Constitution

STATUTES
OF THE
CANADA-IRELAND INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP

Passed March 11, 1998
as amended at the General Meeting on March 24, 2015
Larry Miller, M.P.
Chair

1. NAME

The Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group is hereby created. Its purpose, composition and operation shall be explained in detail in the present statutes.

2. PURPOSE

The Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group shall promote exchanges between Irish and Canadian parliamentarians, propose initiatives likely to lead to a better mutual understanding of national and international problems and work to develop cooperation between the two countries in all the fields of human activity.

3. MEMBERSHIP

The Interparliamentary Group shall be composed of members of the Senate and House of Commons who have expressed the intention of joining the Group and have paid the annual dues.

4. WORKING YEAR

The working year of the Interparliamentary Group shall correspond to the fiscal year, that is, April 1 to March 31.

5. THE INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP

The Interparliamentary Group shall function through the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.

6. GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly of the Interparliamentary Group shall meet at least once every fiscal year. The Executive Committee, or a third of the members of the Interparliamentary Group, may call a meeting of the General Assembly upon giving one week’s notice in writing to all members. Ten members shall constitute Quorum at an Annual General Meeting.

7. FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The functions of the General Assembly shall be the following:

1. to elect the members of the Executive Committee;
2. to debate and ratify draft programs proposed by the Executive Committee;
3. to debate and ratify financial and administrative reports prepared by the Interparliamentary Group;
4. to amend, where necessary, the Group statutes by a two‑thirds majority vote of the members present;
5. to make suggestions and adopt resolutions in accordance with the aims of the Group;
6. to dissolve the Group if necessary, by a two-thirds majority of the members present.

8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The Executive Committee is composed of a Chair, two Vice‑Chairs (1 Senator, 1 M.P.), 7 members (of who at least two are Senators). The past Chair is an ex‑officio member of the Executive. The elected members total 10: they are elected for two years by the members of the Group at an Annual General Meeting. If a majority of the members present at the election meeting agree, the number of Directors may be increased from 7 but shall not exceed 14.
2. Both a Parliamentary Secretary and Treasurer shall be selected by the Executive Committee from among its members.
3. The Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons shall be ex‑officio Honorary Chairmen of the Interparliamentary Group;
4. Calling of meetings: Either the Chair or an absolute majority of the Executive Committee members may call a meeting of the Executive;
5. Quorum: The presence of the five (5) Executive Committee members at Executive Committee meetings shall constitute a quorum.

9. COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. At the end of the Executive’s term, the Group Chair and three (3) members of the outgoing Executive representing as much as possible the recognized parties, shall form a Nominations Committee;
2. The Nominations Committee shall invite Group members to stand for the Executive Committee and shall submit a list of candidates to the General Assembly, which will elect members of the Executive Committee. If the number of candidates is not sufficient to fill all positions, the General Assembly shall fill these positions from among its members;
3. The General Assembly, in its choice, shall take into account the representative nature of the recognized parties of both Houses.

10. FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Day to day administration:
   To ensure management of the Group by directing activities and implementing the decisions of the General Assembly.
2. Planning:
   To establish the agenda for Group meetings in accordance with the Association’s aims.
3. Meetings :
   To convene and ensure the smooth running Group meetings.
4. Liaison:
   To maintain relations with Irish counterparts.
5. Organization:
   To prepare and coordinate the activities of the Canada‑Ireland Interparliamentary Group, namely: draft agendas, selection and number of delegates; tour schedules and meeting places.
6. Replacement:
   In case of death, inability to act, loss of parliamentary status or resignation of an Executive Committee member, to appoint a replacement who shall remain in office until the expiration of his/her predecessor’s term.
7. Budget:
   (i) to establish the budget needed to carry out the annual program of the Group;
   (ii) to manage the budget as approved by the General Assembly.
8. Activity and financial reports:
   To table activity and financial reports at least once every working year before the General Assembly for discussion and approval.
9. To inform Parliament of the Group’s activities in accordance with prevailing practices.
10. The Executive Committee shall take any other initiative in accordance with the Group’s aims.

11. FORMATION OF DELEGATIONS:

The Executive Committee shall inform the members of activities and, in Consultation with the Party Whips of their designated representatives, shall select the delegation leaders and the delegates who will attend international meetings of the Canada‑Ireland Interparliamentary Group, taking into account the following:

1. Candidates: Candidates shall be selected on the basis of their interest in areas affecting relations between Canada and Ireland, as expressed through active participation in parliamentary committees or study groups dealing with these issues.
2. Participation: Participation shall allow for familiarity with the relevant ideas and policies. Candidates shall agree beforehand to participate in information sessions and to prepare themselves during these meetings.
3. Representation: As far as possible, the recognized parties shall be fairly represented within the delegations.