COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
MONDAY 24 JUNE 2002
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr Danny Kennedy MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Barry McElduff MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Apologies:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Victoria Surplus
Ms Laurie Roberts
The meeting opened at 12.13pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's welcome
The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular His Excellency Mr Tom Risdahl Jensen accompanied by Ms Jeanette Thornton from the European Commission Representation in Northern Ireland. Members were informed that the main purpose of the meeting was to hear a presentation from His Excellency, Mr Tom Risdahl Jensen on the priorities of the Danish Presidency in the European Union.
3. Presentation on the Priorities of the Danish Presidency in the European Union
The presentation started at 12.15pm. A presentation on the prioities of the Danish Presidency in the European Union was given by His Excellency Mr Tom Risdahl Jensen. These involved five main areas:
- Enlargement - concluding the first round of the accession negotiations;
- Greater security and safety - priority will be given to implement the EU action plan to combat terrorism;
- Sustainable development in economic, social and environmental terms - priority will be given to implementation of the internal market and development of the EU Member States' economic co-operation;
- Food safety and reforms of EU agricultural policies - emphasis will be placed on food safety and discussions will be initiated on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy;
- Global responsibility of the EU - the EU's special responsibility for peace and stability in a world characterised by increasing interdependence, especially in regard to the fight against international terrorism and the efforts to reduce poverty.
Members then had an opportunity to discuss in more detail with His Excellency those issues which were highlighted in the presentation.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 12.18pm.
Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 12.25pm.
Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 12.30pm.
Mr Kennedy left the meeting at 12.45pm.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 12.45pm.
Mr McElduff left the meeting at 1.03pm.
Mr McMenamin left the meeting at1.03pm.
Mrs Bell left the meeting at 1.07pm.
4. Any other business
None.
5. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 26 June 2002 at 2.00pm in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.17pm.
COUNCILLOR EDWIN POOTS MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
26 June 2002