MINUTES OF THE THIRTY FOURTH MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION HELD ON TUESDAY 17 JULY 2001 AT 3.00 PM IN ROOM 106

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

IN THE CHAIR:
The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr T Evans, Mr A Moir, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr P Carlisle, Mr D Millar, Miss G Campbell and Ms C Cleland.

Rev Coulter congratulated all those involved in the organisation of the award ceremony for the Fire Service.

1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Members agreed to defer clearance of the minutes of the previous meeting and to deal exclusively with the proposed transfer of Ormiston House.

2. ORMISTON HOUSE

2.1. The Speaker outlined the contents of the Minister of Finance and Personnel's letter of 6 July and suggested that members needed to consider the implications for the proposed transfer of Ormiston House.

2.2. Rev Coulter advised that the Police Authority were concerned about the delay in concluding the transfer process and may not be able to delay for much longer the decision to put Ormiston House on the open market.

2.3. Mr Wells advised members that he had another appointment to attend and confirmed that Rev Coulter would carry his voting strength in the event of a division.

Mr Wells left the meeting at 15:35.

2.4. The following motion, proposed by Mr Fee and seconded by Mrs Bell, was carried without division:

"That the Assembly Commission seek an urgent meeting with the Minister of Finance and Personnel to secure the Minister's agreement to acquire Ormiston House on behalf of the Commission and also that the Speaker should write immediately to all Members to inform them of developments in the Commission's efforts to obtain the additional accommodation required for the purposes by the Northern Ireland Assembly".

2.5. Mr Evans to set up an early meeting with the Minister of Finance and Personnel.