Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - Northern Ireland Assembly Branch – Executive Committee
Tuesday 21 January 2025
Present:
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA, Chair
Dr Steve Aiken MLA
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
Mr Paul Frew MLA
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Apologies:
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mrs Lesley Hogg, Clerk/Chief Executive
Also In attendance:
Ms Stephanie Mallon, Branch Secretary
Mrs Clare Maguire, Public Engagement Manager
Mrs Caroline Moore, Participation & Outreach Manager
Mrs Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement Co-ordinator (minutes)
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Executive Committee Members of the CPA NI Assembly Branch to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from the following:
- Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
- Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
- Mrs Lesley Hogg, Clerk/Chief Executive
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed.
Proposed by: Dr Steve Aiken MLA
Seconded by: Mr Paul Frew MLA
The Chair advised Members that Dr Kevin Pelan is not currently able to take up the role of Branch Secretary and therefore Ms Mallon will be continuing in the role until further notice.
4. CPA CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/WEBINARS
The Chair stated that Members would be aware of the recent press coverage regarding Assembly travel and reminded Members of the importance of attendance at CPA conferences, seminars, training etc and urged them to continue applying for such opportunities.
He advised them that attendance and participation at these events helps to raise the profile of the CPA Branch, and that they are also fantastic opportunities for Members to build connections, grow networks and enhance their skills as legislators. This is not only of tremendous benefit to them as individuals, but also to the Assembly as a whole.
He stated that on the back of this he was reiterating the importance of completing reports on any conferences attended. The reports enable the Branch to document the objectives of the event or training, as well as a record of key learnings, that can then be shared with others.
He advised that a report template has been created for Members to use and that a copy of the template was at tab 2 in their meeting packs.
Not discussed at the meeting but to note - once complete, the reports will be published on the Members' Portal CPA NIA Branch page (currently in development). Some of the content may also be used on the CPA social media channels, and Members' will be notified of this in advance.
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians British Islands and Mediterranean Regional Conference, Edinburgh, 16-18 March 2025
The Chair advised Members that the annual CWP BIMR Conference will take place in Edinburgh from 16 - 18 March and that the theme of the conference is 'A Parliament for All - The Importance of Women's Participation in Politics'.
He stated that the Branch is entitled to send three female Members to the conference, one of whom must be our CWP Steering Committee Representative which is Michelle McIlveen. He advised that, as the deadline for completed applications was 31st January, an email had already been issued to all female CPA Members asking for applications to attend the conference.
He also advised that, as the Branch will be hosting the conference for the first time in 2026, two members of Engagement staff (Caroline Moore and Nicola Crawford) will be accompanying the delegation to the conference in Edinburgh. They will provide secretarial support to the delegation and, while there, will have meetings with both the organisers and CPA UK representatives to discuss conference organisation, costs and possible themes for our conference in 2026.
5. INWARD VISITS
CPA UK Chief Executive Officer
The Chair advised Members that Ms Dickson has now returned to work however she is receiving ongoing treatment and cannot travel as a result. Ms Dickson has suggested the possibility of an initial virtual meeting followed by an in-person meeting later in the year.
The Chair asked Members if they were content to have a virtual meeting with Ms Dickson and Members were content.
The Chair suggested that the Branch wish Ms Dickson well in her recovery and Members agreed that the Branch should do this.
ACTION: Arrange virtual meeting with Ms Dickson and wish her well in her recovery.
CPA Secretary General
The Chair stated that Mr Stephen Twigg, CPA Secretary-General, will visit the Assembly on Tuesday 18 February to attend the Commonwealth Day event and then to visit some local schools on Wednesday 19 February.
He advised that, as Branch Chair, he will be accompanying Mr Twigg on his visit to schools and that a copy of the draft programme for the visit was at tab 4 in the meeting pack. He stated that Members were welcome to attend the visit and to let Engagement staff know if they would like to do so.
The Chair advised that Botanic Primary School had been chosen due to its wide diversity and that Priory College and Campbell College were also being considered.
The Chair asked Members if they had a preference between the two schools. Dr Aiken stated he would prefer Priory College and that Campbell College should be used for another event.
Members agreed that Botanic Primary School and Priory College should be approached regarding the visit with Campbell College on the reserve list.
ACTION: Botanic Primary School and Priory College to be contacted.
6. ELECTION OBSERVATION TRAINING
The Chair advised that, following on from Dr Aiken's participation in the CPA BIMR Election Observation Mission to the Montserrat in October, Mr Frew had asked about Members receiving training to enable their participatation in future missions.
He stated that CPA UK have advised that there is still no confirmed date for their election observation training and that Engagement staff have therefore found the following training courses, which are recognised by the CPA, and which Members may wish to consider taking:
- Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSEC) election observation training - a free e-learning course that can be done online.
- CLRAE have been contacted regarding their election observation training and we are waiting on their response.
Members agreed that the OSEC training would be the most suitable course to take while waiting for the CPA training to be held.
ACTION: OSEC course details to be issued to Members.
7. MEETINGS WITH UK CPA BRANCHES
The Chair advised Members that at the last meeting they had agreed to wait for the new CPA UK Chair to be in place before the meeting with CPA Branches goes ahead.
The Chair stated that Ms Kate Osamor MP is the new Chair of CPA UK and we are hoping that she will be able to attend the virtual meeting with Ms Dickson.
The Chair advised that, given that some time has passed since Members resolved to connect with the other CPA Committees, he intends to take a lead on this and write to his fellow Chairs to convene a remote meeting.
Members were content with this approach.
ACTION: The Chair to write to the CPA Chairs to convene a remote meeting.
8. DRAFT BRANCH STRATEGY
The Chair referred to the Secretary to discuss the draft action plan with Members.
The Secretary advised Members that it was a very detailed plan which they should take away and consider. She stated that there are a number of items that will be done in the next few months and others that will be done over a longer term.
She then stated that Members, once they had read the action plan, could send through any comments to Engagement staff.
Dr Aiken asked if there had been any progress with the Ontario partnership and the Secretary advised that there had been no further discussions but that the Branch strategy and action plan encompassed the partnership.
9. PROXY VOTING
The Chair advised Members that he had have received a written request from Mr Stewart Dickson (at Tab 7 in their meeting packs) requesting that they, as the CPA Executive Committee, write to the Chair of the Procedures Committee asking the Committee to consider proxy voting arrangements for members of the CPA who are away from Parliament Buildings on official CPA duties, as part of their current consideration of other circumstances.
He advised that the Committee for Procedures is currently conducting an inquiry into the extension of Standing Order 27A which deals with voting by proxy. He stated that members would remember that they previously took a view on the voting for proxy during maternity and paternity absence and that, this time, the inquiry is specifically considering making provision for voting by proxy to accommodate long term illness, bereavement and absence on official Assembly Business.
The Chair advised Members that we are still unsure whether CPA travel falls within the definition of 'official Assembly Business'.
Members were in agreements that all CPA travel should be viewed as Assembly Business.
The Secretary stated that the Branch would write to the Committee stating that Assembly Business should include CPA business and travel. A draft of this letter will be set to Members for approval before being sent.
ACTION: Letter to be drafted for the Committee for Procedures and sent to Members for approval.
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Chair
Procedures Committee
28 January 2025
Dear Chair
I am writing to you as Chair, and on behalf of members, of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Northern Ireland Assembly Branch Executive Committee.
The CPA is an Association of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who, irrespective of gender, race, religion or culture, are united by community of interest, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms, and by pursuit of the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy. Active CPA Branches now exist in 175 national, state, provincial and territorial Parliaments, with a total membership of approximately 17,000 Parliamentarians.
The Association's mission is to promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance. It seeks to build an informed parliamentary community able to deepen the Commonwealth's democratic commitment and to further co-operation among its Parliaments and Legislatures.
I note that the Committee on Procedures has agreed to undertake an inquiry into an Extension of Standing Order 27A, which deals with proxy voting in Plenary. I further note that in the Terms of Reference for its inquiry the Committee states that it wishes to:
'Consider whether Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy should provide for the following new categories:
- Long-term illness; and/or
- Bereavement; and/or
- Absence on official Assembly Business.'
The NI Assembly CPA Branch plays an active role within the larger CPA by promoting its work within Northern Ireland and supporting Commonwealth communities here. Our CPA members support these activities by representing the Branch at conferences, seminars, workshops and participating in training courses and election observation missions. This involvement benefits the CPA through sharing experiences and information amongst Members as well as developing our members through networking and new skills. It also supports the development and growth of other countries in promoting democracy through the election process.
These activities, which are often outside Northern Ireland, are often scheduled to take place on Assembly sitting days meaning that members attending such events cannot participate in Assembly business and, most importantly, cannot vote. This is hindering participation in such events, and I therefore ask the Committee to consider allowing members to use proxy voting arrangements, under the new category 'Absence on official Assembly Business' while they are away from Parliament Buildings on CPA business.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Branch of the CPA
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
WF Massey 100th Anniversary Event
The Chair stated that he had received correspondence about hosting an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of William F Massey and that the Speaker's Office were currently planning an event which CPA Members would be invited to.
11. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 February at 12.30pm in the Private Dining Room.
This will be followed by a reception to mark the 50th meeting of the Executive Committee.
An event to mark Commonwealth Day will be held in Parliament Buildings on the evening of Tuesday 18 February. Details, once confirmed with the Speaker's Office, will be issued to all CPA Members.
The Chair adjourned the meeting.
