Section 34: Ministerial co-chairs of the Joint Committee
This provision requires the functions of the co-chair of the Joint Committee established under Article 164 of the Withdrawal Agreement and as described in 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 clarifies 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.
	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.