Minutes of Proceedings - 21 June 2006

Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr D Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Mr M Morrow
Mr C Murphy
Mr J O’Dowd
Mr I Paisley (Jnr)

Present (secretariat): Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk

In attendance: Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms G Campbell Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr H Widdis Legal Adviser

Observers: Mr F Molloy Deputy Speaker
Mr J Wells Deputy Speaker
Mrs M Madden NIO 
Mr N Jackson OFMDFM

1 Working group on the economy

1.1 Members were provided with a copy of a letter received from the Clerk to the Preparation for Government Committee, in which it was reported that the Committee had failed to reach a consensus on the issue of a working group on the economy.

1.2 The Speaker sought parties’ views on a recommendation that the Business Committee might make to the Secretary of State.

1.3 Representatives from Sinn Fein and the SDLP expressed a view that a working group should be set up as a sub-group of the Preparation for Government Committee. Representatives from the DUP, UUPAG and the Alliance Party expressed a view that the working group should be set up as a separate group. 

1.4 The Speaker undertook to forward the views of the parties to the Secretary of State.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 12.25 pm.

The Speaker