The Committee discussed the options proposed and agreed that Option 2 Allocate a – specific time for ministerial statements in the morning and the afternoon be adopted. – This give allow non-executive Members sufficient time prior to the commencement of the sitting day to consider the statement and formulate a response. It would also provide certainty for the general public as to when a statement in which they are interested would be made. It is envisaged that a Minister will not require leave to make a statement (provided it has been circulated 2 hours before) and that, at the conclusion of making the statement, the Minister will table the statement and move that the Assembly take note of the paper. This will allow other Members to debate the content of the statement in accordance with standing order 69(i). Recommendation 2 The Committee recommends that Option 2 Allocate a specific time for ministerial – statements in the morning and the afternoon (as currently exists) be adopted. – Recommendation 3 The Committee recommends that the following amendments be made to standing orders: Omit and substitute The Assembly shall proceed each day with its ordinary business in the following routine: “74. Prayer or reflection Presentation of petitions Ministerial statements Notices and orders of the day Questions without notice Presentation of papers Ministerial statements Matter of public importance Notices and orders of the day: provided that at 2.30 pm on each day the Speaker shall interrupt the business before the Assembly in order that questions without notice shall be called on (a) if a vote is in progress at the time fixed for interruption, that vote, and any vote consequent upon that vote, shall be completed and the result announced; and
The Committee discussed the options proposed and agreed that Option 2 – Allocate a specific time for ministerial statements in the morning and the afternoon – be adopted. This give allow non-executive Members sufficient time prior to the commencement of the sitting day to consider the statement and formulate a response. It would also provide certainty for the general public as to when a statement in which they are interested would be made. It is envisaged that a Minister will not require leave to make a statement (provided it has been circulated 2 hours before) and that, at the conclusion of making the statement, the Minister will table the statement and move that the Assembly take note of the paper. This will allow other Members to debate the content of the statement in accordance with standing order 69(i). Recommendation 2 The Committee recommends that Option 2 – Allocate a specific time for ministerial statements in the morning and the afternoon (as currently exists) – be adopted. Recommendation 3 The Committee recommends that the following amendments be made to standing orders: Omit and substitute “74. The Assembly shall proceed each day with its ordinary business in the following routine: Prayer or reflection Presentation of petitions Ministerial statements Notices and orders of the day Questions without notice Presentation of papers Ministerial statements Matter of public importance Notices and orders of the day: provided that at 2.30 pm on each day the Speaker shall interrupt the business before the Assembly in order that questions without notice shall be called on (a) if a vote is in progress at the time fixed for interruption, that vote, and any vote consequent upon that vote, shall be completed and the result announced; and
Report-5-Ministerial-Statements.docx