Finance Committee, 21 Nov 2006
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Official Report
144KB pdf
Convener
I open the 29th meeting in 2006 of the Finance Committee and welcome members and the press and public. I ask that all pagers and mobile phones be switched off for the duration of the meeting.
Members will have noticed that a revised agenda for today's meeting was issued yesterday because our former convener, Des McNulty, has been elevated to greater things—some people might say—as Deputy Minister for Communities. On behalf of members, I congratulate him on his appointment and record our appreciation for his convenership of the committee over a number of years.
Des McNulty tendered his resignation on Friday. The agenda for today's meeting had been issued on Thursday, but I was advised by the clerks that, under rule 12.1 of standing orders, when a vacancy for a convener arises, a new convener must be chosen at the first available opportunity. There is a facility that provides for a committee's agenda to be altered in the Business Bulletin, which is why the appointment of a new convener is on today's agenda. If anyone is concerned about the shortness of notice, which I asked the clerks about yesterday, that is the explanation for it.
Parliament has agreed that members of the Labour Party are eligible for nomination as convener of the committee, so I seek nominations from members of that party.
I nominate Wendy Alexander.
I second that.
Does any other member wish to make a nomination?
No.
Ms Wendy Alexander was chosen as convener.
I suspend proceedings briefly while the seating arrangements are changed.
Meeting suspended.
On resuming—