Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2007
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

In attendance:
Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Laura Wilson (Clerical Officer)

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

  1. Apologies

There were no apologies noted.

Mr David McClarty arrived at 2.02 p.m.
Mr Adrian McQuillan arrived at 2.02 p.m.

  1. Minutes of the Meeting on 30 May 2007

Agreed  : The minutes were agreed

  1. Matters Arising

Following a discussion, which had taken place at the meeting on 13 June 2006, Members noted the guidance given regarding Dress Code in the Chamber. Members were content that this matter is currently being dealt with elsewhere.

Mr Ken Robinson arrived at 2.03 p.m.
Mr Raymond McCartney arrived at 2.05 p.m.

  1. Standing Orders
(a) Ministerial Statements – Briefing from officials from OFMDFM

Committee Members were briefed by Mrs Rosalie Flanagan, Director, Executive Services Directorate, Mr Neill Jackson, Head of Machinery of Government and Mr Alan Rogers, Head of Assembly Section, Machinery of Government. A question and answer session ensued.

Mrs Rosalie Flanagan agreed to take a number of issues back to the Executive for response to the Committee.

Agreed: Members agreed that any further issues would be put to OFMDFM in writing and a response requested.

 The Chairperson thanked the officials for their information briefing.

The briefing ended at 2.39 p.m.

Agreed: Members agreed to consult with Party Whips regarding Written Ministerial Statements and forward comments back to Committee staff.

(b) Priority List for Amendments to Standing Orders

Members agreed the priority list for amendments to Standing Orders. Members were content for the Clerk to consult with other parts of the Assembly and or seek legal advice on this matter if necessary.

Agreed: Members agreed that consultation should take place with other areas of the Assembly and legal advice sought if necessary.

Agreed: Members agreed to the publication of a report on each group of suggested amendments to Standing Orders.

  1. Forward Work Programme  

Members discussed the forward work programme for the period September 2007 to March 2008.

 Agreed: Members agreed the revised Forward Work Programme and agreed dates for the forthcoming inquiries.

Agreed: Members agreed to extend an invitation to Mr Richard Caffrey, Clerk Assistant in the Oireachtas, to brief the committee on 3 October 2007 regarding Electronic Voting.

  1. Visits

Agreed: Members agreed the visits to Scotland and Westminster. Members agreed that an overnight stay would be more suitable for the Scottish visit.

Mr David McClarty left the meeting at 2.56 p.m.
Mr Mervyn Storey left the meeting at 2.57 p.m.

  1. Correspondence  

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk of the Assembly regarding Operational Advice notes. Members were asked to forward their suggestions on how to take this matter forward, by Friday 29 June 2007.

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee regarding the inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures.

Agreed: Members agreed the Assembly Executive and Review Committee should submit a written submission, followed by a briefing at a future meeting of the Committee on Procedures.

  1. Press Release

 Agreed: Members agreed the draft press release.  

  1. Any other business  

There was no other business.

  1. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 5 September 2007 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.02 p.m.

LORD MORROW
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

13 June 2007 / Menu