The Initial Presiding Officer

Mr M Durkan

Mr D Ford

Sir John Gorman (representing Mr I Davis)

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr R McCartney QC MP

Mr E McGrady MP

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M McWilliams)

Mr M Morrow

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson

Mr C Wilson

Mr J Wilson

Mr J Reynolds

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

Adjournment Debates: Members had been advised of the new arrangements for the receipt of topics for Adjournment Debates on 18 February.

There was a discussion about the subjects chosen for debate. It was suggested that once the Assembly moves to holding more than one plenary session each week that the Adjournment Debate scheduled for one plenary should follow the format already agreed and that another Adjournment Debate should be set aside for urgent/topical matters.

Agreed: That Members would consult with their parties and discuss this at the next meeting. That the Initial Presiding Officer should be allowed discretion to extend the debate beyond 60 minutes if other business is completed before 5.00 pm. All potential speakers in the debate should be notified to the Initial Presiding Officer before the start of proceedings.

Audio-Visual Equipment: The audio-visual equipment is on order.

Annunciators: There have been difficulties regarding the software for the provision of an annunciator service. Mr Black is hoping to have something in place by mid-March.

Internet: The Initial Presiding Officer noted that the dial-up service has been available since 8 February however only 20 Members have registered their e-mail addresses with Mr Black.

Visitors: A note was placed in All Party Notices (APN/20) to remind Members to ensure that visitors are accompanied at all times when outside the designated visitor areas. The Initial Presiding Officer also asked the Committee to remind their colleagues of the rules.

Restaurant Facilities/Functions: The Shadow Assembly Commission has recommended the establishment of a House Committee on Refreshments.

3. PLENARY MEETING ON 1, 2 MARCH

The Initial Presiding Officer reported that the Report from the Committee on Standing Orders might not be available for Monday 1 March. A discussion followed.

Agreed: That the Initial Presiding Officer would consult with the Joint Chairmen of the Committee on Standing Orders to establish if either the whole Report or a substantial part of the Report would be available for debate on 1 and 2 March.

That if the Report or part of the Report is to be available that individual Order Papers would be produced for each sitting day to allow amendments to be tabled.

In the absence of a Report that the Assembly should meet on Monday 1 March to consider the establishment of a Register of Members' Interests followed by the Adjournment Debate.

4. FUTURE PLENARY MEETINGS

The Initial Presiding Officer suggested that relevant parties might wish to liaise regarding the procedures for making nominations to Ministerial Posts. He said that this could either be dealt with at CAPO or between the relevant Party Whips.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Committee on Standing Orders: The Initial Presiding Officer reported the contents of a letter he had received from the Joint Chairmen of the Committee on Standing Orders detailing decisions taken by that Committee as follows:

- Assembly Sittings: the Committee recommended no change to the existing draft.

- Voting: the Committee has agreed draft Standing Orders that allow for Westminster-type Divisions. However the Committee in the future does not rule out considering alternative models including electronic voting.

- Members' Interests: the Committee has approved drafts.

Deputy Clerk: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that a reception is planned for 12.30 pm on 1 March to mark the departure of Mr Carson as Deputy Clerk.

Head of Administration: Mr Gerry Cosgrave will join the Assembly Secretariat on a temporary basis on the administration side and as Accounting Officer with effect from 1 March.

Confidentiality: The Initial Presiding Officer noted that the matter of confidentiality of Committee business had been raised with the Shadow Assembly Commission. It is intended to look at the regulations of the House of Commons to see how they might apply to the Assembly. The Initial Presiding Officer asked the Committee to stress to their colleagues, the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of Committee business.

Television Cameras at Lobby Events: There was a discussion about a complaint from a member of the press that television cameras are not permitted in lobby events.

Agreed: That the current arrangements should remain in place.

That the Shadow Assembly Commission should deal with the matter.

6. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee was arranged for Tuesday 2 March at 10.30 am in Room 152 but later revised to half an hour after the Assembly rises on Monday 1 March.