COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

WEDNESDAY 3 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

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

Apologies: Mr David McClarty

The meeting opened in public session at 2.05 p.m.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Chairperson’s business

Members discussed the Hansard transcripts being placed in the Assembly Library after they are issued to Committee Members.

Agreed: Members agreed to transcripts being placed in the Library.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2007.

Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.

4. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Inquiry into Electronic Voting

Committee Members were briefed and given a powerpoint presentation by Mr Alan Murphy and Bridget Doody, House of the Oireachtas and John McMahon and Gary Conway, Office of Public Works. A question and answer session ensued.

Mr Ken Robinson arrived at 2.11 p.m.
Mr Willie Clarke arrived at 2.40 pm.
Mr Raymond McCartney left the meeting at 3.00 pm.

The Chairperson thanked the officials for their informative briefing.

6. Private Bills

Members agreed to postpone the briefing on Private Legislation from Mr Martin Wilson until the next meeting on 17 October 2007.

Agreed: The Clerk agreed to place Private Bills on the next Agenda.

7. Report on visit to the Scottish Parliament

Members discussed the visit to Scotland and agreed to come back to the Clerk with any issues.

8. Standing Orders

The Clerk took the Members through the paper on Standing Orders, outlining the four options. Discussion took place and Members agreed that the Chairperson should request a meeting with the Speaker to discuss the scheduling of plenary business and the issue of the Order Paper.

Agreed: The Clerk to request a meeting with the Speaker.

9. Visit to London

Members noted the paper on the visit to Westminster and agreed that any future visits should be scheduled at a time not to interfere with Plenary.

Agreed: Committee staff to issue pack to members in due course.

10. Correspondence

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk of the Standards and Privileges Committee confirming that they will be taking forward a review of the sanctions under Standing Order 64(Members’ Interests).

Members noted correspondence from the UUP relating to the review of Standing Orders.

Members noted four items of correspondence in response to the Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures from the Business Committee, the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, the Executive and The Clerk to the Assembly.

Agreed: Members agreed to look at the correspondence on Committee Systems and Structures in greater detail at a later stage.

11. Forward Work Programme

Members agreed to consult again with the various interest groups after the Committee has completed its consideration of the issues during Inquiries.

Agreed: Members agreed to the Clerk updating the Forward Work Programme.

12. Any other business

There was no other business

13. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 17 October 2007 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.55 p.m.

LORD MORROW
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

5 September 07 / Menu