PRESS RELEASE

28 November 2007

PROC 3/07

COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES ANNOUNCES INQUIRY INTO PRIVATE LEGISLATION

The Committee on Procedures today announced its intention to carry out an inquiry into Private Legislation.

As part of the inquiry the Committee will:

• Gather information on procedures for dealing with Private Legislation from other legislatures;
• To consider and evaluate opinions for the procedures for Private Legislation in the Northern Ireland Assembly;
• To consult with and make recommendations to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission on a costing structure for Private Legislation;
• To report to the Northern Ireland Assembly making recommendations on a new set of Standing Orders on Private Legislation and associated costing structure.

It is anticipated that once the Assembly agree the Committee Report and associated Standing Orders, that a set of guidance notes on Private Legislation are created to assist both the promoter of and objector to the Private Legislation.

The Committee wishes to invite any individual or organisation with an interest in this matter to submit written evidence. This should be addressed to the Clerk of the Committee at the address below and should arrive by 16 January 2008.

Individuals or organisations are requested to submit memoranda (guideline length up to 2000 words) in a Word file or by e-mail to: committee.procedures@niassembly.gov.uk with a single additional hard copy in the post.

Any enquiries/submissions should be addressed to:
The Committee Clerk
Room 430
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT4 3XX

Note to Editor:
Committee Membership:
Lord Morrow (DUP) (Chairperson); Mr Mervyn Storey (DUP) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Francie Brolly (SF); Lord Browne (DUP); Mr Willie Clarke (SF); Mr Raymond McCartney (SF); Mr David McClarty (UUP); Mr Adrian McQuillan (DUP); Mr Sean Neeson (ALL); Mr Declan O’Loan (SDLP); Mr Ken Robinson (UUP).

The Clerk to the Committee is:
Ms Stella McArdle
Room 430
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT4 3XX
Telephone Number 028 90 521465, Fax Number 028 90 521882
E-mail: committee.procedures@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to:
Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, BELFAST, BT4 3XX.
Telephone Number 028 90 521137/521396, Fax Number 028 90 521961
Website address: archive.niassembly.gov.uk
E-mail: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk