COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2002
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr Danny Kennedy MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Barry McElduff MLA
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Victoria Surplus
Ms Laurie Roberts
The meeting opened at 12.09 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's welcome
The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory MP and Ms Gisela Stuart MP. Members were informed that the main purpose of the meeting was to hear presentations from Rt Hon Mr Heathcoat-Amory MP and Ms Stuart MP on the Convention on the Future of Europe.
3. Presentation on the Convention on the Future of Europe
The presentations started at 12.10pm. Presentations on the Convention on the Future of Europe were taken from Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory MP and Ms Gisela Stuart MP.
Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 12.13pm.
These involved the Charter of Fundamental Rights, openness and accountability, enlargement, simplification of the Treaties, delimination of competences, and subsidiarity.
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 12.47pm.
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 1.06pm.
The Minutes of Evidence will be published in due course.
4. Any other business
None.
5. Date and time of next meetings
The next two meetings of the Committee will be held on Monday, 24 June 2002 at 12 noon in Room 144, Parliament Buildings and on Wednesday, 26 June 2002 at 2.00pm in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.12pm.
COUNCILLOR EDWIN POOTS MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
26 June 2002