Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 30th SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr David McClarty MLA (Acting Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Trevor Allen (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr Andy Cooper (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Bill Kinnear (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA

The meeting opened at 10.05am in closed session

Appointment of Acting Chairperson

The Committee Clerk called for nominations to fill the role of acting Chairperson.

Agreed – that Mr McClarty take the chair.

10.07am M r McClarty took the chair at 10.07am.
10.10am The meeting moved into public session
10.10am Ms Lo joined the meeting

Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

1. Minutes of the meetings held on 23rd September 2009

Agreed: The minutes were agreed.

2. Briefing from Invest NI officials on the Short Term Aid Scheme

10.20am Mr Clarke joined the meeting

The Committee received a briefing from Charles Hamilton and Damian McAuley of Invest NI on the Short Term Aid Scheme. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

3. Briefing from UNISON on the proposed privatisation of services at the University of Ulster

The Committee received a briefing from representatives of UNISON: Jonathan Swallow, Consultant, Nuala Conlon, UNISON Area Organiser, Ken Newberry, UNISON Branch Secretary, University of Ulster (Jordanstown Campus), and May McWilliams, UNISON Shop Steward, University of Ulster (Art College) on the proposed privatisation of services at the University of Ulster. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

4. Briefing on the closure of the German Studies Department at Queen’s University

The Committee received a briefing from Professor David Johnston, Dr David Robb and Mr James Maxwell on the planned closure of the German Studies Department at Queen’s University. The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

11.50am Mr Hilditch left the meeting

5. Primary Legislation – Employment Bill

Members noted a revised timeline for the Committee Stage of the Employment Bill.

The Committee also noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the proposed amendments to the Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions: Northern Ireland Committee (NIC-ICTU) seeking views on the proposed amendments to the Bill.

12.03pm Ms Lo left the meeting

6. Matter Arising

12.04pm Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting

7. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a number of items of correspondence and agreed responses. Members also noted a number of forthcoming events.

8. Departmental Press Notices

Members noted a number of Departmental press notice issued recently.

9. Any Other Business
10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 7 th October at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Acting Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12:12pm.

Mr David McClarty
Acting Chairperson, Committee for Employment & Learning
7th October 2009

23 September 09 / Menu