1. Minutes Of Previous Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Work Programme
4. Any Other Business
5. Date, Time And Venue Of Next Meeting

Present: Mr C Murphy (Chairman)
Mr I Davis
Mr A Maginness
Mr P McNamee
Mr D Shipley-Dalton

Clerk to the Committee: Mr C McGarrity

In attendance: Mr J Crozier
Mr J Gillespie

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting of 28 March 2001 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Private Members' Bills

The Chairman outlined his discussions with the Speaker on 8 May. It was agreed to invite the Speaker to address the Committee to explain his views on a number of issues.

ACTION: CLERK

2.2 Plenary Timings

The Chairman informed the Committee that Plenary Timings had been discussed by the Business Committee and it would be writing to the Committee asking that Question Time be moved to 12.00 midday, as the first item of plenary business.

3. WORK PROGRAMME

3.1 Legislative Review

The Chairman circulated a draft of the Legislative Review for members' information. Members considered the viability of holding regular meetings in the period before the forthcoming elections in view of their anticipated limited availability during this period. Two options were discussed: (i) the formation of a sub-committee to deal specifically with the Review, or (ii) an extension to the timetable. The Committee agreed that the completion date should be put back until after Summer Recess.

3.2 Video-conferencing

The Committee agreed to amend Standing Order 47(7) to allow quorum for committees to be facilitated through video-conferencing. A response to the Assembly Commission advising same was agreed.

ACTION: CLERK

3.3 Functions of the Audit Committee

The Committee reviewed the options paper presented. It was agreed to amend Standing Order 58 to specifically delegate authority to the Audit Committee to

(i) make recommendation to the Assembly of a nomination for the appointment to the office of Comptroller and Auditor General; and

(ii) make recommendation to the Assembly of the award of an annual increase in salary for the Comptroller and Auditor General.

It was also agreed that Standing Order 58 be redrafted to make its presentation consistent with other Standing Orders which created Committees. The proposed wording for the revised Standing Order would be sent to the Audit Committee for consideration.

ACTION: CLERK

4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

4.1 Presentation on the Social Economy

The invitation to the event was noted.

4.2 Standing Order 52 - Sub Committees

In the light of forthcoming elections and the likely difficulty in obtaining quorum for committee meetings, members raised the general issue of the creation of sub-committees. The view was expressed that Standing Order 52 limited the flexibility of committees. It was agreed that the proposal to remove the requirement for Business Committee and Assembly approval should be considered further. It was agreed that as part of the analysis of this issue the views of the Chairpersons Liaison Group should be sought.

ACTION: CLERK

5. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed the next meeting of the Committee on Procedures would be at the call of the Chair.

The meeting adjourned at 3.35 pm.