COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 02 APRIL
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Adrian McQuillan
In Attendance: Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Eithne Knappitsch (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Wendy Young (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Gwyneth Deconink (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Ken Robinson
Mr David McClarty
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at 2.09pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s business
There was no Chairperson’s business.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2008
Agreed - the draft minutes of the meeting held on 5th March were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted that correspondence was received from the National Trust outlining that the National Trust Bill was advertised in both the London Gazette and the Belfast Gazette.
The Committee noted that a response has been received from the Business Committee on issue of Statements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Executive to ask for the Executive’s views regarding any changes to the Standing Order on Statements.
The Committee noted that correspondence was received from the Bill of Rights Forum asking for a copy of the Committee’s research on right of reply procedures.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send a copy of the research on right of reply procedures to the Bill of Rights Forum.
The Committee noted correspondence from legal services in response to a query on legal liabilities attached to a Private Bill Committee or its Members in the event of negligence or dispute.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee discussed the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold longer meetings in order to clear up the backlog of work to be completed before Summer Recess.
6. Matters of the Day
The Committee discussed the issue of matters of the day.
Agreed: Members agreed that it was up to the Business Committee to decide on procedures to mark condolences for members and former members.
Agreed: Members agreed to further refinements to the Standing Order on matters of the day as suggested by Legal Services.
7. Standing Order 15 – Amendments
The Committee discussed issues relating to Standing Order 15.
Agreed: Members agreed to the interpretation of working days to include public holidays.
Agreed: Members agreed to take on board the suggestions for improvements to the Standing Order on amendments from legal services and the Speaker’s Office.
Agreed: Members agreed that they do not want to make specific provision for independent Members in the Standing Order on amendments.
Agreed: Members agreed to put SO16 Delaying Motions on the list of Standing Orders to be looked at in the future
8. Standing Order 48 – Non Statutory Committees
The Committee moved on to discuss agenda item 12 on Standing Order 48 – Non Statutory Committees.
Agreed: Members agreed that a Member can be a Deputy Chairperson of a Statutory Committee and a Standing Committee and agreed that the Draftsperson should draft the Standing Order to allow for this.
Agreed: Members agreed to the definition of “nominating officer” as drafted by Winckworth Sherwood and agreed that this definition should be included in Standing Orders.
9. Standing Order 50 – Business Committee
The Committee discussed Standing Order 50 and noted correspondence from the Business Committee on amendments to Standing Order 50(5).
Agreed: Members agreed that they were content with the opinions of the Business Committee on amendments to SO50(5).
Agreed: Members agreed to instruct the Draftsperson as to the opinions of the Business Committee and ask the Draftsperson to provide an amended Standing Order for the approval of the Committee and the Business Committee.
10. Report on visit to Dublin
The Committee noted the report on the visit to Dublin and discussed the possibility of visiting the Welsh Parliament.
Agreed: Members agreed to revisit the issue of visiting the Welsh Parliament in the Autumn of 2008.
11. Right of Reply
The Committee discussed the issue of Right of Reply.
Agreed: Members agreed that they would not move forward with a separate procedure on right of reply as they considered the methods available as outlined in Legal Advice to be sufficient.
Declan O’Loan asked that a one page document outlining the procedures currently used be prepared by the Clerk.
12. Voting Lobbies
Members considered the issue of voting lobbies.
Agreed: Members agreed that they do not want to make any modifications to the lobbies or introduce new equipment in the lobbies.
2.54 Mr Mervin Story left the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed that they do not want to move forward with a new procedure for consecutive divisions.
13. Committee Systems and Structures
Members noted a number of responses from Party Whips in relation to the Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures are still outstanding.
Agreed: members agreed that the Clerk should make contact with the Party Whips and ask them to provide a response before the next meeting on the 16th April 2008.
Agreed: members agreed that if no response has been received by the Committee on Procedures by the 16th April 2008 then it could be assumed that the Party has no interest in this issue.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to take legal advice on the points raised by the Alliance Party in their submission to the Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures.
14. Any Other business.
There was no other business.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 16th April 2008 at 2.00 in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.59 pm.