COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES TO LAUNCH INQUIRIES INTO ELECTRONIC VOTING AND COMMITTEE SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES

The Committee on Procedures met in Parliament Buildings today. Officials from OFMDFM provided a briefing on Ministerial Statements in the Assembly.

The Committee also agreed to conduct inquiries into Electronic Voting and Committee Systems and Structures, commencing in September 2007. (Terms of Reference included, for information)

Lord Morrow, Committee Chairperson said:

“The Committee are dedicated to ensuring the efficient running of business in the Assembly and look forward to looking at Electronic Voting and Committee Systems and Structures in more detail.”

Committee Membership:

Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley (Chairman)
Mr Mervyn Storey (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Francie Brolly
Lord Browne
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr David McClarty
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ken Robinson

Enquiries about the work of the Committee should be directed to the Clerk of the Committee, Ms Stella McArdle, Room 430, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX. Telephone 028 90521475 or to the Chairperson, Room 35, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX

For other information contact: Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX. Telephone 028 90521137/521396.

Inquiry into Electronic Voting

The Terms of Reference for this inquiry are

To consider the viability of introducing electronic voting into the Chamber including examining that it is physically and technologically possible to introduce electronic voting into the Assembly Chamber.
To conduct comparative research in other legislatures regarding the practice of electronic voting including the time it takes to conduct a vote.
To assess the advantages and disadvantages of electronic voting and manual voting and to look at what type of safeguard may need to be introduced.
To consider the timing of votes in the chamber and where voting can take place.
To consider whether electronic voting should replace all forms of manual votes or should only be used when a division is required.
To report to the Assembly making recommendations on the findings of the Committee on Procedures into electronic voting.

Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures

The Terms of Reference for this inquiry are

To examine the membership of committees with particular reference to the number of members sitting on committees and the number of members serving on multiple committees.
To assess the use of substitutes in committees.
To examine the arrangements for quorums in committees.
To consider the possibility of the use of rapporteurs in committees.
To give consideration to the days and times on which committees should meet, the frequency of meetings and facilities for meetings.
To consider the procedures for voting in committees.
To assess the possibility of introducing Standing Orders to allow for joint committees.
To report to the Assembly making recommendations on the findings of the Committee on Procedures into committee systems and structures.