1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Work Programme
4. Any Other Business
5. Date and Time of Next Meeting

Present: Mr C Murphy (Chairman)
Mr A Attwood
Mr T Benson
Mr D Shipley-Dalton (arrived 15:18)
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr D McClarty
Mr A Maginness
Mr P McNamee

Clerk to the Committee: Mr J Reynolds

In attendance: Mr J Crozier
Mr J Gillespie

Apologies: Mr F Agnew

The meeting commenced at 3.05 pm.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

1. The minutes of the meeting of 5 July 2000 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

2. The Chairman welcomed the return of the Members, and briefly outlined the heavy workload facing the Committee. He confirmed Mr Morrow's resignation from the Committee. The Chairman reminded the Committee that any replacement had to be approved by resolution of the Assembly.

2.1 The Chairman had circulated the new edition of Standing Orders and reported that copies would be pigeon-holed to all MLA'S and placed in the public domain after this meeting.

3. Standing Order 40: The Chairman asked the Clerk to outline the options detailed in Proc/5/2000 which would ensure that Bills are carried over from one Assembly session to the next. The Committee agreed to refer the paper to their respective parties for further consideration.

3.1 Operational Advice Notes to Standing Orders: The Chairman circulated a draft copy of the booklet to Members and advised the Committee that further additions would be brought to their attention at each meeting. It was agreed that a draft would be circulated to each member of the Committee before the next meeting. When Members were satisfied with regard to content, presentation and style, it was proposed that the guidance would issue to all Members. The Committee agreed that work should be taken forward on the Guidance.

3.2 Legislation emanating from the OFM/DFM: The Chairman asked the Clerk to detail the problem and the legal ramifications facing the Committee. It was agreed the Clerk should seek written legal advice and the views of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and write to the Chair of the Committee for the Centre.

3.3 Finance and Parity Bills: The Chairman informed the Committee of the consideration currently being given by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Committee of Finance and Personnel to address the arrangements for handling Finance Bills. The Committee agreed to wait and consider any recommendations from this working group. A similar problem arose in respect of Bills aiming to maintain parity with GB legislation. In both cases there was the need to meet deadlines beyond the control of the Assembly and the limits on the range of amendments meant that such legislation can require different procedures from legislation appearing before the Assembly normally.

3.4 Visit to the Scottish Parliament: The Committee considered the itinerary proposed for a visit to the Scottish Parliament. It was suggested that the visit should be extended to provide an opportunity for a informal exchanges with Members of the Scottish Parliament. It was agreed the Clerk should liaise with his counterpart on these possibilities and bring a revised programme back to the next meeting of the Committee.

4. The Chairman proposed and it was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held in two weeks' time.

5. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 20 September 2000 at 3.00 pm Room 152, Parliament Buildings

The meeting closed at 3.45 pm.

C MURPHY
Chairman