COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY 2001 AT 3.00 PM
IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Minutes
Matters Arising
Work Programme
Any Other Business
Date and Time of Next Meeting

Present: Mr C Murphy (Chairman)
Mr A Attwood
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr A Maginness (Arrived 15.17)
Mr D McClarty
Mr P McNamee

Clerk to the Committee:Mr J Reynolds

In attendance:Mr J Crozier
Mr J Gillespie

The meeting commenced at 15.07.

The Committee agreed to send a letter of condolence to the family of Mr Tom Benson MLA.

1. The minutes of the meeting of 29 November 2000 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

2. Visit to the Dáil. The Chairman outlined the proposed programme and the Committee agreed it would take place over a two-day period on the 21-22 February 2001. Members were asked to confirm attendance and travel arrangements with the Clerk.

3. Scrutiny of Legislation from the OFM/DFM. The Chairman reported that Members could expect a collective reply from the Executive by the beginning of February 2001.

The Chairman had circulated a list of proposed interested parties from which the Committee agreed to invite submissions on the review of the legislative review. Members were invited to add to the list by informing the Clerk. It was agreed not to place advertisements in the local papers.

4. Procedure for formal expressions of condolence. The Committee deliberated on the paper presented by the Speaker and asked for the paper to be placed on the Agenda again for the next meeting.

5. Private Members' Bills. The Chairman informed the Committee that a draft paper outlining the procedures in use in other places was currently being prepared. The matter was deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

6. Appointments to the Assembly Commission. The Committee agreed the content of the draft Standing Order and instructed the Clerk to submit the proposed draft Standing Order to the Business Committee for inclusion on the No-Named Day list.

7. Legislation from the office of the OFM/DFM. The Chairman informed the Committee of the letter received from the Principal Committee Clerk which conveyed the agreement of the Committee of the Centre to the proposed draft Standing Order.

8. Plenary - Timings. The Chairman raised the issue of re-scheduling the commencement of business on a Monday to facilitate Party business in the morning. The Committee tasked the Clerk to prepare a paper outlining some of the options to progress this issue.

9. It was agreed the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 31 January 2001 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings at 3.00 pm.

The meeting closed at 15.40.

C MURPHY
Chairman