Present:Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

In Attendance:Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts

Apologies:Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA

The meeting opened at 3.35pm in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's welcome

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and in particular His Excellency, Mr Lode Willems, the Belgian Ambassador, and Mr Geoff Martin, the EU Representative in London. Members were informed the main purpose of the meeting was to hear presentations from His Excellency, Mr Lode Willems and Mr Geoff Martin on the priorities of the Belgian Presidency in the European Union.

3. Presentation on the Priorities of the Belgian Presidency in the European Union

The presentation session started at 3.36pm. Presentations on the priorities of the Belgian Presidency in the European Union were given by His Excellency, Mr Lode Willems, Belgian Ambassador, and Mr Geoff Martin, European Union Representative in Europe.

These involved 4 main areas:

- Internal policy domains including the introduction of the Euro, indicators relating to quality of work and a European Food Authority;

- Continuing with enlargement;

- The external dimension of the European Union including the European Security and Defence Policy; and

- The future of the European Union including the contribution of the constitutional regions.

Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 3.36pm.

Mr Gibson joined the meeting at 3.41pm.

The Chairperson proposed that the meeting suspend for 15 minutes to allow members an opportunity to attend the plenary session; agreed.

Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 3.52pm.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 3.53pm.

Mrs Bell left the meeting at 3.53pm.

Mr Gibson left the meeting at 3.53pm.

Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 4.14pm.

As the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson were not present at the meeting at this time, members agreed to elect a Chairperson. Mr Beggs proposed that Ms Lewsley take the Chair. Dr McDonnell seconded this. This was carried by a majority of members.

4.15pm - Ms Lewsley in the Chair.

The Chairperson rejoined the meeting at 4.16pm, took the Chair and reconvened the meeting.

Ms Gildernew left the meeting at 4.42pm

The representatives left the meeting at 4.59pm.

Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 5.00pm.

4. Any other business

Briefing by Junior Ministers on 2002-03 Budget Proposals for OFMDFM

The briefing session started at 5.01pm. Briefing on the 2002-03 Budget Proposals for OFMDFM was taken from Mr Denis Haughey MLA and Mr Dermot Nesbitt MLA from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It was agreed that the Clerk would prepare a response to OFMDFM, about the Budget Proposals, for the Committee's consideration.

Ms Gildernew rejoined the meeting at 5.06pm.

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 5.06pm.

Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 5.16pm.

Dr Birnie left the meeting at 5.20pm.

The Junior Ministers left the meeting at 5.26pm.

5. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 27 June 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre