1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Election of First and Deputy First Minister
5. Review of Questions
6. Committee Systems and Procedures
7. Committee of the Centre
8. Correspondence
9. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

In attendance:
Mr J Crozier
Mr J Gillespie

The meeting commenced at 3.02 pm in public session.

1. APOLOGIES

Mr I Davis.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 10 April 2002 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.

3. MATTERS ARISING

Legislative Review - amendments to Standing Orders

Members noted that the amendments to Standing Orders on the legislative Review had been agreed by the Assembly on 23 April. Members also noted that a number of grammatical changes would be made to Standing Orders.

Voting arrangements - Women's Coalition proposal

Members noted the response that issued.

Timing of Committee meetings

It was agreed that the starting time be changed to 1:00 pm.

4. ELECTION OF FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

With the agreement of Members, the Clerk spoke to the briefing paper. It was explained that this issue had been referred to the Committee by the Speaker who suggested that the procedures should be included in Standing Orders. There were a number of important issues for the Committee to determine if it decided to introduce such a Standing Order these included:

• the time within which elections must be held, following the first meeting of the new Assembly;
• recall of the Assembly to fill a vacancy if it occurred during recess;
• the order in which nominations should be taken;
• at what stage should the vote take place;
• whether or not nominees should be present;
• whether a procedure for resignation should be incorporated into any new Standing Order.

Members discussed the issues raised and agreed that a decision on these should be deferred until the next meeting to give members a chance to consult with their parties.

5. REVIEW OF QUESTIONS

Members considered the draft questionnaire, which was to be issued to Members (excluding Ministers). Members agreed that the views of Ministers should be sought as part of a separate exercise, after the Committee had identified proposals for change.

The Committee agreed that the questionnaire be issued as presented.

ACTION: Clerk

6. COMMITTEE SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES

Members considered the briefing paper, which detailed the proposed terms of reference of the Review. The Clerk outlined the constraints on the terms of reference and those issues which it was proposed would not come within the scope of this review but which would require consideration at future date. Members agreed that the issues identified were important but the tight timescale within which the Review had to be completed dictated that it would not be practicable to include them as part of the Review.

Members agreed with the proposals detailed in the Briefing paper.

Members noted the proposed research programme for the Review. Members agreed to, proceed with the desk top research. ACTION: Clerk

Members also discussed the related issue of committee quorum and the Chairperson's Liaison Group's proposal that the committee quorum be lowered to 4. Members agreed that the quorum should not be reduced at this time but that it should be incorporated as part of the Committee Review. It was agreed however to reconsider the issue of allowing committees to continue inquorate so long as no decisions were being taken. The Clerk was instructed to prepare a briefing paper for consideration at the next meeting.

ACTION: Clerk

7. COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE

Members considered the briefing paper setting out the issues surrounding the request from the Committee of the Centre to extend its remit to look at the Water Appeals Commission and the Planning Appeals Commission.

The Committee agreed to defer further discussion to its next meeting and to ascertain party views in the interim.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

Members noted the invitation from the Committee of the Centre to the Europe Day reception on Thursday 9 May.

9. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 8 May in Room 152 Parliament Buildings at 1:00 pm.

The meeting adjourned at 3:35 pm.

C MURPHY
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures