Minutes of Proceedings

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

~ NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY BRANCH ~

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

MONDAY 17 JUNE 2002 AT 4.00 PM
IN THE READING ROOM, LIBRARY, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

The meeting began at 4.10 pm

Present: 
The President
Mr B Armstrong
Mrs E Bell
Rev R Coulter
Mr D Ford
Mr S Foster
Sir J Gorman
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr D Hussey
Mr D McClarty
Ms J Morrice
Mr D Watson
Mr J Wells

Apologies: 
Mrs J Carson

In attendance:
Mr A Moir Clerk to the Assembly
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk
Mr J Torney Principal Clerk, Overseas Office
Ms G Campbell P/S Speaker
Mr J Ross
Ms E Gillen
Ms A Sloan

1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting of 8 April 2002 were AGREED and signed by the President.

2. MATTERS ARISING

2.1 CPA Conference to celebrate the Golden Jubilee 10 -16 March 2002

Mr D McClarty presented his report to the Members. He said that the Conference was a valuable opportunity for exchange of information and networking. The fact that the Conference celebrated HM the Queen's Golden Jubilee made it particularly memorable.

2.2 Commonwealth Day celebrations in London 11 March 2002

Mr T McCaughey and Ms G Thompson from the Ulster Young Farmers Club travelled to London to take part in the Commonwealth Day celebrations. Mr T McCaughey presented his report to the Members and thanked the Branch for giving him the opportunity to take part in the celebrations.

2.3 33rd Conference of the British Islands and Mediterranean Region, Wales 8-12 April 2002

Rev Coulter presented his report on the Conference, which he attended in Wales.

3. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS

3.1 The following Members were elected to office:

The following Members were nominated for election to the Executive Committee:

After a secret ballot the following Members were returned to serve on the Executive Committee:

Ms Jane Morrice, Rev Robert Coulter, Mr David McClarty, Mr Sam Foster, Mr Denis Watson and Mr Jim Wells.

All Office bearers will serve on the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the CPA until the next Annual General Meeting. It was AGREED that a meeting of the Executive Committee should be held as soon as convenient.

4. REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NIA BRANCH OF THE CPA AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD 1 APRIL 2001 - 31 MARCH 2002

The Report on the activities of the Branch and the Financial Statement for the period 1 April 2001 - 31 March 2002 were noted. These have since been circulated to all Members.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Conference on Enhancing Good Governance by Curbing Corruption

Mr Derek Hussey attended the Conference on Enhancing Good Governance by Curbing Corruption from 10 - 14 June 2002 held in Wilton Park, Steyning, West Sussex. He will provide a Report for the next CPA meeting.

48th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Namibia, 2-14 September 2002

Members of the Executive Committee AGREED at their meeting on 10th June that Mr D McClarty should attend as delegate and Mr R Hutchinson as substitute and Mrs E Bell as Observer with Mr A Maginness as substitute.

Members AGREED Mr J Wells as substitute replacing Mr Hutchinson as he is unable to attend and Mr A Maginness will attend as Observer replacing Mrs E Bell.

14th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar 20-27 October 2002, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Pakistan

The Branch has been invited to register interest in sending one delegate to the 14th Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar in Pakistan. Registration of interest should be made by 10 July 2002 and invitations will be issued to the selected branches by the end of August 2002. Members AGREED to send a letter to register their interest in sending a delegate.

CBE

Members congratulated Mr S Foster on receiving a CBE in Her Majesty's recent Birthday Honours list.

6. DATE TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held after summer recess.

The meeting adjourned at 4.35pm

THE LORD ALDERDICE
The President