COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr David McClarty
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson
In attendance: Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies: Lord Browne
Mr Adrian McQuillan
The meeting opened in public session at 2.04 p.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s Business.
3. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Chairperson reported that a meeting had taken place with the Speaker to discuss the issue of the Order Paper and the scheduling of business. The Chairperson advised that it had now been agreed that the Order Paper would be issued on a Wednesday and that further consideration was being given to the scheduling of business for a two week period.
Agreed: That the Committee would review the Amendment to the Standing Order after ensuring that there were no issues with the earlier issue of the Order Paper.
5. Private Bills
The Committee were briefed by Mr Martin Wilson, Principal Clerk of Bills, on Private Bill procedures.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Terms of Reference and a list of potential witnesses would be brought to the next meeting.
6. Committee Systems and Structures
The Committee were briefed by Mr Vincent Gribbin, Research Officer on committee systems and structures.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the content of structured interview which would issue to a number of stakeholder groups.
7. Ministerial Statements
The Committee noted the response from OFMDFM regarding a number of outstanding issues relating to their appearance at a Committee meeting on 27 June 2007.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to OFMDFM to seek further clarification on the draft guidance for Ministers and additional information regarding the publication scheme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Standing Order on Statements should be given some consideration.
8. Issues arising from the visit to the Scottish Parliament
The Committee noted the paper on the visit to the Scottish Parliament and were content with the topics raised in it. Members agreed that the issue of Assembly Questions would be dealt with in the Review of Assembly Questions.
9. Standing Orders
The Committee agreed to rewrite Standing Order 48 and were content that this was done through the Assembly Draftsperson.
The Committee gave some consideration to the powers to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Standing Order 49 should be amended to include a provision to enable the Committee on Procedures to have the power to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Ad Hoc Committees should have the power to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Business and Audit Committee to ask if they require this power.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the issues around Standing Order 20 would be incorporated into the Review of Assembly Questions.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Arthur Moir regarding the Committee’s Inquiry into Electronic Voting.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group regarding the Inquiry into Electronic Voting.
11. Forward Work Plan
The Committee noted and agreed the changes to the Forward Work Plan.
12. Any other business
The Chairperson advised that a copy of the Water Service Annual Report 2006/07 had been received and was available in the Committee Room if any Member wishes to see it.
13. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting is 14 November 2007 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.52 p.m.