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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES 1. Apologies Present: Mr C Murphy (Chairperson) Clerk to the Committee: Mr C McGarrity In attendance: Mr J Crozier The meeting commenced at 1.05 pm in public session. Mr McClarty. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 24 April 2002 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson. There were no matters arising that were not on the agenda. 4. ELECTION OF FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER Members considered the briefing paper which set out the background to the subject and the issues which would have to be considered when drafting any new Standing Order. Considerable discussion followed which centred on whether the procedure should be included in Standing Orders. Members were content that the provisions of section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 for the holding of elections were sufficient and that the procedure for the conduct of elections had been satisfactorily established by convention. It was agreed not to introduce a new Standing Order dealing with the election of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and that the Chairperson write to the Speaker informing him of the decision. ACTION: Clerk Members resumed their consideration of the request from the Committee of the Centre for an amendment to Standing Order 54 to extend its remit to scrutinise the functions carried out by the OFM/DFM in relation to the Water Appeals Commission and the Planning Appeals Commission. The functions had been transferred, under The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001, from 4 Departments and were administrative in nature. Discussion centred on how the amendment would make clear the specific role of the Committee of the Centre. The Committee noted the suggestion by the Director of Legal Services that the use of the word "administration" or "sponsorship" be considered to describe the Committee of the Centre's remit. However, the Committee agreed that the wording in the Standing Order should reflect that used in the Transfer Order. The Committee instructed the Clerk to liase with the Legal Adviser to determine the appropriate wording. ACTION: Clerk Members noted the comparison table provided by the Clerk which detailed the procedures used by other legislatures in relation to questions and question time. It was agreed that the Chairperson write to party whips asking them to encourage Members to complete and return the questionnaire which had been issued on 24 April. ACTION: Clerk Members resumed discussion of the option of allowing business in committee to continue even though the quorum is lost, so long as no decisions were taken. The Committee considered a paper setting out the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the practices followed in other places. It was agreed that this issue should be considered as part of the Review of Committee Systems and Procedures, as opposed to making changes to Standing Orders now. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Chairpersons' Liaison Group informing them of the decision. ACTION: Clerk The Committee considered the amendment to Standing Order 41 relating to subordinate legislation. This amendment effected the Committee's recommendations arising out of the Committees Review of the Legislative Process. The Committee agreed to table a motion to make the necessary amendment. ACTION: Clerk Assembly sittings The Chairperson advised that the Business Committee had agreed to its proposal that i. plenary business can proceed beyond 6.00 pm if business is running late;
and The Chairperson also advised that the Business Committee wanted further details on the Committee's proposal to allow urgent business to be taken in plenary. ACTION: Clerk 10. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 29 May in Room 152 Parliament Buildings at 1:00 pm. The meeting adjourned at 1:29 pm. C MURPHY |
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