Tynwald sitting times to change in future

Wednesday, 17 May 2023 13:56

Until now start times for the separate branches haven't been laid in Standing Orders

All three chambers of Tynwald will see their sitting times change in the future, following a debate in the Island's parliament this morning.

Members voted for sittings to begin at 10am, rather than 10:30am, and end by 6:30pm, as opposed to 8pm.

The starting and finishing times of Tynwald and Keys sitting days as they stand currently are set out in Tynwald Standing Order 1.2 and Keys Standing Order 1.2.

Tynwald sitting days currently begin at 10.30am and continue until 8pm whilst Keys sitting days begin at 10am and end at 5.30pm.

Sittings of the Legislative Council by convention begin at 10.30am and end at 5.30pm, but these times are not laid down in Standing Orders.

The move to change these starting times was one of a number of recommendations presented to members as part of a report from the Tynwald Standing Orders Committee.

A number of recommendations passed, including:

The requirement to submit Tynwald business six weeks in advance should be reduced to four weeks.
A system of starred questions should be adopted in all three Chambers.
Amendments which apply to the sub judice principle to the work of Tynwald Committees and laid papers, be made.
That permanent scrutiny committees to make annual reports and end-of-term reports, be made.
The requirement for a petitioner to identify a personal grievance to be removed.

Recommendations which suggested moving Tynwald and branch sittings to align with half term breaks, and would alter the sitting dates of the House of Keys were quashed.

Tynwald sitting times to change in future

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