COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow MLA (Chairperson)
Mervyn Storey MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Sean Neeson MLA
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Mairead Mageean (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Colin Jones (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr David McClarty MLA
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are stated above.
2. Draft Minutes of the Meeting on 2 February 2010
Agreed: for publication on the Assembly website.
3. Matters Arising
Members noted that, as the sole focus of this meeting was to consider the draft Standing Orders to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice powers, any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting on 2 February 2010 will be dealt with at the normal monthly meeting on Tuesday, 2 March 2010.
Mr Brady and Mr McCartney joined the meeting at 2.02 pm.
4. Standing Orders on Policing and Justice
Members noted that, at the last meeting on 2 February 2010, the Committee had considered draft Standing Orders on changes to Chairpersons and deputy Chairpersons of Committees, when policing and justice powers are devolved. At that meeting, the Committee had agreed that it was content with the current draft and that these should be developed further, having taken appropriate legal advice.
Members considered the Standing Orders that had been drafted to facilitate the devolution of policing and justice powers.
Members noted that, as there was a possibility that the Minister of Justice could be nominated earlier than 12 April 2010, Standing Orders needed to be in place to facilitate the nomination.
Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 2.08pm.
Mr Storey joined the meeting at 2.08 pm.
Agreed: that, in relation to the nomination of the Minister of Justice, the Committee was content with the draft Standing Order and the accompanying draft motion which will be tabled in the Business Office for plenary debate.
Agreed: that, in relation to the draft Standing Order on the membership of the Committee for Justice, the Committee was content that it will be amended to reflect the decision of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee(AERC), that the four sub groups of the Belfast District Policing Partnership should be added to the bodies to which members of the Committee for Justice cannot belong.
Members noted that a finalised Standing Order will be considered at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: that the Committee was content with the draft Standing Order on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
Members noted that a finalised Standing Order will be considered at next week’s meeting, but that this may need to be amended in due course, should the AERC review its position in relation to the production of a report on judicial appointments and removals.
Members noted that, at the last meeting, the Committee had agreed that, if there is a change in the number of committees, d’Hondt would be run for the Chairs and deputy Chairs of all committees. Members considered the effect of this decision for the Assembly’s statutory and standing committees.
Agreed: that d’Hondt should be run for the Chairperson and deputy Chairperson of all statutory committees if there is a change in the number of statutory committees and separately for all standing committees if there is a change in the number of standing committees.
Members noted that a finalised Standing Order will be considered at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: that any minor, technical or consequential amendments to Standing Orders arising from the amendments already agreed in relation to the devolution of policing and justice powers will be considered at the next meeting.
Members noted that the First Minister and deputy First Minister had indicated to the AERC that it was for the Assembly to decide on its relationship with the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. Members were informed that, although it was currently unclear how this would be handled, the Committee on Procedures will ultimately be responsible for producing the relevant Standing Orders.
Agreed: that this issue will be kept under review and that Standing Orders will be produced as soon as possible after the position is clarified.
5. Any Other Business
Members noted that an article on the work of the Committee on Procedures, with an accompanying photograph, will be published in the March 2010 edition of Agenda NI.
6. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2 March 2010 at 2.00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.20 pm.