Chairpersons’ Liaison Group
Minutes of proceedings - 22 October 2024
Chairpersons’ Liaison Group- Minutes of Proceedings - 22 October 2024.pdf (150.49 kb)
Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Kellie Armstrong MLA
Phillip Brett MLA
Joanne Bunting MLA
Deborah Erskine MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Nick Mathison MLA
Apologies:
Paula Bradshaw MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Robbie Butler MLA
Alan Chambers MLA
Colm Gildernew MLA
Liz Kimmins MLA
Daniel McCrossan MLA
Philip McGuigan MLA
Carál Ni Chuilín (Chairperson)
Matthew O’Toole MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Mary Kerr (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Charmaine McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Lesley Hogg (Chief Executive/Clerk to the Assembly)
Frank Geddis (Clerk Assistant)
Paul Gill (Clerk Assistant)
Stephanie Mallon (Clerk Assistant)
The meeting commenced at 1:15pm in closed session.
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed members to the fifth meeting of the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group (CLG) and provided an overview of the items of business.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
Agreed: The Chairpersons agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2024.
3. Matters Arising
3a) Parliamentary Excellence Programme
Members were content to note the Autumn update on the Parliamentary Excellence Programme 2024.
Phillip Brett left the meeting at 1:18pm
The meeting lost a decision-making quorum at 1:18pm, therefore no further decisions could be made.
The Deputy Chairperson asked Roisin Kelly (Clerk to CLG) to speak to members on the recent ‘Effective Questioning’ sessions that were delivered to committees by John Sturrock KC of Core Solutions. The Clerk asked members for feedback on the ‘Effective Questioning’ sessions and if there was anything they would require for a more bespoke training session.
Members expressed views on their respective committees’ agenda; the pressure on Chairs to get business through; the timeliness and quantity of departmental papers and; how these impact on an appropriate level of scrutiny.
3b) Update – Report on Strengthening Scrutiny
Members received an update on the progression of the predecessor Chairpersons’ Liaison Group (2017-2022) recommendations on strengthening committee scrutiny.
Members discussed delegated legislation and had an interest in expanding knowledge of what is required of committees when they review these rules to ensure compliance with legislation. Members also discussed breaches of the 21-day rule.
While noting that they did not have quorum to decide actions, the Chairpersons present suggested that agreement of the Chairpersons be sought by email for the issue of correspondence to Ministers on the issues discussed; and asked the Clerk to action this suggestion.
8. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The Deputy Chairperson announced that the next meeting of the CLG was scheduled for Tuesday 3 December 2024, in Room 21 at 1pm.
Joanne Bunting left the meeting at 1:59pm.
Having lost quorum, the meeting adjourned at 2pm
Carál Ni Chuílin MLA
Chairperson, Chairpersons’ Liaison Group
22 October 2024
