MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
IN THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
ON WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 2000.

1.Apologies
2. Chairperson's Business
3. Minutes of Proceedings, Wednesday 9th February 2000
4. Matters Arising from minutes, Wednesday 9th February 2000

Present: Mr Gregory Campbell MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr P J Bradley MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

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

Apologies: Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Rt Hon John Taylor MP MLA

Meeting Commenced: 2.35pm; Session: Closed.

1. Apologies

Apologies listed above.

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2. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson briefed members on the meetings with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on 11 February 2000 and senior officials from Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on 7 June 2000.

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3. Minutes of proceedings, Wednesday 9 February 2000

The minutes of proceedings for Wednesday, 9 February 2000 were agreed.

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4. Matters arising from minutes, Wednesday 9 February 2000

The Chairperson asked members to advise the Clerk of any changes to their registered interests.

Debate focused on the correspondence with the Committee on Standards and Privileges. Mr Ervine proposed that the Committee should adjourn until a resolution is received from the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Mr McMenamin seconded this proposal. Mr Maskey proposed an amendment to ask the chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges and the Speaker to deal with this matter as soon as possible. Mr Shannon stated that he did not agree with this proposal. During the ensuing debate and in response to Mr Ervine the Chairperson stated that he would not be directed by anyone on issues outside the remit of the committee.

3.29pm Mrs Bell left the meeting.

3.34pm Mrs Bell rejoined the meeting.

Dr Birnie proposed that the Committee should adjourn until such time that a definitive judgement is received from the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Mrs Bell seconded this proposal. It was agreed to withdraw the previous motion. The question was put and the motion was carried as detailed below.

Ayes: 10

Noes: 2

Ayes

Mrs Eileen Bell, Dr Esmond Birnie, Mr P J Bradley, Mr David Ervine, Ms Michelle Gildernew, Ms Patricia Lewsley, Mr Alex Maskey, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, Mr Eugene McMenamin, Mr Ken Robinson.

Noes

Mr Oliver Gibson, Mr Jim Shannon.

The Chairperson concluded the meeting at 3.38pm.

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Mr Gregory Campbell MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre

09 February 2000 / Menu / 21 June 2000