At last week’s meeting, Business Managers
agreed to recommend that a new Standing Order 34 be created, to provide for
emergency procedures relating to the continuity of business during the current
situation. The Assembly agreed to the new Standing Order on Tuesday, and the
Business Committee made the following decisions in accordance with the new
provisions:
Voting in Plenary and Quorum:
Standing Orders 34.9 and 34.10 provide for
weighted voting in Plenary, and a reduced quorum of 4. Business Committee
agreed that any votes in Plenary should proceed on this basis until further
notice.
Business Committee agreed that where weighted
voting is used, the votes will be conducted by roll-call, for reasons of
practicality and transparency.
Accessibility of Plenary Meetings:
Business Committee agreed that, for virtual
meetings, the requirement to broadcast be relaxed in accordance with SO 34.16.
However, Business Managers agreed that a recording of the meeting should be
made available via the Assembly’s usual broadcast channels as soon as possible
after the meeting, and a record of proceedings published as usual.
Oral Assembly Questions:
In accordance with Standing Order 34.18,
Business Committee agreed that no Oral Assembly Questions should be scheduled
until further notice.
Consideration of SIs:
Business Committee agreed that Standing Orders 21.2 and 21.3 would be disapplied and that any
relevant functions would be undertaken by the Assembly until further notice.
Officials will provide a note on how this will work in practice
for the next meeting.