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Northern Ireland Assembly

COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2007
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francis Brolly
Lord Browne
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr David McClarty
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson

In attendance:
Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting opened in private session at 2.01 p.m.

  1. Apologies

Mr Adrian McQuillan.

  1. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Committee on Procedures. Members noted the details of the secretariat support staff and the membership of the committee.

Members agreed that meetings would be held in public session. Members noted that proceedings in public are recorded and available for purchase under the Assembly Publication Scheme.

Members agreed that recordings made of private session are for staff use as an aide memoire and would be destroyed after use.

Mr Francis Brolly arrived at 2.03 p.m.

Mr Raymond McCartney arrived at 2.03 p.m.

The meeting continued in public session at 2.04 p.m.

  1. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded Members that before taking part in the first meeting of the committee, the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members states that there is a requirement to forward details of any interests financial or otherwise to the Clerk. The Chairperson requested that outstanding declarations be forwarded to committee staff. Declarations declared by Members at the meeting were as recorded in the Register of Member’s Interests.

  1. Guide to the Powers and Operation of Standing Committees

Members noted the guidance paper regarding the Powers and Operations of Standing Committees. The Chairperson referred Members to paragraphs 40-43 regarding privilege.

  1. Guide to the Role of Committee Chairperson

Members noted the guidance paper on the Role of the Committee Chairperson.

  1. Guide for Members to the Role and Function of the Committee Office

Members noted the guidance paper on the Role and Function of the Committee Office.

  1. The Role of Research

Mr John Power, Head of Research and Library Services, gave a presentation on the role of Research. Members were advised of the difficulties in relation to the shortage of Research staff.

Mr Willie Clarke arrived at 2.21 p.m.

  1. Committee Draft Work Programme

Members considered the Committee draft work programme and agreed to look at amendments to Standing Orders, private legislation, inquiries into Assembly procedures, committee visits, reprinting of Standing Orders, and the procurement of drafting services. The Clerk agreed to provide costing figures from the previous contract, which had been awarded in relation to the drafting service. The Clerk will also draft a visits programme for the next meeting.

Mr Neeson suggested the committee may want to look at voting procedures as an inquiry. It was agreed that this would be an agenda item for the next meeting.

Members agreed that the Clerk could make editorial changes to Standing Orders.

Action: Clerk

  1. Committee Press Notice

Members agreed the Press Release, which detailed the establishment and membership of the committee.

  1. Any other Business

There was no other business.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting

It was agreed that the committee would meet fortnightly on Wednesdays at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday

30 May 2007 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 2.37 p.m.

 

LORD MORROW
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

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