COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 2001
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Mrs Annie Courtney
Mr David Ervine
Mr Alex Maskey
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Ken Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies:
Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Esmond Birnie
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Mr James Leslie
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Conor Murphy
The meeting opened at 2.05pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
The Chairperson reminded members that the Norwegian Ombudsman will make a presentation and give evidence as part of the Committee's Inquiry into the proposal for a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland, on Friday, 11 May 2001 at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber.
3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
None.
5. Correspondence
(a) Letter from the Minister for Finance and Personnel about 2002/03 Financial Year - Departmental Bids: The Committee noted the interim report from the Minister of Finance and Personnel acknowledging problems caused by the timescales for the budgetary process. Members expressed concerns about timescales and it was agreed further information was required to allow the Committee to give a considered response. Action: Clerk
(b) Invitation from the Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to a 'Presentation on the Social Economy': Members noted the invitation from the Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and agreed to notify the Clerk of their availability for this event to enable her to make the necessary arrangements. Action: Clerk
(c) Letter from the Chairperson of the Education Committee about the Commissioner for Children in Northern Ireland Inquiry: The Committee noted the letter from the Chairperson of the Education Committee about the Commissioner for Children in Northern Ireland Inquiry. Members expressed concerns about the General Election causing problems with timescales and agreed that the Education Committee should be informed a response was relevant and would be included as part of the Inquiry report. Action: Clerk
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.14pm.
6. Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland Inquiry
I Evidence from a Welsh Assembly Member
The evidence session started at 2.15pm. Evidence on the experience of a dedicated Children's Commissioner in Wales was taken from Ms Kirsty Williams AM, Chairperson of the Welsh Health Committee and Ms Jane Westlake, Committee Clerk.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.25pm.
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 2.37pm.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.56pm.
Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.04pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.18pm
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.18pm.
II Evidence from the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman
The evidence session started at 3.19pm. Evidence on the relationship between the role of the Assembly Ombusdman for Northern Ireland and the proposed Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland was taken from Mr Tom Frawley, Assembly Ombudsman and Mr John McQuarrie, Deputy Ombudsman.
Mr Gibson left the meeting at 3.34pm.
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 3.46pm.
Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 3.57pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 4.00pm.
7. Any other business
None.
8. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Friday, 11 May 2001 at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.01pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
11 May 2001