MINUTES OF THE TWENTY FIRST MEETING OF
THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION
HELD ON MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2001 AT 5.00PM
IN ROOM 106

PRESENT: The Speaker
Rev Robert Coulter
Dr Dara O'Hagan
Mrs E Bell
Mr John Fee
Mr Jim Wells

IN THE CHAIR: The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr T Evans, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr P Carlisle, Mr D Millar,
Mr A Black and Ms G Campbell.
Ms C Cleland was in attendance for Agenda item 3.
Mr B McGuigan was in attendance for Agenda item 3.

1. Minutes of the nineteenth and twentieth meetings were accepted.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Catering Report

Mr Evans to arrange for members of the Catering and Functions Committee to attend the next Commission meeting to discuss the proposal to increase wage levels for Mount Charles' staff.

2.2 Security Passes for MEPs and Westminster Parliamentarians

Dr O'Hagan asked if Members of the Dail, who are resident in Northern Ireland can also be provided with security passes. The Speaker explained that this is not possible under the existing agreement which applies to Northern Ireland residents who are members of legislatures with jurisdiction over Northern Ireland. Dr O'Hagan agreed to table a proposal at the next meeting.

2.3 Facilities for Non-Government Bills

Mr Evans is meeting with officials from the Scottish Parliament on 8 February 2001 and will report back to the next meeting. In response to Mrs Bell's enquiry the Speaker confirmed that Standing Orders already makes provision for the passage of Private Members' Bills, but that no financial support is currently available.

2.4 Christmas Cards

Examples of photographs taken during the recent snow were made available for members to consider and pass comments to Ms Campbell.

2.5 Paper on Alternative Energy Sources

The Speaker reported that Dr Doran had provided a substantial paper on alternative energy sources and recycling initiatives. It was agreed that Dr Doran should meet with Dr O'Hagan and Mr Wells with a view to providing an executive summary for consideration by the Commission.

2.6 Members' Allowances

Mr Evans to arrange for Mr Gallagher to meet with Commission members on 13 February 2001 to discuss guidance on OCAs and travel and subsistence.

2.7 Poppies and Lilies

No reply has as yet been received from the National Graves Association. Mr Evans to issue a follow up letter. The Speaker proposed that this matter be discussed at the Assembly Commission meeting scheduled for 19 February 2001.

2.8 Procurement

Ms Garvie to present the findings of her Report on 12 February.

2.9 Staff Security Passes

Members considered and cleared the final mock-ups submitted by the Head of Security.

2.10 Off-site Committee Centres

The Speaker advised that he had raised this matter with the Business Committee who had requested an indication of the costs for individual meetings held outside of Parliament Buildings. It was agreed that Mr Torney should prepare a final report for 19 February meeting which the Speaker will present to the Liaison Committee on 28 February.

The meeting was suspended at 5.30 pm for a division and resumed at 5.50 pm.

2.11 Assembly Award

The Speaker is still to meet with the College of Arms to discuss this matter.

2.12 Accommodation for Drivers

The Head of Security is dealing with this matter and will report back to an early Commission meeting.

2.13 Fair Trade

Mr Evans has provided a written response to the queries raised by Dr Paisley and Ian Paisley Jnr.

2.14 Audit on Disabled Access

It was agreed that Ms Cleland should begin work on this important issue immediately after completion of the economic appraisal.

2.15 Pager Service

The Speaker reported that he had raised this matter with the Business Committee when it was agreed that a messaging service, similar to the House of Lords system, should be explored.

2.16 Clerk to the Assembly

The Speaker advised that letters had issued to all the unsuccessful candidates and that first day briefings were being prepared for the new Clerk.

3. Accommodation

3.1 Option Costs

Mr Evans presented a series of tables summarising the net present costs for each of the appraisal options. Mr McGuigan provided further explanation of the cost differences between the various options. Members signed off the financial projections for each of the costed options.

3.2 Non-Monetary Factors

Following detailed consideration of the non-monetary factors Members agreed that a visit to Ormiston House, to review the access facilities, was required before coming to any decision on the preferred appraisal option.

4. Staffing

4.1 Members were asked to consider the papers tabled by Mr Rogers for discussion at the next meeting.

5. Party Allowances

5.1 Members were asked to consider the paper presented by Mr Millar for discussion at the next meeting. It was agreed that members could consult with Party colleagues.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Memorial Service for Mr T Benson

The Speaker agreed to explore the proposal to provide Tom Benson's family with a video of the memorial service scheduled for 12 February. Mr Fee proposed that procedures need to be agreed in relation to the death of Members in service. The Speaker advised that a draft condolence paper has been prepared for consideration by the Business Committee.

6.2 Use of Constituency Offices during election campaigns

Mr Wells raised this matter following receipt of a letter issued by Mr Millar. He suggested that constituency offices could be used for election campaigning provided the relevant party met all the associated costs. It was agreed that the Speaker would seek guidance from the House of Commons on this issue.

6.3 Use of Parliament Buildings for party fundraising events

The Speaker reported that there were two requests to hold Party fundraising events in Parliament Buildings which fall outside of the Assembly's existing regulations. It was agreed to defer any decision until officials check on the arrangements at Westminster, however, initial research would suggest that Party fundraising events are not permitted.

7. Date of Next Meeting

Monday 12 February 2001, half an hour after the House rises, in room 106.

TOM EVANS
Room: 103