The latest [but probably not the last – Ed] update in the ongoing and unfolding saga of ad hoc decisions on the assembly by the Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland, Peter Hain. From the NIO statement on the first meeting of the Preparation for Government [PFG] Committee on Monday, and the plenary session of the Assembly on Tuesday, “The Secretary of State will issue a direction on Assembly business in light of discussions at the PFG Committee.” Sounds reasonable.. until you look at the original statement made by Peter Hain on the PFG Committee on May 25th – see below.Full NIO statement issued today 2nd June –
Preparation for Government (PFG) Committee to meet on Monday
The Secretary of State, Peter Hain has directed that the first meeting of the Preparation for Government (PFG) Committee will now be on Monday 5th June and that the Assembly will meet on Tuesday 6th June . The Secretary of State will issue a direction on Assembly business in light of discussions at the PFG Committee
And from the NIO statement of 25th May, as noted at the time –
Notes to Editors:
The first meeting of the committee will take place on Tuesday 6 June.
The Speaker has agreed to convene the first meeting and the committee will discuss chairing arrangements.
The core membership will comprise up to three members each from the DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP and SDLP, and up to two from Alliance.
The initial task of the committee will be “to scope the work which, in the view of the parties, needs to be done in preparation for Government”. The committee may choose to develop this remit by consensus over time or to establish sub-groups to address particular issues.
It would be beneficial for appropriate issues, as they are identified, to be referred by this committee to the Business Committee for debate in the Assembly.
Ah well.. who needs to mess around with unnecessary committees or sub-groups?…
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