Present:

The Initial Presiding Officer

Mr I Davis

Mr M Durkan

Mr D Ford

Mr D Haughey (representing Mr E McGrady MP)

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr A Maskey

Mr R McCartney QC MP

Ms J Morrice (representing Prof M Mcwilliams)

Mr M Morrow

Mr C Murphy

Mr P Robinson MP

Mr D Watson

Mr J Wilson

Mr M Barnes

Mrs G Campbell

Mr J Reynolds

Mr N Johnston

Miss A Moore

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed

2. MATTERS ARISING

Publication of the Report by the Ad Hoc Committee (Port of Belfast):

Agreed: That the matter would be referred to the Regional Development Committee and that the Chairman of that Committee could present the Report to the Assembly post-devolution.

That a business motion would be prepared in order to have the Report published by the Assembly.

3. ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEXT PLENARY

Initial Standing Orders: : Mr P Robinson and Mr McCartney asked for it to be placed on record that the Secretary of State had indicated that he would be happy to meet with party representatives to discuss the proposed new Initial Standing Orders but had in fact refused to do so.

Draft Order Paper: A draft Order Paper was circulated and discussed.

Issues Arising from Personal Statement by Séamus Mallon MP: The matter was discussed.

Possible Motion for Exclusion:

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

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

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

Shadow Statutory Committees: Not all members agreed to Mr P Robinson's proposal that the 2 extra places should be allocated to the smaller parties. It was agreed that this matter would be referred to the meeting of Whips charged with making nominations for the membership of Committees.

Timings: The Initial Presiding Officer suggested the following timings:

Items 1-5   Monday 29 November 1999

Items 6-11   Tuesday 30 November 1999

If necessary the sitting would continue and be concluded on Wednesday 1 December 1999.

Speeches by Party Leaders: Mr Maskey asked if there would be any opportunity for party leaders to speak following the appointment of Ministers. A discussion followed.

Agreed: That members would consult with their parties and report their thoughts to the Initial Presiding Officer before 9.30am on Friday 26 November.

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Business not taken at the last plenary: Mr Robinson asked when the business items that were not taken at the last plenary meeting would be taken. The Initial Presiding Officer said he would take advice on when the next possible date for a sitting would be, following devolution, but proposed at this point that there would be a sitting on Monday 6 December.

Payment of Party Whips and Deputy Whips: The Initial Presiding Officer reported that for legislative and payment purposes party Whips and deputy Whips may need to be referred to as Business Managers and deputy Business Managers.

Relationship between Assembly Staff and Press: The Initial Presiding Officer advised the Committee that members of the press had asked to speak with the Ulster-Scots transcribing editor and of his ruling that members of staff would not be available to speak directly to the press without his specific authorisation. The only member of staff permitted normally to speak with the press is the Information Officer.

Party Allowances Post-Devolution: Payment of party allowances may be delayed following devolution. Arrears will be paid as soon as the relevant legislation is in place, possibly at the end of January 2000.

Accommodation: It was reported that pressures on accommodation mean that there is inadequate room in the building for all Secretariat staff. Where possible staff are sharing rooms but Parties were asked to bear in mind the pressures on staff in meeting their commitments to Members. Also, that it may be necessary at some point to revisit accommodation allocations to Members and Parties.

Staffing: The Committee was advised that following devolution staff will endeavour to provide the services Members expect however until more staff can be recruited there will be staffing shortages in some areas, notably the Committee Office. The additional pressure this will place on staff may result in difficulties in providing some services.

Booking of Rooms for Meetings: It has been suggested that rooms 144 and 135 would be set aside for meetings of Departmental Scrutiny Committees. In the event of Committees being formed, staff in the Committee Office would handle bookings of these rooms. Mr Robinson asked that wall clocks should be placed in both Committee rooms.

Mechanism for Carrying Messages from Ministers to Officials in the Officials' Boxes: The Initial Presiding Officer pointed out that one of the roles which could be performed by Whips was the relay of messages between the officials in the Officials' Boxes and Ministers in the Chamber.

Christmas Recess:

Agreed: That Christmas Recess will commence from close of business on Friday 17 December 1999, returning on week commencing Monday 10 January 2000 for Committee work and for plenary meetings in week commencing Monday 17 January 2000.

Christmas Card: Samples of the Christmas card were circulated.

Divisions: The Initial Presiding Officer said that it might be necessary to discuss the system for divisions under the new Standing Orders, before they were used in a plenary.

Misuse of Postal Services: The Initial Presiding Officer asked the Committee to remind their Members that Assembly post services and pre paid envelopes must only be used for Assembly business.

Security: The Initial Presiding Officer reported in the context of a possible heightened threat to the Building, that he has brought in Lisburn Security to provide extra security cover for a few months. Members are being asked to wear their security passes at all times in order to assist the security staff.

5.DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

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