COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Alan Bresland
Mr William Humphrey
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr George Robinson

Apologies:
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Dr Stephen Farry
Mr Jimmy Spratt

In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)
Miss Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in public session at 2.08 p.m.

The Clerk advised Members that the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson were unable to attend today’s meeting and therefore a temporary Chairperson would need to be appointed. The Clerk sought proposals.

Mrs Kelly proposed Mr Molloy and Mr Bresland seconded the proposal.

Agreed: Mr Molloy assumes the position of temporary Chairperson.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Declaration of Interests

The temporary Chairperson sought any declarations of interest from Members in relation to items of business being discussed.

Meeting on 23 March 2011

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting papers for next week’s meeting would be issued to Members on Monday 21 March 2011.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 9 March 2011 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Post Project Evaluations

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information on the Post Project Evaluations they have outstanding.

Committee for Education

The Committee considered responses from the Committee for Education on the abolition of the Sustainable Development Commission and on the Executive’s discussion paper on European Engagement.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response on the abolition of the Sustainable Development Commission to the Department for consideration.

Law Society of Northern Ireland

The Committee noted correspondence from the Law Society of Northern Ireland to advise that it would be submitting additional evidence to the Committee in the new mandate on the Committee’s consultation on proposals to reform the Office of the Ombudsman.

European Matters

The Committee considered a response from the Speaker concerning the Assembly’s engagement with the European institutions and offering to meet the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to discuss the Committee’s role and the role of the Assembly Commission in European matters.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should meet with the Speaker and report back to the Committee.

Programme for Government Delivery Report to 30 September 2010

The Committee considered the Programme for Government Delivery Report to 30 September 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that Departmental officials brief the Committee on the Delivery Report at next week’s meeting.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.14 p.m.

5. Correspondence

Decision to Remove the Default Retirement Age

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information on the process for bringing forward regulations in relation to the removal of the default retirement age.

Maze/Long Kesh Update Report

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing an update on the regeneration of the Maze/Long Kesh site.

Anti-Discrimination Legislation

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department concerning strengthening anti-discrimination legislation.

Draft Sustainable Development Implementation Plan

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing an update on the draft Sustainable Development Implementation Plan and advising that all responses have now been received and published on the Department’s website.

Cross Departmental Gender Equality Action Plans

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department providing an update on the Cross Departmental Gender Equality Action Plans.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that Departmental officials brief the Committee on the Gender Equality Action Plans at next week’s meeting.

European Social Fund

The Committee noted correspondence from Action Mental Health concerning the impact of reductions to the European Social Fund.

Gifting of Former Military Sites

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department advising that an agreement has been reached with the Ministry of Defence concerning the gifting of former military sites under the Hillsborough Agreement.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that Departmental officials brief the Committee on the outcome of the agreement at next week’s meeting.

6. Child Poverty Strategy

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.18 p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Joe Reynolds and Ms Orla Heatley briefed the Committee on the draft Child Poverty Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 2.53 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to junior Ministers to express the Committee’s dissatisfaction that there appear not to have been any discussions with various European bodies to identify possible funding streams, to remind the Ministers of the recommendations in the Committee’s Report and to stress that the production of an Action Plan, with a Northern Ireland focus, should be a Departmental priority.

Mr McElduff left the meeting at 2.57 p.m.

Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 2.58 p.m.

7. Play and Leisure Implementation Plan

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.59 p.m.

Departmental officials Ms Martina Campbell and Ms Brenda Stevenson briefed the Committee on the draft Play and Leisure Implementation Plan. A question and answer session followed.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 3.05 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that insufficient time had been given to allow proper consideration of the document and to request that officials attend next week’s meeting to answer further questions on the draft Play and Leisure Implementation Plan.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.12 p.m.

8. Draft Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.13 p.m.

Departmental officials Ms Martina Campbell and Mr Stephen Orr briefed the Committee on the draft Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provision) Regulations 2011. A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the draft Regulations.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.28 p.m.

9. End of Session Report 2011-2012

Agreed: The Committee agreed its End of Session Report 2010-11.

10. Committee Legacy Report

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee’s Legacy Report be amended and considered again at next week’s meeting.

11. Any Other Business

No other business.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 23 March 2011 at 2 p.m.

The temporary Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.34 p.m.

Mr Tom Elliott MLA
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister
and deputy First Minister

09 March 11  / Menu