Lord Alderdice (Initial Presiding Officer)

Mr I Davis

Mr M Durkan

Mr D Ford

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr R McCartney QC MP

Mr E McGrady MP

Mr F Molloy

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M McWilliams)

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson

Mr J Wells (representing Mr M Morrow)

Mr C Wilson

Mr J Wilson

Mr M Barnes

Mr N Johnston

Miss A Moore

Mrs G Campbell

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

2. MATTERS ARISING

Football Challenge: A letter has been sent to Mr Foster MP as agreed.

Seating Arrangements in the Public Gallery: The Initial Presiding Officer confirmed that on 12 February the Shadow Assembly Commission will be advised of the CAPO view that some of the seats in the Gallery set aside for the press should be made available to the public.

3. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDING ORDERS

The Initial Presiding Officer indicated that he had received a letter from the Joint Chairmen of the Committee on Standing Orders regarding the need for a Business motion altering the representation on the Committee following the recognition of the Northern Ireland Unionist Party. He reported that this action was now unnecessary as the Northern Ireland Unionist Party did not wish, at this stage, to press for representation on the Committee. However if a delay occurred in the Committee's deliberations, the Northern Ireland Unionist Party would wish to review this decision.

4. ELECTION OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER

The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he understood that a motion regarding the election of the Presiding Officer was about to be tabled. He explained that as this was a matter requiring cross-community support, the motion would have to appear on an Order Paper at least one day prior to the debate.

5. PLENARY MEETING ON 15 FEBRUARY

Report from the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate): There was a discussion on the amount of time to be allowed for this debate and for individual speakers. At the request of Members, a detailed minute of the discussion has been prepared.

Mr P Robinson suggested the Committee revisit the issue of the length of time to be allowed for speeches during the debate. As discussed at a previous meeting, the possible timings were:

For the UUP, Mr J Wilson registered his disagreement to the proposal. Mr Ford, for Alliance, said that while his party was prepared to allow longer opening speeches, he was unhappy with the proposed arrangement for wind speeches. Mr Hutchinson for the PUP indicated his willingness to discuss the issue. Ms Morrice pressed the case for sharing of time between speakers. Mr Durkan for the SDLP indicated that his party would be prepared to accept the suggested relaxation in speaking times for the debate. Mr Robinson for the DUP noted that the Secretary of State has the power to amend Initial Standing Orders and suggested that the Initial Presiding Officer should report the views of the Committee to her seeking her agreement to amend Standing Orders. Mr J Wilson for the UUP again stated his disagreement with the suggested relaxation of the speaking rules, pointed out that in his view 2 days would be sufficient for the debate, and that the Assembly should decide if the speaking time relaxation should be permitted. Mr McGrady pointed out that the Committee to Advise the Presiding Officer was just that - it could advise the Initial Presiding Officer and it was the job of the Initial Presiding Officer, having heard the advice of the Committee, to decide the way forward. Mr McCartney proposed that the Initial Presiding Officer indicate to the Secretary of State that all parties except the UUP were willing to extend the speaking times for the debate and that she be asked to amend the Initial Standing Orders accordingly. Mr Ford said that he was not entirely happy with the proposal as it stood. The Initial Presiding Officer said that it would be proper for him to consult with the Joint Chairmen of the Committee on Standing Orders now that the views of CAPO had been made clear. Mr C Wilson of the NI Unionist Party asked Mr J Wilson to reconsider his position on the issue.

Following discussion, the Initial Presiding Officer advised that the Assembly should sit on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday if necessary.

Confidentiality within CAPO: Mr McGrady said that over the past months a reasonable degree of confidentiality of CAPO meetings had been maintained despite diverse opinion. He said that CAPO was not a public platform and that he would not take part in the Committee if business were to be used for headlines. Mr McGrady also said that if this is to be the case that in future he will give advice directly to the Initial Presiding Officer. Mr Molloy and Mr J Wilson supported the view put forward by Mr McGrady. The Initial Presiding Officer then ruled that only matters reported in the minutes are for public record, that they will contain matters of advice, agreement and anything a member asks to be recorded. He also said that members are not in a position to quote the minutes until they have been circulated and approved.

6. FUTURE PLENARY MEETINGS

The Initial Presiding Officer said that additional Initial Standing Orders necessary to operate d'Hondt will be part of additional Initial Standing Orders which have yet to be determined by the Secretary of State. He also explained that a number of issues would have to be addressed in plenary by the Assembly prior to 10 March.

Agreed: 22, 23 February Report from the Shadow Assembly Commission

Motion on the Register of Members' Interests

Motion on All Party Interest Groups

1, 2 March Report from the Committee on Standing Orders

That if necessary the Assembly will meet other days prior to 10 March in order to complete outstanding business.

7. REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

A draft policy paper on the creation of a Register of Members' Interests was circulated to the Committee and introduced by Mr Johnston.

Agreed: Members would consult with parties and give comments in writing to the Initial Presiding Officer's Office before the conclusion of the next CAPO meeting.

8. LINES OF COMMUNICATION

In the absence of the Deputy Clerk this matter was deferred to the next meeting.

9. ADJOURNMENT DEBATES

Agreed: - Members will be able to suggest subjects for debate for a one hour debate.

- The Initial Presiding Officer will select a subject from suggestions received, along with the relevant speakers.

- A note will issue along with the next All Party Notice to explain how the Adjournment Debate will operate.

10. SUMMER RECESS

Agreed: That Summer Recess should commence from close of business on Friday 9 July, returning on Monday 13 September for Committee work and that plenary meetings would commence on Monday 20 September.

11. PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ASSEMBLY IN SESSION

This matter was not addressed.

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Registration of Political Parties: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that following a series of requests from parties Mr Johnston has prepared a note on the registration of political parties and that he will circulate it to party Whips.

Committee on Standing Orders: Mr C Wilson asked the Initial Presiding Officer to suggest to the joint Chairmen of the Committee on Standing Orders that the Northern Ireland Unionist Party be allowed observer status on that Committee.

13. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee will be held in Room 152 half an hour after the rise of the Assembly on the conclusion of its sitting in the week commencing 15 February.