COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 5 March 2008
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Tom Elliott
Dolores Kelly
Barry McElduff
Francie Molloy
Stephen Moutray
Jim Shannon
Jimmy Spratt
Jim Wells
In Attendance:
Damien Martin (Assembly Clerk)
Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Marion Johnson (Clerical Assistant)
Ivan Gregg (Bill Clerk)
The meeting opened at 2.01 p.m. in closed session
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Apologies
Martina Anderson
Chairperson’s Business
Climate Change Coalition
The Chairperson advised Members that he had received a request from the Climate Change Coalition to meet with the Committee. Members agreed to write to the Climate Change Coalition seeking further information on the role that they would wish to see OFMDFM playing.
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Draft minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2008
The minutes of proceedings for Wednesday 27 February 2008 were agreed by the Committee.
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Matters Arising
Response from OFMDFM on the Delivery Plans for the Programme for Government and Appointment of Victims Commissioners
The Committee noted the response received from OFMDFM on the Delivery Plans for the Programme for Government and Appointment of Victims Commissioners. The Committee agreed to schedule consideration of the Delivery Plans in late April / early May.
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the remaining matters arising until after the briefing by Ministers.
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Victims and Survivors
The Clerk advised Members on the implications of the legal challenge to the appointments of the Victims Commissioners for discussions with the Ministers regarding the process for appointing the Commissioners.
Members agreed that because of the legal challenge to the appointments they would not ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister questions regarding the process to appoint the Commissioners.
The Clerk advised Members of the provisions in Standing Order 40 which sets out the process for seeking accelerated passage for a Bill.
The First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Minister Donaldson, Junior Minister Kelly and officials joined the meeting at 2.30 p.m.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 2.31 p.m.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister briefed the Committee and answered questions on the Draft Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill, the role of the Victims Commissioners and the Victims and Survivors Strategy. The First Minister and deputy First Minister sought the Committee’s agreement to accelerated passage of the Bill. The First Minister and deputy First Minister agreed to provide clarification in writing on issues raised by Committee Members on the scope and purpose of some provisions within the Draft Bill. Ministers also agreed to forward to the Committee in writing, the information that the Committee is required to receive under Standing Order 40:
(a) The reason or reasons for accelerated passage;
(b) The consequences of accelerated passage not being granted; and, if appropriate,
(c) Any steps he/she has taken to minimise the future use of the accelerated passage procedure.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 3.30 p.m.
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Maze/Long Kesh Regeneration
The Chairperson drew Members attention to the correspondence received from the Ministers concerning the Maze/Long Kesh regeneration.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister briefed the Committee on the position in relation to the Maze/Long Kesh regeneration and advised that the business case for the regeneration is with the Minister for Finance and Personnel and no decision can be made until the Minister considers the business case. The First Minister and deputy First Minister offered to provide the business case for the site as soon as possible and agreed that officials could provide a briefing on the regeneration after the Easter recess.
The First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Minister Donaldson, Junior Minister Kelly and officials left the meeting at 3.50 p.m.
The Committee considered the Ministers request for the Committee’s support for accelerated passage for the Draft Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill.
Mr McElduff proposed the Committee agree to the request from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, that the Committee support accelerated passage for the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill. Mr Spratt seconded the proposal.
Mrs Long proposed an amendment that the Committee defer its decision on the request for accelerated passage until next weeks meeting, after receiving clarification from OFMDFM on issues raised during the meeting and receiving written confirmation of:
(a) The reason or reasons for accelerated passage;
(b) The consequences of accelerated passage not being granted; and, if appropriate,
(c) Any steps he/she has taken to minimise the future use of the accelerated passage procedure.The amendment was seconded by Mrs Kelly.
The Committee divided on the amendment: Ayes 3; Noes 5; Abstentions 1.
Ayes
D Kelly
N Long
T ElliottNoes
B McElduff
F Molloy
S Moutray
J Shannon
J SprattAbstentions
D Kennedy
The amendment therefore fell.The Committee divided on the proposal: Ayes 5; Noes 3; Abstentions 1.
Ayes
B McElduff
F Molloy
S Moutray
J Shannon
J SprattNoes
D Kelly
N Long
T ElliottAbstentions
D KennedyThe proposal was agreed.
During the vote some Members expressed dissatisfaction that an amendment was accepted by the Chairperson, while the vote on the proposal was proceeding.
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 4.13 p.m.
Jimmy Spratt left the meeting at 4.13 p.m.
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Capital Realisations Taskforce
Representatives from OFMDFM and the Strategic Investment Board joined the meeting at 4.16 p.m.
Mr Maitland representing OFMDFM and Mr Gavaghan and Mr McMahon representing the Strategic Investment Board briefed the Committee on the Capital Realisations Taskforce Report. A question and answer session followed. The Deputy Chairperson thanked Mr Maitland, Mr Gavaghan and Mr McMahon for attending.
The Chairperson left the meeting at 4.33 p.m.
The Deputy Chairperson assumed the Chair at 4.33 p.m.
Jim Shannon left the meeting at 4.33 p.m.
Representatives from the Strategic Investment Board and officials from OFMDFM left the meeting at 4.35 p.m.
Members agreed to request that the Committee for Finance and Personnel be asked to provide updates on capital realisations, and to keep the Committee advised of the implications of progress on the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
The Deputy Chairperson declared the meeting open to the public at 4.36 p.m.
The Chairperson resumed the Chair at 4.36 p.m.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 4.39 p.m.
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Proposed Sex Discrimination Order 1976 (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
Officials joined the meeting at 4.41 p.m.
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered questions from Members concerning the proposed regulations. The Chairperson thanked the officials for attending.
Officials left the meeting at 4.46 p.m.
Members agreed to write to OFMDFM to seek clarification on the proposed amendment at article 5A of the regulations “to eliminate the statutory requirement for a comparator” in the definition of discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity leave.
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Child Poverty Inquiry
Members noted the research paper from the Assembly Research and Library Services on tackling severe childhood poverty. Members commented on the high quality of the research papers that had been prepared for the Committee.
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Matters Arising
Strategic Futures
The Committee considered the Final Draft Strategic Audit provided by OFMDFM. OFMDFM advised that the data in the report is effectively out of date and no longer accurately reflects the Northern Ireland position in relation to its content. Members agreed to write to OFMDFM seeking clarification on what data is out of date, why the data is being set aside, what has been the cost of the Audit and whether the department is going to commission an updated Audit.
February Monitoring Round
The Committee were advised that the response from OFMDFM on the February Monitoring Round will be considered at next weeks meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to OFMDFM seeking information regarding the total of £3.8m that was unallocated in the Children and Young People’s Fund.
Response on Funding for Children and Young People’s Priorities
Members noted the response from OFMDFM to the Committee’s request for further information concerning funding for Children and Young People’s priorities.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 4.54 p.m.
Future Together Initiative
Members noted the date of the upcoming Future Together Initiative’s Conference on Investment and Fairness.
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Correspondence
Letter from the Voluntary Sector Housing Policy Forum
Members noted the copy of correspondence to the First Minister and deputy First Minister from the Voluntary Sector Housing Policy Forum.
Letter from Children in Northern Ireland
Members noted the copy of correspondence to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety from Children in Northern Ireland, regarding Executive Programme Children’s Fund. The Committee agreed to press for an urgent response to its earlier letter on the need for early decisions on funding for Children and Young People.
Better Regulation Annual Report 2006/07
Members noted the Better Regulation Annual Report 2006/07 received from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Members had no comments to make on the report.
Correspondence from OFMDFM concerning funding for Minority Ethnic Communities 2008/09
Members noted the correspondence received from OFMDFM advising of the call for applications for funding under the funding scheme for minority ethnic communities.
Letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Members agreed to forward the letter from the Chairperson of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee requesting the Committee’s agreement to forward a letter to the Chair of the Strategic Investment Board.
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Any other business
None.
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Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 144.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.00 p.m.