COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 24 September 2008
Room 144, PARLIAMENT bUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Helena Maginness (Clerical Officer)
2.02 p.m. The meeting opened in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair
1. Apologies
There were no apologies received.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Seminar on the scrutiny of EU issues
The Deputy Chairperson advised Members that the forthcoming seminar on the scrutiny of EU issues to be hosted by the Scottish European and External relations Committee has been postponed until spring 2009.
Review of the British Irish Council
The Deputy Chairperson advised Members that the Committee had not received the papers for the review of the British Irish Council and that the Head of the Civil Service will address the review later in the meeting.
Correspondence to the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration
Members noted that following last week’s agreement to write to Minister Goggins concerning the holding conditions for asylum seekers and their children, the letter has been sent to Minister Liam Byrne MP, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration who has responsibility for immigration.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters Arising
Victims and Survivors Strategy
Agreed: Members agreed to consider the draft Victims and Survivors Strategy once it had received a summary of the consultation responses from the Department.
Local Boundaries Commissioner
Members noted that the Committee had received a copy of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner’s report.
5. OFMDFM Priorities and Budget and September Monitoring Round
2.10 p.m. Officials joined the meeting
2.12 p.m. Mr Shannon joined the meeting
2.39 p.m. Mr Kennedy joined the meeting
2.58 p.m. Mr Moutray left the meeting
Mr Bruce Robinson, Mr John McMillen, Mrs Jackie Kerr and Dr Gerry Mulligan briefed Members on OFMDFM’s Priorities and Budget and September Monitoring Round. A question and answer session followed. Officials agreed to provide further information relating to OFMDFM’s priorities and the September Monitoring Round.
3.37 p.m. Officials left the meeting
6. Review of the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI)
3.08 p.m. Mr Kennedy took the Chair
3.10 p.m. Mr Victor Hewitt and Professor John Beath joined the meeting
Mr Victor Hewitt, Director of ERINI and Professor John Beath, Chairman of the Board of ERINI briefed the Committee on ERINI’s response to the KPMG Report on the Review of ERINI. A question and answer session followed.
4.15 p.m. Mr Victor Hewitt and Professor John Beath left the meeting
4.25 p.m. Officials joined the meeting
Mr Damian Prince and Mr Dougie Topping, officials from the Department briefed the Committee on the Department’s relationship with ERINI and the way ahead for ERINI following the publication of the KPMG report. A question and answer session followed. Officials advised they are currently undergoing a consultation process with key stakeholders concerning the work of ERINI.
5.00 p.m. Officials left the meeting
Members considered a request from John Corey, General Secretary of NIPSA, to give evidence to the Committee concerning KPMG’s report.
Agreed: Members agreed to request a summary of the responses to the consultation being carried out by OFMDFM and consider the Review of ERINI further once the summary has been received.
7. Cross-cutting priorities
The Chairperson advised Members that this agenda item would be rescheduled for consideration at next week’s meeting.
8. Any other business
Committee for Employment and Learning
Members agreed to forward the letter from the Committee for Employment and Learning to the First Minister and deputy First Minister concerning the European Social Fund.
Committee for Social Development
Members agreed to forward the letter from the Committee for Social Development concerning the Executive programme fund for Children and Young People.
9. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 1 October 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate Chamber.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.10 p.m.