COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
Minutes of Proceedings
Wednesday, 5th November 2008
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady
Lord Wallace Browne
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr David McClarty
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Declan O’Loan
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Vivien Ireland (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Robert Barry (Assembly Research)
Apologies:
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Ken Robinson
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2.01 pm Lord Wallace Browne joined the meeting.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 22nd October 2008
Agreed: that the draft minutes of the meeting held on 22nd October were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Members noted the viewing information on Stormont Live, Holyrood Live in Scotland and Question Time in Wales which was received from Mark Devenport, British Broadcasting Corporation.
The Committee noted that LCD television screens have been installed in the galleries and that the broadcast contractor is developing a system where the text from the annunciator including questions can be displayed on these screens.
Members were advised that the Speaker will attend the Committee meeting on 19 November 2008 to explain his role in Question Time.
4. Inquiry into Assembly Questions
The Committee was briefed by Assembly Research on information held in the Assembly’s database in respect of oral Assembly Questions for the period from May 2007 to the end of September 2008.
Members were briefed by the clerk on statistical information collected from the Business Office on ordinary written and priority written Assembly Questions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Education to discuss their performance when answering Assembly Questions for the period from 1 April 2008 to 31 July 2008.
Members were advised that the evidence session with the junior Ministers cannot be confirmed until a meeting of the Executive takes place.
5. Amendments to Standing Orders
The Committee considered the first draft of Standing Orders for Joint Committees.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a number of changes will be made to the proposed amendment and a second draft will be considered at the Committee’s next meeting.
Members were reminded that they previously indicated that the Chairpersons Liaison Group should consider the draft Standing Orders before putting a motion to the Assembly. Members were advised that once the draft is signed off the Committee will table a motion for post Christmas recess.
6. Assembly Commission Annual Report
Members considered the insertion for the Committee on Procedures to be included in the Assembly Commission Annual Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the insertion for the Assembly Commission Annual Report.
7 Any Other Business
Members were asked to consider the current arrangements in place for the meetings of the Committee on Procedures.
Agreed: Members agreed that an item of business will be put on the agenda for the next Committee meeting to discuss the current arrangements in place for the day allocated for the meeting and the frequency of any future meetings.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 19th November 2008 at 2.00 pm in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.47 pm.