JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 2012

Business of Joint Committee

Chairman

Apologies have been received from Ms Margaret Ritchie, MP, and Mr. Mark Durkan, MP, Senator Jim D'Arcy, Deputy Michael Kitt and Deputy Joe McHugh.

I remind Members, guests and those in the Public Gallery to please ensure that all mobile phones and other electronic devices are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even when in silent mode.

I welcome Ms Sineád Quinn, our new clerk to the committee. She is replacing Ms Bridget Doody who, after a very short time with this committee, has moved to the Interparliamentary Union unit. On behalf of members I wish Bridget well in her new post. I look forward to working with Sineád over the coming months.

Deputy Martin Ferris

I have to leave early so I wish to raise the issue of the Taoiseach's committee on the national commemorations. To my knowledge, no elected representative from the Six Counties is a member of that committee. I propose that such a person should be appointed to that committee. I would like to see a person such as Pat Doherty who has been involved in national politics for a long time appointed to that committee.

Chairman

It might also be appropriate to have a Unionist representation on that committee to allow for a balanced representation. I presume the committee could put this proposal to the Taoiseach if the members are in agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The minutes of the previous meeting of 16 February 2012 have been circulated. Are any matters arising? No. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed.