MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST MEETING OF
THE COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
ON WEDNESDAY, 26 JANUARY 2000.

Present: Gregory Campbell MLA (Chairperson)
Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Eileen Bell MLA
Dr. Esmond Birnie MLA
David Ervine MLA
Patricia Lewsley MLA
Alex Maskey MLA
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Eugene McMenamin MLA
Ken Robinson MLA
Jim Shannon MLA

In Attendance: Dr Andrew Peoples (Committee Clerk)
Mr Damien McVeigh (Committee Assistant)

Apologies: P J Bradley MLA
Fred Cobain MLA
Michelle Gildernew MLA
James Leslie MLA
Rt Hon John Taylor MP MLA

1. Chairperson's welcome and introduction

The Chairperson, Mr Gregory Campbell, welcomed the members to the Committee of the Centre's first meeting and expressed his wish to conduct matters in a brisk business like fashion whilst not inhibiting contributions. He introduced the Clerk of Committee and the Committee Assistant.

2. Declaration of interests

The Chairperson reminded members that they were required to declare any pecuniary interest or benefit as given in Standing Order 62. Following discussion it was agreed a summary of Committee of the Centre members' declaration of interests would be presented at the next meeting. Clerk of Committee to action.

3. Terms of Reference

The Chairperson summarised the two documents in the briefing papers;

Terms of Reference for the Committee of the Centre, extract from the Official Report (Hansard), and

Summary document showing the functions of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), that fall within and outside the examination and reporting of the Committee of the Centre.

Discussion ensued, and it was agreed that the Committee needed further clarification to the boundaries within each area of their remit and a fuller understanding of the principles underlying the split of the functions within and outside their examination and reporting role. The Committee also agreed this clarification process should not prejudice the future direction and decisions of the Committee.

Mr Maskey referred to the Chairperson's wish to conduct matters in a business like fashion and asked if the Chairperson would confirm that he was intending to treat all members equally. The Chairperson stated that he did not intend to preclude anyone.

Both Mr McLaughlin and Mr Maskey put this issue again to the Chairperson and the Chairperson repeated his previous reply.

Mr Ervine expressed the view that members were not being treated equally and this was now holding important business back. Following further interchanges Mr McLaughlin proposed an adjournment to allow Sinn Fein members to meet with the Chairperson. Mr Maskey seconded the proposal. This was carried by a majority of members.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.46pm

Gregory Campbell MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre

Menu / 02 February 2000