Present:

The Initial Presiding Officer

Mrs E Bell (representing Mr D Ford)

Mr I Davis

Mr M Durkan

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr J Leslie (representing Mr J Wilson)

Mr R McCartney QC MP

Mr E McGrady MP

Mr F Molloy

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M McWilliams)

Mr M Morrow

Mr M Robinson (representing Mr P Robinson)

Mr C Wilson

Mr M Barnes

Mr J Reynolds

Mr N Johnston

Mrs G Campbell

Miss A Moore

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed

2. MATTERS ARISING

Future Plenary Meetings: The Initial Presiding Officer addressed a number of issues which arose from the CAPO meeting of 23 March 1999.

- The implications of a direction from the Secretary of State to call a meeting at short notice: a note has been included in Forthcoming Business to remind Members that they should be available to attend a meeting of the Assembly, at relatively short notice. However the Secretary of State had indicated that she had no intention of calling a meeting of the Assembly without proper notice.

- The rules governing the notice and proposal for a motion for exclusion under Initial Standing Order 24: the Initial Presiding Officer reported that he has taken legal advice regarding the admissibility of a motion for exclusion, that contains fewer than 30 signatures. Legal advice indicated that, before the motion could be moved, the Initial Presiding Officer would determine whether 30 Members supported the motion being moved. Provided he was satisfied, the motion could be debated. At the end of the debate the Initial Presiding Officer should again determine whether the motion should be moved to a vote. The Initial Presiding Officer indicated that he intended to adopt this approach.

- The rules governing speaking times in the event of a motion for exclusion: The Initial Presiding Officer suggested allowing from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm for a debate on a motion for exclusion and allowing the following order and speaking times:

Proposer : opportunity to present the case with an indicative period of up to 60 minutes

Respondent : indicative period up to 60 minutes

Other speakers : 10 minutes each

Proposer to wind : up to 30 minutes (indicative time)

Respondent to wind : up to 30 minutes (indicative time)

Standing Orders require the running of the d'Hondt procedure immediately after the exclusion motion. The Initial Presiding Officer suggested an adjournment, until the next day at that point, when the setting up of Committees and the selection of Committee Chairs and Deputy Chairs under the d'Hondt procedure would be completed. The Assembly could then adjourn, at the call of the Chair, to allow parties time to consider Committee membership. Members indicated that they were content with these proposals. If, however, parties are ready to proceed with the appointment of Committees, this would be done without delay.

Legislation: This matter is dealt with under item 5.

Travel Costs Relating to Talks: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that the Minister of State, Mr Murphy MP, met with the Shadow Assembly Commission to discuss travel costs relating to talks. The Minister said he would look again at the matter. A reply is awaited.

Work Load following Devolution: This matter is dealt with under item 5.

Short Money:The Initial Presiding Officer has not yet received a reply from Mr Murphy MP to his letter seeking clarification on the payment of Short Money following devolution.

Guidelines: The production of guidelines for officials is on going.

Proceedings of Shadow Assembly Commission Meetings: The Shadow Assembly Commission has agreed to Whips receiving copies of minutes of meetings, and they have been sent out.

Party Emblems: A note on the use of party emblems has been included in the All Party Notice issued on 20 May 1999.

Events Office: Interviews are to be held to recruit additional staff for the Events Office. It is hoped this will resolve the problems Members have found in contacting that office.

3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS

The establishment of a Shadow Committee on Standards was discussed.

Agreed: That consideration should be deferred until after devolution.

4. PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT BY THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

A letter from the Clerk of the Ad Hoc Committee (Port of Belfast) seeking advice on presenting the report of the Committee was circulated.

Agreed: That the report should be presented at a plenary meeting before devolution if that were possible and that up to a half day for debate would be provided.

5. FORTHCOMING BUSINESS/LEGISLATION PRE AND POST DEVOLUTION

Forthcoming Business: A paper detailing matters for consideration, pre devolution was circulated.

Legislation: A reply from Mr Murphy MP listing legislation that is expected to come before the Assembly upon devolution was circulated.

Also circulated was a paper detailing matters for consideration, post devolution. The Initial Presiding Officer noted that he expects approximately 20 pieces of legislation to come before the Assembly shortly after devolution. The timing consequences of this were considered.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Lines of Demarcation: The Initial Presiding Officer suggested a meeting between CAPO and the Shadow Assembly Commission to establish areas of responsibility.

Agreed: That this matter should be left until after devolution.

Procedures: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that the Committee on Standing Orders has indicated that it will not assume responsibility for procedural matters. However, procedures for questions should be given some consideration prior to devolution. The Clerk of Business is looking into this on behalf of the Presiding Officer.

Conduct of Divisions: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that a test of the procedures for divisions under Standing Orders highlighted a number of potential problems. He suggested that it would be useful to demonstrate the procedures for CAPO.

Security Passes: Mr Davis asked if MPs and Members of the House of Lords would be entitled to a pass for Parliament Buildings. The Initial Presiding Officer reported that he had written to the Presiding Officers of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly to consider the development of a common approach to the relationship with Westminster by the devolved legislatures, including such issues as passes.

7. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be at the call of the Chair.