COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Ms Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Mr Hugh Widdis

Apologies:
Ms Michelle Gildernew MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

1. Apologies

The apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's Business

None.

3. Approval of draft minutes of previous proceedings

The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.

4. Matters arising

PSI Working Group Report: Agreed that members would consider the report and it would be discussed at a future meeting. Action: Clerk.

5. Correspondence

2.10pm Mrs Bell joined the meeting

Investing for Health Consultation: Agreed that Committee staff would extract relevant information and prepare a brief for members for discussion at a future meeting. Action: Clerk.

6. Briefing on Electronic Communications Bill

The briefing session began at 2.12pm. Mr Hugh Widdis from the Assembly Research & Library Services gave a background briefing to members outlining the Bill.

2.25pm: Mr Shannon joined the meeting.

Mr Roy Beggs Jnr requested further information regarding the Regulation of Investigationary Powers Act. Action: Clerk.

7. Committee scrutiny of Electronic Communications Bill

The evidence session began at 2.30pm. Evidence on the Electronic Communication Bill was taken from Prof. Des Vincent, Mr Ray Wright and Mr Jackie Shanks of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

2.31pm: Ms Lewsley joined the meeting.

The Committee then conducted a clause by clause scrutiny of the Bill with the assistance of officials from the OFMDFM CITU (NI) who answered members' questions.

Clause 1 was read and considered.

Agreed: That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 was read and considered.

Agreed: That Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3 was read and considered.

Agreed: That Clause 3 stand part of the Bill.

Clause 4 was read and considered.

Agreed: That Clause 4 stand part of the Bill.

Clause 5 was read and considered.

Agreed: That Clause 5 stand part of the Bill.

Mr Gibson advised members that he should have declared an interest in the electronics industry.

The officials left the meeting at 3.05pm.

8. Date and time of next meeting

It was agreed that the Committee would meet on Wednesday, 31 January 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3:07pm.

Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
31 January 2001