual contributions to allow proper debate and that the main parties did not get a proportionate share of their members speaking during debates. The Initial Presiding Officer said he understood these concerns. He drew attention to the conflicts between various interests - the requirements that each party gets at least one speaker; that the number of speakers are in proportion to party strength; that there is, if possible, a reasonable balance of speakers for and against a proposition, etc. The fact that some members speak for longer than their allotted time was also discussed. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would welcome guidance from the Committee on these matters.

Maiden Speeches: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that there are 14 members still to give their maiden speech.

The next meeting will be on Monday 11 January 1999 at 10.30 am in Room 152.