CONFIDENTIAL
From: Independent Chairmen Notetakers
26 June 1996
SUMMARY RECORD OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS ON PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES AND AGENDA FOR PLENARY SESSION - TUESDAY 25 JUNE 1996 (17.10)
Those present:
Independent Chairmen
Senator Mitchell
General De Chastelain
Mr Holkeri
Government Teams
British Government
Irish Government
Parties
Alliance Party
Labour Party
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
Progressive Unionist Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Ulster Democratic Party
Ulster Democratic Unionist Party
United Kingdom Unionist Party
Ulster Unionist Party
<br>
1. The _Chairman _(Senator Mitchell) thanked the participants for their continuing patience. He mentioned that he had received a briefing on developments during his absence from General de Chastelain and Prime Minister Holkeri, and had had the opportunity to talk to some of the participants, during which several suggestions had been made for making progress on the rules of procedure. There had been insufficient time to consider these suggestions fully before the present session; another brief adjournment - until 18.00 - was necessary in order to evaluate the
proposals.
2. _Dr Paisley_ mentioned that some of the delegates had other pressing commitments for the evening and suggested that it might be appropriate now to set a time to finish for the day. The _Chairman_ thanked Dr Paisley for drawing this to his attention and mentioned that several participants had suggested 19.00 as a finishing time. _Mr Empey_ said that his party would have difficulty beyond 19.00.
3. _Mr Robinson_ said that he was content that the proceedings be stretched to 19.00. He said he had had the opportunity to speak to the _Chairman_. but not yet the other participants in relation to a proposal for breaking the impasse on procedural rules. The proposal was that there should be some form of analysis of the procedural points\, categorising them into those which were
amendable, those which were statutorily governed etc. If such a paper was produced for some time tomorrow, the participants could, in the meantime look at the draft rules, readily agree those which were not controversial, and set aside those which were for examination one by one. The _Chairman_ thanked Mr Robinson for the suggestion, which was one of several made to him.
4. _Mr Mallon_ asked if it was not possible to start with decision making so that\, for the remainder of the discussion on procedure\, the chair would have the means of reaching consensus. The _Chairman_ said that he was already mindful that the point was approaching when decisions would have to be made and urged the participants to bear that in mind during the adjournment. He said that he did not consider that the difference between _Mr Mallon_ and _Mr Robinson_ on the way forward was a substantial one.
5. The _Chairman_ in adjourning the session until 18.00 urged the participants to confer rapidly in the light of the need for a prompt start.
[Signed]
Independent Chairmen Notetakers
26 June 1996
OIC/21
