COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr David McClarty
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Wendy Young (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Gwyneth Deconink (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Sean Neeson Mr Willie Clark
The meeting opened at 2.03pm 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 2 April, 2008
Agreed: the draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 nd April were agreed.
4. Matters of the Day
The Committee noted the advice from legal services tabled at the meeting.
2.05pm Mr Francis Brolly joined the meeting.
2.06pm Mr Ken Robinson joined the meeting.
The Committee noted the amendments to the draft of Standing Order 23(A).
Agreed: The Committee agreed that they were content with the technical amendments to the draft Standing Order.
Agreed: The Clerk would send out the amended draft Standing Order to the Members.
2.13pm Mr Mervyn Storey joined the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that they were content for the Chairperson to table a motion to take the draft Standing Order to the Assembly for approval.
Agreed: The Members agreed to inform party colleagues that the motion for the draft Standing Order will be taken by the end of April 2008, subject to Business Committee scheduling.
The Committee noted the draft guidance note on Matters of the Day.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the guidance note on Matters of the Day would be used by the Speaker and as such it would be left to the Speaker to amend if required.
5. Written Ministerial Statements
The Committee discussed the issue of Written Ministerial Statements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to allow for Written Ministerial Statements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer changes to Standing Orders allowing for Written Ministerial Statements until making changes to the Standing Order 18 – Statements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to inform them of the Committee’s decision.
6. Right of Reply
The Committee noted the legal advice tabled at the meeting.
The Committee noted the document outlining to the public the options available for Right of Reply.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to minor amendments to this document to make it more user friendly as advised by the information Office.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that this document should be installed on the Committee on Procedures section of the Northern Ireland Assembly Website.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted the correspondence received from the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
Agreed: To ensure sufficient time to consider and agree a new Standing Order allowing the Attorney General to report to the Assembly, the Committee agreed to write to OFMDFM asking them to keep the Committee informed of developments.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider and agree a new Standing Order.
8. Any Other business.
The Committee discussed the issue of amendments to amendments to legislation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research on procedures in other legislatures.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 30 th April 2008 at 2.00 in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The meeting moved at 2.47pm into closed session.
10. Private Bills Policy (Private Session)
The Committee considered the policy document on private legislation and asked for clarification on a number of issues.
Agreed: The Clerk would consult the advice of legal services on this policy document and agreed to move to drafting the Standing Orders accordingly.
2.54pm Mr David McClarty left the meeting.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Commission on the suggested fees.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Director General on the need to appoint an existing official to act as the “Examiner of Private Bills” in the future.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Bill Office indicating that they will need to develop guidance for promoters and objectors to a Private Bill.
11. Committee Systems and Structures
3.17pm Mr Adrian McQuillan left the meeting.
3.18pm Mr Adrian McQuillan rejoined the meeting.
The Committee noted advice from legal services tabled at the meeting.
The Committee noted a response from SDLP tabled at the meeting.
The Committee noted the verbal response of UUP.
The Committee noted the previous responses to Committee Systems and Structures.
3.29pm Mr Declan O’Loan left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee discussed and agreed its position on the following issues:
- Committee membership
- Substitutes
- Rapporteurs
- Days and times for committee meetings
- Voting
- Quorum
- Joint committees
Agreed: It was agreed that the Clerk will draft a report on Committee Systems and Structures for the approval of the Committee at subsequent meetings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.36 pm.