COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Ms Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Colin Wilson (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Linda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr James Quinn (Clerical Officer)
2.06 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
None
2.07 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting
2. Chairperson’s Business
Clerking Duties
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Stephen Magee as Clerical Supervisor in place of Mrs Lynda Mulholland and wished to place on record his thanks for all the hard work Lynda had put in during her time with the Committee.
The Chairperson advised members that due to the visit to the Scottish Parliament on 7-8 May meeting packs would issue on Monday 11 May.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 & 29 April 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 28 and 29 April 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Consideration of European Issues
2.09 p.m. Dr Ian Duncan from the Office of the Scottish Parliament in Brussels joined the meeting.
2.10 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon and Mr Barry McElduff joined the meeting.
Dr Ian Duncan from the Office of the Scottish Parliament in Brussels briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
2.15 p.m. Mr Stephen Moutray joined the meeting
2.22 p.m. Mr Jimmy Spratt joined the meeting
2.36 p.m. Mr Barry McElduff left the meeting
2.45 p.m. Mr Tom Elliott left the meeting
2.50 p.m. Mr Ian Duncan from the Office of the Scottish Parliament in Brussels left the meeting.
5. Matters arising
Visit to Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre – letter from Regional Director, Home Office Border Agency .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the UK Border Agency to arrange a visit to the immigration holding centre at Dungavel in Scotland on return from the summer recess and to request a further visit to the current holding facilities in Northern Ireland .
Executive’s Response to Committee’s Inquiry into Child Poverty – further information from OFMDFM .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a further update after the Executive Sub-Committee’s second meeting in May.
Funding for Victims and Survivors Group – response from OFMDFM.
The Committee noted the letter from the Department providing further information on funding for victims and survivors groups.
Older People’s Advocate for Northern Ireland – Resources – response from OFMDFM.
The Committee noted the letter from the Department regarding staffing resources with the Older People’s Advocate in Northern Ireland.
Play and Leisure Policy – update from OFMDFM.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a timeframe for implementation of the policy and further information on the types of projects to be funded.
Executive Sub-Committee on Poverty and Social Inclusion - copy of written answer from OFMDFM to Brian Wilson MLA .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a copy of the finalised list of priority action areas after they have been agreed by the Executive Sub Committee.
3.01 p.m. Mr Barry McElduff joined the meeting
Ulster Orchestra – copy letter to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Commission to get their views on the Assembly availing of the Ulster Orchestra at official assembly events.
Clawback of EU Grants – response from Committee for Finance and Personnel
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to request a further update on the potential clawback of EU grants.
Victims and Survivors Strategy
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to advise that the consultation on the Victims and Survivors Service Proposals can proceed without comment from the Committee at this time.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward any comments on the draft Victims and Survivors Strategy to the Secretariat by noon on Monday 11 May 2009 and a composite response can be agreed at the Committee meeting of 13 May 2009 for submission to the Department.
6. Consideration of European Issues (continued)
3.20 p.m. Ms Evelyn Co llins, Mr Bob Collins and Mrs Jane Morrice from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) joined the meeting .
Ms Evelyn Collins , Mr Bob Collins and Mrs Jane Morrice from the ECNI briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.44 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting.
3.56 p.m. Ms Evelyn Co llins, Mr Bob Collins and Mrs Jane Morrice from the ECNI left the meeting.
3.56 p.m. Mr Stephen Moutray left the meeting.
3.57 p.m. Mr Graham Furey and Mr Clarke Black from the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) joined the meeting .
Mr Graham Furey and Mr Clarke Black from the UFU briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a copy of Executive Ministerial attendance in Europe and forward to UFU for information.
4.20 p.m. Mrs Dolores Kelly left the meeting.
4.30 p.m. Mr Graham Furey and Mr Clarke Black from the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) left the meeting .
7. Correspondence
Efficiency Review Panel – copy letter from Assembly and Executive Review Committee to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The Committee noted the letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the creation of an Efficiency Review Panel.
Consumer Council Request for Oral Briefing on the Cost of Insurance in Northern Ireland – memo from Committee for Finance and Personnel.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to advise that this is an important issue and fits within the remit of the Committee for Finance and Personnel and to ask to be kept informed of developments.
The Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation – request for meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to receive a formal briefing from the Centre for Trauma and Transformation at this time, but will request a detailed briefing from the organisation.
8. Any other Business
None
9. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 144 on Wednesday 13 May 2009.
4.37 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.