Present:
The President
Hon. Denis Marshall, QSO
Mrs E Bell
Rev R Coulter
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ervine
Mr S Foster
Mr D McClarty
Ms M McWilliams
Mr A Maginness
Mr J Wells

1. HON DENIS MARSHALL QSO, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

The President welcomed Hon Denis Marshall QSO, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and thanked him for taking time to visit the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the CPA.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting of 18 February 2002 were AGREED and signed by the President.

3. MATTERS ARISING

The President informed Members that Mr R Hutchinson, Rev R Coulter, Mrs E Bell and Mr J Ross would be attending the conference in Cardiff, which commences on Monday 8 April and finishes on Friday 12 April.

The topics for discussion at the conference are as follows:

• Public participation in the Democratic Process
• The impact of the Euro
• Tourism as a sector of the economy
• Managing waste to protect the environment

Rev Coulter has been selected to Chair the debate on 'Managing Waste to Protect the Environment'.

4. HON DENIS MARSHALL QSO, SECRETARY-GENERAL, CPA

Hon Denis Marshall QSO addressed the meeting and informed Members that he was appointed to the position of Secretary-General three months ago replacing Mr Arthur Donahoe, QC. He is looking forward to the challenge of extending the role of the CPA especially in the developing countries of Africa. He briefed Members on the challenges facing the CPA. At present the main one is promoting professionalism. He advised the Branch that the 48^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference would be held in Namibia, 1- 14 September 2002.

The President said that the NI Assembly had received a lot of assistance through the Commonwealth particularly from Canada and at present he is looking at ways to provide assistance to new Members after the May 2003 election. The NI Assembly is at present providing assistance on parliamentary procedures to the Assembly in Kosovo where the NI Assembly's Deputy Clerk designate is on secondment until June 2002. In addition, a Clerk will visit the Parliament in Bosnia shortly to provide training for Committee Clerks.

Members asked Mr Marshall questions on various topics connected with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

5. Report on Commonwealth Day

Mr John Torney Principal Clerk, Overseas Office presented a Report on the very successful Commonwealth Day . He thanked Mr McClarty who provided the contact for the Ugandan Choir and all those involved in the arrangements for Commonwealth Day. The President informed Members that he had received a number of thank you letters from people who attended the celebrations and he also wished to thank everyone involved.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

6.1 CPA Conference to celebrate The Golden Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II, 10-16 March 2002, London & Oxford

The President noted that Mr David McClarty attended the special Conference of the CPA from 10-16 March 2002 and that he would present a Report on the Conference for the next meeting.

2. Two representatives from The Ulster Young Farmers Club

Two representatives from The Ulster Young Farmers Club travelled to London to celebrate Commonwealth Day. They would be invited to the next CPA meeting to present a short report on their experience.

6.3 Associate Official Membership of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

The President informed members that retired Members of the Assembly Secretariat are eligible to remain as Associate Official Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the Branch.

6.4 Zimbabwe Branch Status

A decision was taken on 19 March 2002 by the Commonwealth Chairperson's Committee on Zimbabwe to suspend Zimbabwe from the councils of the Commonwealth for one year.

6.5 Representation on the CPA Executive Committee

At present there are three positions on the CPA Executive Committee and one of these positions is held permanently by the UK Branch. The Isle of Man is putting forward a motion at the CPA conference in Wales suggesting that all three positions should be rotated. Most other branches in the British Islands and Mediterranean Region accept that it is right that the UK Branch, by virtue of its uniquely large contribution of funds and work, should continue to be so represented. To date every other Branch has supported the UK with the exception of the Scottish Branch.

The President asked the Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch for their view. Mr Clarty proposed that Members should support the current UK position, this was seconded by Mr J Wells and AGREED unanimously.

7.DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting to be arranged.

The meeting adjourned at 1pm.

18 February 2002 / Menu / 17 June 2002