Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: Northern Ireland Assembly Branch - Executive Committee
23 April 2024
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
Also In attendance:
Mrs Lesley Hogg, Clerk/Chief Executive
Ms Stephanie Mallon, Branch Secretary
Mrs Clare Maguire, Public Engagement Manager
Mrs Caroline Moore, Participation and Outreach Manager
Mrs Nicola Crawford, Parliamentary Engagement (Minutes)
1. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed Executive Committee Members of the CPA NI Assembly Branch to the meeting. The Chair also welcomed Mrs Lesley Hogg and stated that it was good to see a keen interest being taken in the Branch and its future plans.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Mr Trevor Clarke MLA and Mr Stewart Dickson MLA.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes were agreed.
Proposed by: Mr Keith Buchanan MLA.
Seconded by: Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA.
4. BIMR CONFERENCE
The Chair advised Members that applications had been sought from CPA Members to attend the annual British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) conferencein St. Helena in May, and applications from Dr Steve Aiken MLA, Mr Phillip Brett MLA, Mr Paul Frew MLA and Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA were received for the four available places. The Chair advised that Members will be accompanied by Mrs Lesley Hogg and that travel arrangements for the delegation are currently underway.
It was noted that the programme was not yet available but will be circulated when published.
The Chair asked Members if they were content with the plans and Members agreed that they were content.
5. PARTNER COUNTRIES
The Chair reminded Members of the intention to pursue partnerships with both the Gibraltar Parliament and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Chair advised Members that a letter has been issued to the Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament from the Chair, and a letter from the Speaker, as Branch President, will be issued to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
6. VISIT BY CPA UK CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The Chair noted that Sarah Dickson OBE, the new Chief Executive Officer of CPA UK, has accepted the Executive Committee’s invitation to visit the Assembly.
The Chair suggested, subject to Ms Dickson’s availability, that a reception event is organised alongside a scheduled Executive Committee meeting.
7. COMMONWEALTH MEMORIALS
The Chair reminded Members that at a previous meeting, it was agreed to research Commonwealth memorials in Northern Ireland. Following some research, a memorial was identified in Belfast City Cemetery. The Chair advised that the cemetery holds the largest number of graves maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Northern Ireland. The Commission’s website does not mention any “central” memorial in Northern Ireland, so the memorial in Belfast City Cemetery appears to be the only one.
Mr Frew stated that this information should be passed on to Dr Christopher Stange, Consul General to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as he had asked about a Commonwealth memorial at the Commonwealth Day event.
The Chair stated that it would be fitting to have a purpose built, standalone memorial in Belfast.
Dr Aiken suggested contacting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to check if there are any other memorials in Northern Ireland and what the rules are about erecting such a memorial.
The Secretary suggested finding out more about the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations in sister parliaments in Scotland and Wales and their interface with memorials.
ACTION: Pass on the current information to Dr Stange.
Contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Speak to CPA colleagues to find out more about CPA interface with memorials in the Scottish Parliament and Senedd.
8. ELECTION OBSERVATION TRAINING
The Chair advised that CPA UK, in response to a query on the availability of Election Observation training, advised that the last session was delivered in January 2024 and the next is scheduled for January 2025.
The Chair also advised that an enquiry was made as to whether former CPA Members who had already undertaken training, could take part in election observation missions. CPA UK advised that they would not consider using previous CPA Members for election observation missions whilst they have trained current Members available.
CPA UK also stated that, in 2025, several Overseas Territories and a Crown Dependency have elections planned, so they expect CPA Members will have a number of upcoming opportunities to apply to participate both in the training and in missions.
The Chair suggested finding out if a training course can be held specifically for CPA NI Assembly Branch Members.
Dr Aiken asked how long training lasts for and whether it needs refreshed after a period of time.
ACTION: Contact CPA UK to find out if Election Observation expires or needs refreshed and if a course can be held specifically for CPA NI Assembly Branch Members.
9. MEETINGS WITH UK CPA BRANCHES
The Chair advised that at the previous meeting Members agreed it would be useful to meet with the Executive Committees of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, possibly once or twice a year, to discuss current work plans and possible collaborations. The Chair noted that both Branches had been contacted, and their Executive Committees have agreed to meet with the CPA NI Assembly Branch Executive Committee.
The Chair suggested that the first meeting be online and between Branch Chairs and that the UK Parliament Branch should also be contacted to take part.
ACTION: Contact the UK Parliament CPA Branch to ask them to take part and then organise an online meeting between the Branch Chairs.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
(i) Special observer status for non-Commonwealth countries
The Chair advised that the CPA Branches of the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments were contacted regarding their Members’ stance on the Special Observer status and that both Branches advised that their Members did not have any objections to the status. Therefore, as per discussion at the Executive Committee meeting on 19 March, this Branch agrees not to raise any objections.
The Chair asked the Members if they were content with this and the Members agreed.
(ii) Letter to the former Chair & Executive Committee Members
The Chair noted that letters to the former Branch Chair, William Humphrey, and Executive Committee Members, Mervyn Storey and Robin Newton, have been issued to thank them for their work and commitment to the CPA.
He also advised that the Speaker, in his role asPresident, has agreed to send a letter to the former President, Alex Maskey, thanking him for his work with the CPA.
The Chair asked Members if they were content with this and Members agreed.
ACTION: Contact the Speaker’s Office to get an update on letter of thanks to the former President.
(iii) Executive Committee Photo
The Chair advised Members that, as it has been challenging to get everyone together for a group photo, it would be best to arrange a photo opportunity on a Monday when Members will all be in the building. He suggested having the photo taken at 11.30am on a Monday and Members were content with this.
ACTION: Confirm a date with Members for the group photo.
11. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 28 May at 1.00pm in the Private Dining Room.
JONATHAN BUCKLEY MLA
CHAIR
