COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2000.
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.
1. Apologies
2. Chairperson's Business
3. Minutes of proceedings, Wednesday 20 September 2000
4. Matters arising from minutes
5. Evidence from officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
6. Evidence from the NI Human Rights Commission
Present: Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr P J Bradley MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In Attendance: Dr Andrew Peoples (Committee Clerk)
Mr Damien McVeigh
Ms Laurie Roberts
Mr Hugh Widdis
Apologies: Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr James Leslie MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Meeting commenced at 2.33pm in closed session
1. Apologies
Apologies listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Laurie Roberts to the Committee office.
The Chairperson informed members that the Committee now had a dedicated research team.
The Chairperson briefed members on a meeting he had with Mr Stephen Imrie, Clerk to the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament.
3. Minutes of proceedings, Wednesday 20 September 2000
The minutes of proceedings for Wednesday 20 September 2000 were agreed.
4. Matters arising from minutes, Wednesday 20 September 2000
The Chairperson informed members that the Clerk had amended the Committees' recommendations to the Central Emergency Planning Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and was taking the matter forward.
The Chairperson informed members that the Clerk has requested a comprehensive brief on the remit of the Gender Policy Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
The Committee debated the draft response on the Equality Commission (Time Limits) Regulations consultation document. The Chairperson stressed that he wished to have the Committees' response agreed; the matter was deferred until later to allow sufficient time for debate.
3.04pm the Chairperson declared the meeting open.
5. Evidence from officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Evidence on the work of the Human Rights Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister was taken from Mr Chris Stewart, Mrs Heather Stevens and Mrs Claire McGivern.
6. Evidence from the NI Human Rights Commission
Evidence on the current and future work of the NI Human Rights Commission was taken from Professor Brice Dickson and Ms Paddy Sloan.
3.57pm Mrs Bell left the meeting.
Mr Maskey intervened during the question and answer session over the issue of addressing his party colleagues. This matter was debated without resolution.
4.03pm Mrs Bell rejoined the meeting.
4.05pm Dr Birnie left the meeting.
4.16pm Mr Bradley and Mr McMenamin left the meeting.
4.18pm Ms Gildernew, Mr Maskey and Mr Murphy left the meeting.
At the conclusion of the evidence session the Chairperson thanked Professor Dickson and colleagues.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.34pm.
Mr Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
4 October 2000
20 September 2000 / Menu / 4 October 2000