COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
Minutes of Proceedings
WEDNESDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr David McClarty
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Vivien Ireland (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Mary Carroll (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Ken Robinson
The meeting opened at 2.01 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2.02 pm Mr Declan O’Loan joined the meeting.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 th September 2008
Agreed: that the draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 th September were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The clerk updated the Committee on the current position with the tender for drafting Standing Orders. The Committee noted the information relating to the number of policy positions on Standing Orders.
Agreed: the Committee agreed that the work on statements and joint committees will be given priority by the draftsperson and that these amendments will be brought by motion for Assembly approval.
4. Joint Committees
The Committee considered written submissions from the Speaker and the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group regarding issues on Joint Committees.
Agreed - The Committee agreed that it was content with the suggestions of the Speaker to be adopted. The Committee agreed that the clerk should prepare instructions for the draftsperson.
5. Inquiry into Assembly Questions
The Committee noted the response from the clerk on issues relating to supplementary questions which were raised at last week’s meeting. In addition, members also noted the response from Assembly Research to a Committee query on the provision for independent members during oral question time in other legislatures.
The Committee discussed issues raised in a written submission from the Speaker relating to Assembly Questions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to give further consideration to the issues relating to Assembly Questions which were raised by the Speaker and by members.
Members noted a further written submission from the clerk of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly on their process in place for Question Time. In addition, members considered further comments from Dr Baldwin, Dean and Director of Operations, Wroxton College in relation to the procedures and practices of Question Time in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that there was no need to call Dr Baldwin for evidence and that further information will be obtained on Wroxton College, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Agreed. The Committee agreed that further information should be sought from Assembly Research regarding the subject of ‘topicality’ in Westminster.
The chairperson reminded the Committee that evidence will be taken on its “Inquiry into Assembly Questions” at the next meeting on 8 th October 2008. In addition, the Committee was advised that the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Sinn Féin Party had not provided nominees to participate in a structured interview with Assembly Research regarding Assembly Questions.
6. Visit to Canada
The clerk updated members on information obtained on Nova Scotia and other provincial legislative Assemblies in Canada.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a visit to the Canadian Parliaments will be considered at a future date.
7. Any Other Business
The Committee was advised that the Director of Clerking was observing the items of business at today’s meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Director of Clerking would remain in the room to observe the proceedings in closed session.
Meeting continued in closed session at 2.39 pm.
8. Private Legislation
Members considered the Committee’s draft report on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis, as follows:
Paragraphs 1 – 30 were agreed.
Members deliberated on Paragraph 31.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 31 will be amended to allow the Committee to seek oral evidence when required. Members will reconsider this paragraph at its next meeting.
Paragraphs 32 – 57 were agreed.
Members deliberated on paragraph 58.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 58 will be amended to include the sequence of events when any MLA proposes an amendment at Committee Stage. Members will reconsider this paragraph at its next meeting.
Paragraphs 59 – 67 were agreed.
Paragraph 68 was agreed as a Committee recommendation.
3.00 pmMr David McClarty left the meeting.
Paragraphs 69 – 99 were agreed.
Paragraphs 100 – 101 were agreed subject to obtaining the opinion and views of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.
Paragraphs 102 – 105 were agreed.
Members deliberated on paragraph 106.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 106 will be amended to show that in the event of a tied vote, the chairperson will have the casting vote.
Paragraphs 107 – 112 were agreed.
The Committee was advised that a final version of the report will be brought back to the Committee for agreement and order to print. Members were advised that the report will be followed by a debate in Plenary.
Members were advised by the chairperson that the following papers will be considered at the Committee’s next meeting: cover page; membership and powers; table of contents; introduction; summary of recommendations; executive summary and appendices.
3.19 pmMr Declan O’Loan left the meeting.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 8 th October 2008 at 2.00 pm in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.20 pm.