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ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE

Minutes of Proceedings
TUESDAY 11 September 2007
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, MP (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Carmal Hanna
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alan McFarland
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr George Robinson

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sinead Nash (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Nelson McCausland

The meeting opened at 11:05am in public session.

  1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above

  1. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held 03 July 2007

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 3 July 2007.

  1. Matters Arising
3.1 Efficiency Review Panel

Members noted the exchange of correspondence between the Clerk and officials in OFMdFM indicating that the matter remains under consideration and affirming the intention of the Office to consult further with the Committee.

Members also took note of the oral question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 10 September regarding the Efficiency Review Panel and expressed frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress on this issue.

Agreed: That the Chairperson should write to request an urgent meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister to discuss the lack of progress in relation to the Efficiency Review Panel.

3.2 Committee on Procedures

Members discussed the invitation from the Committee on Procedures to make written and oral submissions to the ‘Inquiry into Committee Systems and Structures’.

Agreed: That the Clerk write to the Clerk of the Committee on Procedures stating that the Committee decided not to make a submission to the Inquiry but indicating that at least some Members would participate in the general survey.

3.3 Committee meetings in the Assembly

Members noted that work has begun to establish Room 21 as a Committee Room.

3.4 Executive and Irish Government Review Group

Members gave initial consideration to a letter received on 10 September 2007 from OFMdFM regarding the Review.

11:20am Carál Ní Chuilín joined the meeting

Agreed:

3.5 Strategy on Poverty and Social Inclusion

The Chairperson reminded Members of the Committee’s request to be consulted on ‘Inquiries’ relating to the ‘Strategy on Poverty and Social Inclusion’.

Members discussed the extent of their interest in the Strategy.

Agreed: That the Chairperson write to the Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development and to the Chairperson of the Committee for OFMdFM explaining the reason for the Committee’s interest in this Strategy and suggesting that scrutinising of this Strategy might more properly rest with one, or other, of the Statutory Committees.

3.6 Remit of Assembly and Executive Review Committee

Members noted the terms of reference of the briefing paper originally presented to the Committee at its first meeting on 22 May 2007.

11:32am John O’Dowd left the meeting

Agreed: That this issue be considered as a substantive item at a future meeting which would deal with the Efficiency Review Panel and the Executive and Irish Government Review Group (see also 3.1 and 3.4 above).

  1. Chairperson’s Business
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

The Committee considered two invitations to meet with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

Agreed:

Multiple Mandates

The following interests were declared:

Jeffrey Donaldson:

Danny Kennedy:

Carmel Hanna

George Robinson:

John O’Dowd:

Ian McCrea:

Members noted that responses from two parties, the Alliance Party and the Progressive Unionist Party, had been received and Mr McFarland indicated that the Ulster Unionist Party intended to discuss the issue in the next few days.

Agreed:

  1. Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice

The following interests were declared:

Jeffrey Donaldson:

George Robinson:

Ian McCrea declared the following interest:

6.1 Consideration of Written Submissions

The Chairperson reminded Members that submissions to the Inquiry had been received up to (and including) Thursday 6 September and were included in their black folders.

6.2 Written submissions

The Chairperson referred to submissions received, to representations from the Bar Council and Law Society and correspondence from OFMdFM stating that they are considering the matter.

Members agreed:

6.3 Oral Evidence Sessions

Members reviewed the written submissions received and considered those witnesses who might be called to give oral evidence.

Agreed:

11:45amDanny Kennedy left the meeting

Lord Chief Justice
Secretary of State
Northern Ireland Court Service
Policing Board
Alliance Party
Progressive Unionist Party

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Public Prosecution Service
Committee on the Administration of Justice
Criminal Justice Inspection NI

Department for Social Justice
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Garda Siochana

12:20pm Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting

6.4 Other Issues

The Committee discussed the question of ‘Confidence’.

Agreed:

  1. Draft Press Release

Agreed:

1:00pm Alan McFarland left the meeting

  1. Any Other Business

    Members considered the re-issue of a call for evidence from the Constitutional Affairs Committee to the Inquiry into ‘Devolution: A Decade On’.

Agreed: The Clerk to respond stating that the Committee is not yet in a position to make a submission to its Inquiry, as the Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice is still at an early stage.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 25 September at 10.30 am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.02 pm.

RT HON JEFFREY DONALDSON, MP
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
11 September 2007

03 July 07 / MENU