COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Lord Browne
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr David McClarty
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson
In attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mr Francie Brolly
The meeting opened in public session at 2.01 p.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2.02 p.m. Mr Mervyn Storey arrived
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s Business.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2007
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2007 were agreed.
2.04 p.m. Mr Willie Clarke arrived.
4. Matters arising
Agreed: The Committee agreed an amendment to Standing Order 15 which would allow amendments to be tabled by 9.30am two days before the motion is to be taken.
5. Committee Systems and Structures
The Committee was briefed by Ms Stephanie Galbraith, Assembly Research and Library Services on the results from the Members survey on Committee Systems and Structures.
Agreed: The Clerk agreed to prepare a paper on consideration of issues arising from the Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures for the next meeting.
6. Bill of Rights Forum Debate
The Committee was briefed by Ms Claire Cassidy, Assembly Research and Library Services on a comparative analysis of procedures governing the Right of Reply and Prior Notification in legislative chambers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would be impractical to develop a procedures for Prior Notification.
Agreed: The Clerk agreed to prepare an options paper regarding the Right of Reply for the next meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to look in greater detail at the process in place for Right of Reply in Dáil Éireann during their forthcoming visit there in February.
7. Matters of the Day
Following consultation with the Speaker and Party Whips regarding the possibility of drafting a procedure which would deal with “Matters of the Day”, the Committee agreed a number of recommendations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Assembly Draftesperson should be asked to draft a new Standing Order for “Matters of the Day” for Committee approval.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Committee staff should produce a guidance note which would accompany the new Standing Order, for their approval.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that once the draft Standing Order and guidance note was approved by the Committee, they would be sent to the Speaker and Party Whips before taking them forward for approval by the Assembly.
8. Statements
Following discussion on the concerns raised by the Business Committee regarding statements, the Committee agreed to advise the Business committee of the following:
Agreed: The Committee agreed that copies of statements should be available to Members 30 minutes before the Minister delivers the statement in the Assembly, unless this was not possible due to a technical reason, or in the case of urgent statements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that they were content with the current procedure which does not allow a debate or vote on a statement.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the provision for only two and a half hours notice to be give to the Speaker regarding a statement could be amended to provide longer notice were possible. The Committee agreed that notice of not less than seven working days in advance would be acceptable but agreed to seek the views of the Business Committee on this.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that there should be provision for the Speaker to have discretion to take statements if a written copy had not been made available to Members 30 minutes beforehand.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the time allocated for questions is adequate.
9. Amendments to Standing Orders
The Committee discussed Standing Order 20(2) – Private Notice Questions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to amend the title of Standing Order 20(2) to “Urgent Questions”.
The Committee discussed the amendments to Standing Orders 49, 50 and 53, which would allow the Audit Committee, The Committee on Procedures and the Business Committee the power to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the amendments to Standing Orders 49, 50 and 53 and the Motion which would go to the Business Office in relation to this.
The Committee discussed the draft amendment provided by the draftsperson, to Standing Order 48 – Non Statutory Committees and other amendments which the draftsperson suggested for clarity and conformity with the new Standing Order 48.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Business Office, the Clerk of the Assembly and Legal Services should be consulted prior to a final agreement on amending Standing Order 48.
10. Forward Work Plan
The Committee noted and agreed the updated Forward Work Plan covering the period January 2008 to June 2008.
11. Any other business
The Committee were advised that the visit to Dáil Éireann had been arranged for 6 February 2008. Members were asked to indicate their intention to attend the visit and advised that a visit pack would issue in due course.
12. Date, time and place of the next meeting.
The date of the next meeting will be 23 January 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.20 p.m.