PRESENT: The Speaker
Dr D O'Hagan
Rev R Coulter
Mr J Fee
Mrs E Bell
Mr J Wells

IN THE CHAIR: The Speaker

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr A Moir, Mr G Cosgrave, Mr T Evans Mr P Carlisle, Miss G Campbell, Mr M Barnes, Mr A Black, Mr D Millar, Mrs A Peacocke.
Mr P Terrington, Mr D Crothers, (PWC) were in attendance for agenda item 3

1.1 The minutes of the forty third and forty fourth meetings of the Assembly Commission, held on 15 and 22 January 2002, were accepted.

2. CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS

2.1 Written Question

The Speaker advised that Mrs Nelis had put down a question for written answer by the Assembly Commission in relation to the appointment of Special Advisors. The Office of the Assembly Commission to draft a response.

Mr Fee asked that the issue of Special Advisors be tabled at a future Assembly Commission meeting as a substantive agenda item.

2.2 Disclosure of Members' Allowances

Mr Millar advised that the information on Members' Allowances would be available in the week commencing 4 February 2002.

Members agreed that a note should issue from the Speaker inviting Members to check the accuracy of the figures prior to publication.

The Speaker advised members that a meeting with Press representatives had been arranged for 30 January 2002. The Speaker, Rev Coulter and Mr Fee confirmed that they would be in attendance.

The Speaker advised that a collection of Rowel Friers' drawings of Members of the previous Assembly was being auctioned on Monday 4 February 2002 and that it had been suggested that the Northern Ireland Assembly may wish to purchase. It was agreed that the Commission should view the collection with the intention of acquiring the drawings for public display in Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker reminded members of the Conor portrait in the custody of the Assembly depicting the first sitting of the Northern Ireland Government in 1922. The Speaker tabled a proposal that a portrait of the full Assembly should be commissioned as soon as possible. The Speaker agreed to explore the practicalities of commissioning the portrait. Members endorsed the proposal that a photograph of the Assembly's staff should also be commissioned.

2.5 Late Senator Jack Barnhill

Members were provided with copies of a letter from the late Senator Barnhill's brother which had been published in local newspapers shortly after the tragic death of Senator Barnhill. Members agreed that the Speaker should investigate whether the original letter could be acquired on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

2.6 Post Office

Rev Coulter raised the matter of the Post Office closing at 14:30 on sitting days. The Speaker agreed to investigate whether this arrangement could be reviewed.

3.1 Mr Terrington, PWC, presented the main fundings of the interim report Members agreed that the report was substantial and that it would be appropriate to have further meetings with the consultants to explore the many issues raised by the review.

4.1 A draft copy of the report was tabled at the meeting. Members agreed to consider and provide comments to the Clerk to the Assembly Commission.

5.1 The Speaker advised members that he had had a positive meeting with the Royal Ulster Architects' Society (RUAS) on the proposal to run a design competition. The Speaker confirmed that specific proposals would be tabled at the next meeting.

Mr Fee asked that the issue of using the Euro at the retail outlets in Parliament Buildings be considered at a future meeting.

The Speaker advised members that a final decision on this issue needs to be taken at the 5 March Commission meeting.

6.1 Tuesday 19 February 2002 at 3:00 pm in room 106.