Present:

Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr I Davis

Mr S Farren (representing 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 J Wilson

Mr N Carson

Mr N Johnston

Miss A Moore

An apology was received from Mr D Watson.

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

It was agreed matters arising should be taken at the next meeting.

3. PLENARY MEETING ON 18 JANUARY 1999 : SPEECHES

Order Paper: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he had not yet received an agreed competent motion for inclusion in the Order Paper from the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate). He said that under Initial Standing Orders if the Order Paper is not circulated by 10.30 am on Friday the plenary meeting as scheduled will not be able to proceed as planned. Under normal circumstances the Order Paper should be sent out the previous day by special delivery. The Initial Presiding Officer expressed regret that while it will technically be possible for the plenary session to commence as planned it involves a level of discourtesy to members as the public will know the details of the motion before they do. He also said that he could not give an absolute guarantee that there will be a meeting though possibilities included a later start time, or commencement on Tuesday 19 January. Mr J Wilson said that given the nature of discussions which had been going on between parties it may be necessary to be as flexible as possible even though it may be discourteous. The Initial Presiding Officer also reported that it is possible the Report from the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate) will be issued later in the day.

Speeches: The Initial Presiding Officer asked if there was any likelihood of reaching agreement on the proposal that members should be given extended speaking time during the debate on the Report by the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate). Mr J Wilson said that his party would not support the proposal. Mr P Robinson commented that he felt it was regrettable that extra speaking time would not be possible.

The Initial Presiding Officer said that as soon as the Order Paper was available arrangements would be made to have it delivered by hand to Whips (and faxed), to party offices, placed in pigeonholes as well as the usual special delivery arrangements.

4. ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

Press Statement: Mr B Hutchinson enquired about press reports that the Initial Presiding Officer had made a statement saying there would be no plenary meeting on Monday 18 January if a motion was not received from the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate) in time for the Order Paper to be circulated. The Initial Presiding Officer replied that he had not made any statement, he had however sent a note to Whips which said that the Order Paper must be published by 10.30 am on the morning of 15 January if the sitting of the Assembly scheduled for Monday 18 January is to proceed as planned at 10.30 am. Mr Hutchinson expressed the view that if necessary the sitting of the Assembly could start at a later time.

Times for Plenary Meetings: Mr J Wilson enquired if the Initial Presiding Officer had asked the Committee on Standing Orders to revisit both the start and end times for plenary meetings or just start times. The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that he had written to the Joint Chairmen of that Committee to ask that the Committee revisit the whole issue of times of sittings including sitting on into the evenings.