Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 05 DECEMBER 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Mr Chris Brown
Mr Tim Moore, Researcher

Apologies:
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA

The meeting opened at 2.10pm in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.


2. Chairperson's business

The United Nations' Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict: The Chairperson reminded members about the meeting with the Under Secretary General, Olara Otunnu on Tuesday, 18 December 2001 at 10.00am in Parliament Buildings.


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) Correspondence about a Report on Co-operative Enterprise and Social Disadvantage: The Committee noted the correspondence and also that a copy of the report is available from Committee office staff.

(b) Letter from OFMDFM about the Victims' Strategy Consultation: Members noted the acknowledgement letter from OFMDFM. It was also noted that a summary of responses to the consultation will soon be available and officials will brief the Committee on the development of the Strategy in mid-January 2002.

Action: Clerk

(c) Letter from OFMDFM about the SL1 - Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations: The Committee noted the interim letter from OFMDFM explaining that work is under way to gather the additional information requested. When members receive this information in the New Year, the Committee will reconsider the Regulations.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.15pm.


(d) Letter from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister: Members noted the letter about meetings with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, and the Committee, and were content with the proposals.


6. NI Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force - Consultation Document

I Briefing from the Assembly Researcher

The Assembly Researcher joined the meeting at 2.16pm. Members were given a short briefing on issues they may wish to consider about the NI Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force - Consultation Document.

Mrs Courtney joined the meeting at 2.20pm.

Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 2.22pm.

Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.28pm.

The Assembly Researcher left the meeting at 2.30pm.


II Briefing from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI)

The briefing session began at 2.31pm. Briefing on the NI Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force - Consultation Document was given by Mrs Joan Harbison, Chief Commissioner, Mr Bill Halliday, Director Disability, and Mr Dan Sweeney, Policy Officer in Disability Unit of the ECNI.

The representatives left the meeting at 3.31pm.


7. European Union Inquiry


The Chairperson declared membership of the Community Support Framework Monitoring Committee. The Deputy Chairperson, Mr Beggs, Mr McMenamin and Mr Robinson each declared that they were members of Partnership Boards.

I Briefing by the Specialist Adviser

The Specialist Adviser joined the meeting at 3.32pm and gave the members a short briefing on issues they may wish to raise about the European Union Inquiry.

II Evidence from OFMDFM officials

The evidence session began at 3.35pm. Evidence on the European Union Inquiry was taken from Mr Will Haire, Director, Economic Policy Unit and Public Service Directorate, Mr Murray Cameron, Head of Public Service Improvement Unit and Mr Tony Canavan, Head of Office of the NI Executive in Brussels, from OFMDFM. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry. It was agreed that the Committee would seek a written response to the issues in the Specialist Adviser paper not covered in the meeting.

Action: Clerk

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 3.38pm.

Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.43pm.

Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 4.03pm.

Mr Maskey left the meeting at 4.04pm.

Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 4.09pm.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 4.10pm.

The Specialist Adviser and the officials left the meeting at 4.34pm.


8. Committee response to the Bill of Rights Consultation Document


Members considered their response to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document. The response was agreed subject to minor amendments and additions.

Action: Clerk


9. Any other business


None.


10. Date and time of next meeting


The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 12 December 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.44pm.

Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
12 December 2001


28 November 2001/ Menu / 12 December 2002