The Committee on Procedures has been authorised by the Assembly to review
and publish annually Standing Orders. As part of the annual revision re-numbering
occurs to each published version to accommodate all amendments. Consequently,
some amendments recorded in this database may not appear to equate to current
numbering but will, however refer to a specific Standing Order.
* These orders were replaced by Standing Order 59 Committee of the Centre.
|
Standing Order
|
Date
|
AMENDMENT
|
|
Introduction
|
4 July 2000
|
That the Committee on Procedures be authorised to update Standing
Orders of the Assembly for punctuation and grammar and annually to republish
Standing Orders.
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Procedure at the First Meeting of the New Assembly
|
2 November 2001
|
In Standing Order 3(8), line 2, delete all after 'during'
and insert:
'an Assembly session. Any such change takes effect immediately
after notification in writing is submitted to the Speaker.'
[Ms J Morrice]
[Ms M McWilliams]
top |
|
Sittings and Adjournments of the Assembly
|
6 December 1999
4 July 2000
4 July 2000
4 July 2000
4 July 2000
4 July 2000
23 April 2001
23 April 2001
3 July 2001
|
In Standing Order 10, paragraph (1) insert "(g) Party Business".
[Mr F Cobain]
[Mr D Haughey]
In Standing Order 10(2)(b) delete all and insert "at the end
of each sitting one hour shall be set aside for an Adjournment Debate".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 10(2)(c) delete "on each Tuesday on which there is a sitting".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
That in Standing Order 10:
add, and in Standing Order 10(9)(b) delete
"or in the case of a Tuesday after 3 o'clock."
[Mr M Morrow]
In Standing Order 10(6) delete "on Monday sittings and at
3.00 pm on Tuesday sittings" and insert "on each day on which there is a sitting".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
After Standing Order 10(11) add:
"(12) A Session of the Assembly shall be that period from
the commencement of business following the Summer Recess until the end of the
subsequent Summer Recess".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 10(2)(c) line 2 after "shall" insert "normally".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
That Standing Order 10(2) line 3 be suspended until the Summer
Recess.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 10(2) line 3 delete '10.30 am', and insert
'12.00 midday'.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Public Business
|
29 January 2001
|
In Standing Order 12(1) after "Statutory Committee Reports"
insert:
"Reports of the Committee of the Centre made by virtue of Standing Order 31(1A)
or 41(1A)".
top |
|
Amendments
|
23 April 2001
|
In Standing Order 15(1) line 2 and line 3 delete "at least
one hour prior to the commencement of business" and insert "not later than 9.30
am".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Private Notice Questions
|
4 July 2000
3 April 2001
|
In Standing Order 20(1) delete "on Tuesdays".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 20(1) line 7 after "concerned," insert "normally".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Voting - General
|
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
|
In Standing Order 25(1)(a) line 2 delete "or Standing
Order 72 provides" and insert "or Standing Orders provide".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 25(1) line 12 and line 13 delete "Such
decisions shall require cross-community support" and insert:
"Such decisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) shall require
cross-community support within the meaning of Section 4(5) of the Northern Ireland
Act 1998".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top
|
|
Stages in Consideration of Public Bills
|
4 July 2000
23 April 2002
|
After Standing Order 29(c) insert:
"(d) Further Consideration Stage: consideration of, and an
opportunity for Members to vote on the details of the Bill including amendments
to the Bill."
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 29(d) delete all and insert:
"(d) Further Consideration Stage: an opportunity for Members to consider
and vote on amendments proposed to the Bill."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Public Bills Committee Stage
|
4 July 2000
29 January 2001
29 January 2001
4 February 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
|
In Standing Order 31(2) after "three" insert "working".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
After Standing Order 31(1) add:
"(1A) Where the First Minister and Deputy First Minister acting
jointly are in charge of a Bill, the Bill shall stand referred to the Committee
of the Centre unless the Assembly shall order otherwise; and the provisions
of this Standing Order and Standing Orders 33 and 48 shall apply in relation
to the Committee of the Centre acting by virtue of this paragraph as they apply
in relation to a Statutory Committee".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 31(1) at the beginning of paragraph (1)
insert:
"Subject to paragraph (1A),".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 31(2) line 4, delete all after 'otherwise' and insert:
'and the provisions of this Standing Order and of Standing Order 33 shall
apply in relation to the Committee of the Centre acting by virtue of this paragraph
as they apply in relation to a Statutory Committee.'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 31(3) line 3 delete "calendar days"
and insert "working days".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 31(5) line 1 delete "of thirty
days".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
| Public
Bills: Equality Issues |
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
23 April 2002
|
In Standing Order 33(5) line 8 after "thirty" insert "working".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33(7) line 7 after "thirty" insert "working".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33(14) line 1 and line 3 delete "Further".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33(15) line 1 delete "Further".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33(16) line 2 delete "Further".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33(16) line 3 delete "Final Stage" and insert "Further Consideration
Stage".
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 33 after paragraph (16) insert:
"(17) If such a motion is agreed to after the Further Consideration Stage
of the Bill has begun but before that stage has been completed, the Further
Consideration Stage shall be adjourned until an Ad Hoc Committee on Conformity
with Equality Requirements reports to the Assembly.
(18) On resuming an adjourned Further Consideration Stage, the Assembly may,
instead of considering the remaining amendments in the order in which the relevant
clauses or schedules stand in the Bill, on a motion moved by the Member in charge
of the Bill decide to consider them in a different order, and to consider again
and amend, provisions of the Bill which have already been agreed, and to consider
new clauses and schedules even if the time for considering them has passed.
(19) If such a motion is agreed to after the end of the Further Consideration
Stage of a Bill, no date shall be determined for the Final Stage of the Bill
until an Ad Hoc Committee on Conformity with Equality Requirements reports to
the Assembly."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top
|
|
Public Bills Further Consideration Stage
|
4 July 2000
23 April 2002
|
That after Standing Order 34 a new Standing Order be inserted:
"34(A) PUBLIC BILLS: FURTHER CONSIDERATION STAGE
(1) When a Bill has passed Consideration Stage and stands
referred to the Speaker, the terms of Standing Order 34 shall be applied to
the Further Consideration Stage as they would to a Consideration Stage as described
in Standing Order 34.
(2) Members may speak more than once in debate during the
Further Consideration Stage.
(3) At the completion of the Further Consideration Stage the
Bill shall stand referred to the Speaker."
As a consequence, amend Standing Orders 33(14), (15) and (16)
and 36(1): in each case before "Consideration" insert "Further".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 35 delete all and insert:
"35. PUBLIC BILLS: FURTHER CONSIDERATION STAGE
(1) Any amendments proposed to be made to a Bill at Further
Consideration Stage shall be deposited with the Clerk in time for inclusion
on a Notice Paper circulated on a day before the day appointed for the Further
Consideration Stage, and shall be arranged in the order in which the Bill is
to be considered; provided, however, that at the discretion of the Speaker,
amendments may be moved in very exceptional circumstances without such notice.
(2) During proceedings at Further Consideration Stage,
debate and vote shall be confined to those amendments which have been selected.
The amendments shall be considered in the order in which the relevant clauses
or schedules stand in the Bill.
(3) Any amendments selected which relate to the long title
shall be considered after those relating to the clauses and schedules of the
Bill.
(4) Members may speak more than once in debate during
the Further Consideration Stage.
(5) At the conclusion of the debate on the Further Consideration
Stage the Bill shall stand referred to the Speaker."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Public Bills Special Scheduling Requirements
|
4 July 2000
29 January 2001
12 February 2001
12 February 2001
12 February 2001
April 23 2002
April 23 2002
|
In Standing Order 39(1) delete "seven" and insert "five working"
and delete "(excluding Saturdays and Sundays)"
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 40(4) delete "may by leave of the Assembly"
and insert "shall", and;
after Standing Order 40(4) add: "(5) A Bill shall not be carried forth if the
Assembly stands dissolved".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
After Standing Order 40(1) add
'(1A) Where on or before the Second Stage of a Budget Bill
the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel (or another member
of that Committee acting on his/her behalf) confirms to the Assembly that that
Committee is satisfied that there has been appropriate consultation with it
on the public expenditure proposals contained in the Bill, the Bill shall proceed
under the accelerated passage procedure which shall exclude any Committee Stage.'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
"In Standing Order 40(1) delete 'that may require an accelerated passage'
and insert:
'proceeding under the accelerated passage procedure in accordance
with paragraph (1A) or (2)'.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
"In Standing Order 40(2) line 1 after 'Bill' insert:
'(other than a Budget Bill)'.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 40(1) delete all and insert:
"(1) There shall be a minimum interval of five working
days between each stage of a Bill, save in the following cases:
(a) between Second Stage and Committee Stage; and
(b) where a Bill is subject to the accelerated passage
procedure in accordance with paragraph (2) or (4)."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 40(3) delete all and insert:
"(3) Where, exceptionally, a Bill (other than a Budget
Bill) is thought to require accelerated passage, which shall exclude any Committee
Stage, the Member in charge of the Bill shall, before introduction of the Bill
in the Assembly, explain to the appropriate Committee:
(a) the reason or reasons for accelerated passage;
(b) the consequences of accelerated passage not being
granted; and, if appropriate,
(c) any steps he/she has taken to minimise the future
use of the accelerated passage procedure.
(4) Before Second Stage the Member in charge of the Bill
shall move a motion "That the .. Bill proceed under the accelerated passage
procedure".
In moving the motion the Member shall explain to the Assembly:
(a) the reason or reasons for accelerated passage;
(b) the consequences of accelerated passage not being
granted; and, if appropriate,
(c) any steps he/she has taken to minimise the future
use of the accelerated passage procedure.
A motion under this Standing Order shall require cross-community
support within the meaning of Section 4(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998."
[Chairperson,
Committee on Procedures]
top
|
|
Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland
|
29 January 2001
29 January 2001
29 January 2001
29 January 2001
|
In Standing Order 41(1) line 6 delete "Statutory".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
After Standing Order 41(1) add:
"(1A) In this Standing Order "Committee" means:
(a) a Statutory Committee; and
(b) in the case of a Statutory Rule or draft Statutory Rule
which has been made or is to be made by the First Minister and Deputy First
Minister acting jointly, or by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First
Minister, the Committee of the Centre".
In Standing Order 41(2) delete "Statutory".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 41(5)(a) delete "Statutory".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Establishment of Statutory Committees
|
6 December 1999
|
In Standing Order 45 paragraph (1)(a), after Portfolio, insert
- "and".
- Delete sub-paragraph 45(1)(c) and insert:
"(2) Statutory Committees shall have the powers described
in paragraph 9 of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement (CM 3883) and may, in
particular, exercise the power in Section 44(1) of the Northern Ireland Act
1998."
[Mr F Cobain]
[Mr D Haughey]
top |
|
Membership of Statutory Committees
|
4 July 2000
19 June 2001
|
In Standing Order 46(9) delete "a majority of the Members
present and voting" and insert "simple majority. Voting"
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 47(7) after 'five' insert:
'and such quorum shall be deemed to be present where Members
are linked by a video conferencing facility.'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Overlap of Committee Business
|
4 February 2002
|
In Standing Order 48, delete 'Statutory' from the title and in line 3, delete
'Statutory';
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Sub Committees
|
9 October 2001
|
In Standing Order 52, delete all and insert:
"52. SUB COMMITTEES
(1) Each Committee ("the parent Committee"), in the discharge
of its functions, may establish sub-Committees.
(2) Unless with the approval of the Business Committee and
the Assembly, a parent Committee shall establish no more than one sub-Committee
to operate at any one time.
(3) A sub-Committee shall be appointed to consider specific,
time-bounded matters within the terms of reference set by the parent Committee
and shall:
(a) report only to that Committee; and
(b) stand dissolved on disposal of those matters.
(4) A sub-Committee shall not take any decision on behalf
of the parent Committee.
(5) A parent Committee may appoint a member to be the Convenor
of a sub-Committee.
(6) Each sub-Committee shall, in as far as is practicable,
reflect the party strengths in the Assembly.
(7) The quorum of a sub-Committee shall be determined by the
parent Committee.
(8) The proceedings of a sub-Committee shall be such as the
parent Committee shall determine."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Business Committee
|
14 December 1999
14 December 1999
4 July 2000
|
After Standing Order 53(4) insert a new Standing Order:
(5) The Business Committee shall consist of thirteen Members.
(6) Each party delegation shall be entitled to cast the number
of votes equivalent to the number of Members who adhere to the Whip of that
party.
[Mr A Maskey]
To amend Standing Order 54 in the first line, delete 'Standing'
and insert 'Ad Hoc'.
[Mr J Wilson]
After Standing Order 53(6) add:
"(7) The Business Committee shall determine the dates of Recess."
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
top |
|
Standards and Privilege
|
4 July 2001
8 April 2002
|
Committee on Standards and Privileges
In Standing Order 57 delete all and insert:
"57. COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
(1) There shall be a Standing Committee of the Assembly called
the Committee on Standards and Privileges:
(a) to consider specific matters relating to privilege referred
to it by the Assembly;
(b) to oversee the work of the Assembly Clerk of Standards;
to examine the arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility
of the Register of Members' Interests and any other registers of interests established
by the Assembly; and to review from time to time the form and content of those
registers;
(c) to consider any matter relating to the conduct of Members
including specific complaints in relation to alleged breaches of any code of
conduct to which the Assembly has agreed and which have been drawn to the Committee's
attention;
(d) to recommend any modifications to the code of conduct
mentioned in paragraph (c);
(e) to perform the functions described in Standing Order 64(6) and (7);
(f) to make a report to the Assembly on any matter falling within this Standing
Order.
(2) The Committee shall be appointed at the commencement of
every Assembly and shall have power to send for persons, papers and records
that are relevant to its enquiries.
(3) There shall be an officer of the Assembly, to be known
as the Assembly Commissioner for Standards, who shall carry out an investigation
into any matter falling within paragraph (4) referred to him by the Assembly
Clerk of Standards and shall make a report thereon to the Committee on Standards
and Privileges.
(4) Those matters are:
(a) matters relating to Members and Assembly privilege, including
alleged breach of privilege;
(b) specific complaints about Members made in relation to
the registering or declaring of interests; and
(c) matters relating to the conduct of Members, including
specific complaints in relation to alleged contravention of:
(i) the Code of Conduct for Members of the Assembly; or
(ii) the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members,
approved by the Assembly on 14 December 1999.
(5) A report made under paragraph (3) may not include any
recommendations for any sanction or penalty to be imposed upon any Member of
the Assembly.
(6) The Assembly Commissioner for Standards shall not, in
the exercise of any of his functions, be subject to the direction or control
of the Assembly.
(7) The Assembly Commissioner for Standards shall not be dismissed
unless:
(a) the Assembly so resolves; and
(b) the resolution is passed with the support of a number
of Members of the Assembly which equals or exceeds two-thirds of the total number
of seats in the Assembly."
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
(i) In Standing Order 52(4)(c) delete all at sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii)
and insert:
(i) any Code of Conduct to which the Assembly has agreed;
or
(ii) any Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of
Members approved by the Assembly'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top
|
|
Standing Committee on European Affairs
|
6 December 1999
|
After Standing Order 57 insert a new Standing Order:
Standing Committee on European Affairs
1. There shall be a Standing Committee of the Assembly to be known as the Standing
Committee on European Affairs.
2. It shall consider and review on an ongoing basis:
(a) matters referred to it in relation to European Union issues; and
(b) any other related matter or matters determined by the Assembly.
3. The Committee shall have powers to call for persons and papers.
4. The procedures of the Committee shall be such, as the Committee shall determine.
[Mr Fred Cobain]
[Mr Denis Haughey]
top
|
|
Committee for Equality, Human Rights and Community
Relations
|
6 December 1999
|
After Standing Order 57 insert a new Standing Order:
Committee on Equality, Human Rights and Community Relations
1.There shall be a Standing Committee of the Assembly to be known as the Equality,
Human Rights and Community Relations Committee.
2. It shall consider and review on an ongoing basis:
(a) matters referred to it in relation to Equality, Human Rights and Community
Relations; and
(b) any other related matter or matters determined by the Assembly.
3. The Committee shall have powers to call for persons and papers.
4. The procedures of the Committee shall be such, as the Committee shall determine.
[Mr Fred Cobain]
[Mr Denis Haughey]
top |
|
Committee of the Centre
|
14 December 1999
3 July 2001
|
At line 3, delete from "Committee of the" to end of line 8
and insert -
"Centre to examine and report on the following functions carried
out in the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, and on
any other related matters determined by the Assembly:
(a) Economic Policy Unit (other than the Programme of Government);
(b) Equality Unit;
(c) Civic Forum;
(d) European Affairs and International Matters;
(e) Community Relations;
(f) Public Appointments Policy;
(g) Freedom of Information;
(h) Victims;
(i) Nolan Standards;
(j) Public Service Office;
(k) Emergency Planning; and
(l) Women's Issues.
(2) This Committee shall replace the Standing Committees on
European Affairs and Equality, Human Rights and Community Relations. Standing
Orders "Standing Committee on European Affairs" and "Committee on Equality,
Human Rights and Community Relations" are, accordingly, revoked.
(3) The Committee shall consist of 17 Members."
[Rt Hon David Trimble MP]
[Mr Séamus Mallon MP]
After Standing Order 59(1) add:
"(1A) This Committee shall also have the functions conferred
by virtue of Standing Orders 31(1A) and 41(1A)".
top |
|
Members Interests
|
3 July 2001
8 April 2002
|
Register of Members' Interests
Proposed: In Standing Order 64 delete all and insert:
"(1) A Register of Members' Interests, which shall list the
categories of registrable interest, shall be established, published and made
available for public inspection.
(2) The Clerk of Standards shall compile, and from time to
time publish, the Register of Members' Interests.
(3) Every Member of the Assembly shall inform the Clerk of
Standards of such particulars of his/her registrable interests as shall be required,
and of any alterations to such interests within four weeks of each change occurring.
(4) Before taking part in any debate or proceeding of the
Assembly or its Committees, a Member shall declare any interest, financial or
otherwise, which is relevant to that debate or proceeding, where such interest
is held by the Member or an immediate relative.
(5) No Member of the Assembly shall, in any proceeding of
the Assembly, in return for payment or benefit mentioned in paragraph 61 of
the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members, approved by the Assembly
on 14 December 1999 ["the Guide"]:
(a) advocate or initiate any cause or matter on behalf of
any outside body or individual;
(b) urge any other Member of the Assembly to do so.
(6) Where it appears to the Committee on Standards and Privileges
that a Member has failed to comply with, or has contravened any provision of
this Order, the Committee may make a report to the Assembly.
(7) A report made under paragraph (6) may contain a recommendation
that the Member:
(a) be excluded from proceedings of the Assembly for a specified
period; and
(b) have his/her rights and privileges as a Member withdrawn
for that period.
(8) In this Standing Order:-
"Financial interest" means any registrable interest other
than one falling within paragraph 26 or 27 of the Guide;
"Registrable interest" means any category of registrable interest
falling within paragraphs 14 to 37 of the Guide.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 64(5) line 5 delete '14
December 1999' and insert '15 October 2001.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 64(6) lines 2 and 3 delete:
has failed to comply with, or has contravened any provision
of this Order, and insert:
has failed to comply with any provision of this Order
or any Code of Conduct agreed by the Assembly,'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
In Standing Order 64(7) line 1 delete 'contain' and insert
'include'.
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top
|
|
Suspension of Standing Orders
|
19 June 2001
|
In Standing Order 72 delete all and insert:
'Subject to the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998,
a Member may move a motion for the suspension of one or more Standing Orders
in whole or in part. A motion under this Standing Order shall require cross-community
support within the meaning of Section 4(5) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.'
[Chairperson, Committee on Procedures]
top |
| Apointments to the Assembly Commission |
5 March |
74. APPOINTMENTS TO THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION
(1) The Assembly shall by resolution appoint the prescribed number of Members
of the Assembly to be members of the Commission.
(2) Appointments under paragraph (1) shall be made within 28 days after the
first sitting of the Assembly after dissolution.
(3) Any resolution under this Standing Order shall require cross-community support.
(4) In the event of a vacancy occurring, the Speaker shall, as soon as may be
possible, inform the Assembly of the vacancy. Any vacancy shall be filled by
resolution of the Assembly within 28 sitting days of the vacancy occurring.
(5) A person shall not be eligible for appointment as a member of the Commission
if he/she holds a relevant office.
(6) Where a Member of the Assembly is appointed to a relevant office he/she
shall forthwith cease to be a member of the Commission.
(7) A Commissioner may at any time resign by giving notice in writing to the
Speaker.
(8) In this Standing Order a relevant office means a Minister, a junior Minister
or a Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of:
(a) a Statutory Committee;
(b) the Public Accounts Committee;
(c) the Audit Committee."
top
|
|
Interpretation
|
4 July 2000
|
That the Committee on Procedures be authorised to update Standing
Orders of the Assembly for punctuation and grammar and annually to republish
Standing Orders.
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
That Interpretation be amended:
Delete line 4 and insert "Sitting Days are all days
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays and Recess".
[Chairperson of Committee on Procedures]
top |
