COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 23 JANUARY 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Lord Browne
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Adrian McQuillan
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:
Raymond McCartney
The meeting opened in closed session at 2.02 p.m.
Committee Systems and Structures – Consideration of Issues
The Committee give detailed consideration to a number of issues arising out of its inquiry into Committee systems and structures and agreed that it would consult with the Chairpersons Liaison Group, the Assembly and Executive Review Group and the Party Whips before finalising recommendations.
Mr Storey, Mr Clarke and Mr McQuillan joined the meeting at 2.03pm.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.05pm.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 2:40pm.
Mr O’Loan rejoined the meeting at 2:44pm.
Mr Storey left the meeting at 3:06pm.
Mr Storey rejoined the meeting at 3:09pm.
Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 3.14pm.
Mr McQuillan joined the meeting at 3.19pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consult with the Chairpersons Liaison Group, the Assembly and Executive Review Group and the Party Whips before finalising recommendations.
The meeting went into public session at 3.21pm.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s Business
3. Draft minutes of the Meeting held on 9 January 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee discussed the recommendation from the draftsperson that Standing Order 50 (5) could be revised.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consult the Business Committee regarding an amendment to Standing Order 50 (5).
5. Right of Reply
The Committee noted the paper on right of reply and agreed to revisit the topic after investigating how right of reply is use in Dáil Éireann.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to re visit the topic after investigating how the procedure is used in Dáil Éireann.
6. Matters of the Day
The Committee give consideration to a draft Standing Order on Matters of the Day and noted a number of amendments. The Committee requested further information on the current procedures used by the Assembly to mark the death of an Assembly Member and ex Member. The Committee agreed to consider Matters of the Day at the next available meeting. The Committee noted the guidance notes for Matters of the Day and agreed that Members would forward any amendments to the Clerk.
Agreed: to obtain further information on current procedures dealing with marking the death of a Member / ex Member and to consider Matters of the Day at the next available meeting.
Mr Storey left the meeting at 3:41pm
Mr Neeson left the meeting at 3:45pm
7. Audit Committee – Amendment to Standing Order 53
The Committee considered the request from the Audit Committee for an amendment to SO53 which would allow them to table a motion, for approval by the Assembly, relating to the salary of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The amendment would also cover previous requests for amendments from the Audit Committee regarding the need to set it up by resolution and the powers to call for persons and papers.
Agreed: to table a motion for an amendment to SO53 as soon as possible.
8. Any other business
- The Members travelling to Dublin on 6 th February noted a memo on the agenda for the day and on travel arrangements.
- The Committee agreed that the survey of Members on Committee Systems and Structures should not be released until the report is published.
Agreed: the survey of Members on Committee Systems and Structures should not be released until the report is published.
- The Committee noted that OFMDFM have now forwarded to the Committee the paper requested in November on Written Ministerial Statements. The Committee agreed to consider this paper at the meeting of 5 th March.
Agreed: that the paper on Written Ministerial Statements will be considered at the meeting of 5 th March.
- The Committee agreed to meet informally with the IS Office in the voting lobbies of the Chamber to look at methods of improving the flow of Members through the lobbies during divisions.
Agreed: those Members who were available would meet with the IS Office at 9.30am on Thursday 7 th February 2008.
9. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting will be 20 th February at 9.30pm in room 21.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:14pm.