Clause 35: Ministerial co-chairs of the Joint Committee

340 This provision requires the functions of the co-chair of the Joint Committee established under Annex VIII to the Withdrawal Agreement (Rules of procedure of the Joint Committee and Specialised Committee) to be exercised personally by a Government Minister. Further, it expressly requires that only a Minister of the Crown may attend meetings as a replacement for the UK representative co-chair under Rule 1.3 of the Rules of Procedure.

341 The aim of this provision is to ensure that there is ministerial oversight of the Joint Committee and the effect of the provision is that co-chair functions may not be delegated to officials.