COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2007
THE BOARD ROOM, NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICE CARE
Present: Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Ruth Barry (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.12 p.m. in private session
The Committee deliberated on how the scrutiny of the draft budget and Programme for Government would be carried out. The Committee agreed to draw up procedures for making decisions between Committee meetings.
2.19 p.m. Dr Deeny joined the meeting.
2.42 p.m. Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.
The meeting Moved to public session at 3.04 p.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson thanked the Hospice for their hospitality and the use of their premises to hold the Committee meeting.
Members noted that a report of the Committee’s visit to Scotland was being prepared and would be circulated in due course.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 October 2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members noted a letter from Sally Griffin, a diabetic nurse in the Southern Trust, thanking the Committee for their help in resolving the issue of their pay banding under the Agenda for change.
Members noted a letter from Colm Donaghy, Chief executive, Southern Health & Social Services Trust replying to an enquiry from the Committee about the incidence of MRSA in Craigavon Area Hospital.
Members noted a summary of the key points raised during the lunchtime meeting with the Community Development and Health Network on 18 October 2007.
Members noted a letter received from the Minister in response to questions raised at the Committees meeting on 6 September 2007.
Members noted a letter received from the Minister regarding the Billy Caldwell case, members agreed to write to the Minister again about funding.
Members noted a letter received from the Minister regarding the Closure of Ashdale House and expressed disappointment that he was unable to overturn this decision.
Members agreed to write to the Department of Education through the Committee for Education asking for an update on the Middletown centre for Autism.
Members agreed to write to the Minister to inquire what action was being taken to resolve the dispute regarding a commemorative picture in Enniskillen Fire Station.
The Committee agreed to write to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to invite officials to brief the Committee on the role of the Strategic Investment Board.
The Committee agreed to consider putting forward a Committee Motion on the provision of smoke alarms.
3.15 p.m. Mr McCallister left the meeting.
5. Suicide Inquiry - Evidence session with the British Medical Association
Members took evidence from the following:
Dr Tom Black Deputy Chairman BMA NIGPC
Mr Danny Lambe Deputy Secretary BMA (NI)
Mr Ivor Whitten Assembly & Research Officer
A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.49 p.m. Mr Gallagher left the meeting.
4.15p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.30p.m. Meeting resumed.
6. Evidence session with Departmental officials on the Programme for Government / Budget.
The chairperson made a declaration of interest, stating for the record that she was the wife of the Minister for Finance and Personnel.
Members were briefed by the following:
Don Hill Deputy Secretary
Julie Thompson Director of Finance
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the officials for attending.
5.03 p.m. Mr Buchanan left the meeting.
5.07p.m. Mr Buchanan rejoined the meeting.
5.37 p.m. Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting.
5.38 p.m. Ms Ní Chuilín rejoined the meeting.
5.58 p.m. Ms O’Neill & Ms Ramsey left the meeting.
7. Public Health Amendment Bill
Members were briefed by the following:
Andrew Elliott Director of Population Health Directorate
Seamus Camplisson Health Protection Branch
6.01 p.m. Ms O’Neill rejoined the meeting.
6.08 p.m. Ms Ramsey rejoined the meeting.
8. Statutory Rules
Members were briefed by:
Maria Jennings Head of Consumer Choice and Food Standards Division of the Food Standards Agency.
Statutory Rule 2007/420: The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water & Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/420.
Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No. 420: The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water & Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007and has no objection to the Rule.
Statutory Rule 2007 No 443: The Contaminants in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/443
Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No 443: The Contaminants in Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule.
Statutory Rule 2007 No 434: The Materials & Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/434
Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007 No 434: The Materials & Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and has no objection to the Rule.
7. Proposals for Statutory Rules by the Food Standards Agency
Members were briefed by Ms Maria Jennings, Head of Consumer Choice and Food Standards Unit on proposals for Statutory Rules
Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rules for the following:
The Condensed Milk and Dried Milk (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Food Irradiation Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
The Miscellaneous Food Additives (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
The Drinking Milk Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
8. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
Members noted the correspondence received together with Press Cuttings/ Press Releases.
Members noted a consultation document on the minimum age of sale of tobacco products and that members would have the opportunity to consider this legislation at a later date.
Members noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Vascular group and agreed that they should be invited to a lunchtime meeting with the Committee.
9. Any other business
Members noted that an additional meeting would be held on Friday 23 November 2007 when the Minister would be present to address a number of issues.
Members noted that the Committee had agreed to host a reception for health related groups on Monday 26 November 2007.
Dr Deeny reported that he would be visiting two rural hospitals in Scotland with a group of Healthcare professionals. He agreed to brief the Committee about the visit on his return.
10. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 22 November 2007 at 2.30pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6.20 p.m.