COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Helena Maginness (Clerical Officer)
Mr Tim Moore (Senior Researcher)
2.31 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Mr Tom Elliott and Mr Stephen Moutray.
2. Chairperson’s Business
EC- UK Chairpersons’ meeting on Monday 8 December 2008
The Chairperson updated the Committee on the outcome of the EC-UK Chairpersons’ meeting held in Parliament Buildings on Monday 8 December 2008.
Meeting of Wednesday 14 January 2009
The Chairperson advised that Children in Action had organised for young carers to brief the Committee at its meeting on Wednesday 14 January 2009.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that this would be an informal session and that the formal meeting would commence at 2.30pm.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings were agreed by the Committee.
4. Consideration of EU Issues
2.09 p.m. The NI members of the UK delegation to the European Economic Social Committee joined the meeting.
2.32 p.m. Mrs Kelly joined the meeting.
Jane Morrice and Mike Smyth briefed the Committee on European issues. A question and answer session followed.
3.15 p.m. The NI members of the UK delegation to the European Economic Social Committee left the meeting.
The Chairperson drew the Committee’s attention to the number of written submissions received from Local Government organisations and Other Groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite these organisations to give oral evidence.
The Committee noted that the Executive’s response to Barraso has not been received and therefore the briefing scheduled for 14 January 2009 will be deferred until 21 January 2009.
A Senior Researcher briefed the Committee on the European regions which the Committee could engage with in order to inform its ongoing consideration of European Issues. A question and answer session followed.
3.21 p.m. Mr McCrea left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to visit the Parliaments of Catalonia and Saxony-Anhalt.
3.34 p.m. Mr McCrea rejoined the meeting.
5. The Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008
The Committee considered the Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it has no objections to the Rule.
6. Draft Equality Impact Assessment on the Regeneration of Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Park
The Committee considered the draft Equality Impact Assessment on the Regeneration of Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Park.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should contact the Clerk to the Committee for Social Development to establish what action that Committee was taking.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to ask the Office of the First and deputy First Minister for an update on the Maze/Long Kesh regeneration.
7. Matters arising
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
The Committee noted the response from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People providing further information following her presentation to the Committee on 26 November 2008.
8. Correspondence
EQIA consultation on Belfast City Centre West Side Regeneration District Draft Regeneration Plan
The Committee noted the correspondence received from the Department of Social Development regarding the EQIA consultation on Belfast City Centre West Side Regeneration District Draft Regeneration Plan.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Clerk should contact the Clerk to the Committee for Social Development to establish what action that Committee was taking.
Post Project Evaluations (PPEs)
The Committee considered the correspondence received from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the subject of PPEs. The Committee noted that there are two outstanding PPEs for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister what stage the PPEs are at and why they have not been completed.
Quaker Cottage Teenage Project
The Committee considered the correspondence received from the Quaker Service concerning the difficulties faced by the Quaker Cottage Teenage Project.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this correspondence to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for a response.
Committee for Employment and Learning
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and learning concerning the work of the Employment Services Board in West Belfast and the Greater Shankill area to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister for a response.
9 . Any other business
Scottish Parliament seminar on European issues
The Committee considered the correspondence received from the Scottish Parliament concerning the arrangements for the seminar on European issues on 7- 8 May 2009.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson would attend together with one nomination from each of the other parties. Mr Spratt, Mr Molloy and Mrs Kelly were nominated for their respective parties.
10. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 2.30 p.m. in Room 144.
3.44 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting