COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday 28 January 2010
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Jessica Golden-Alexander (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 10.01 a.m. in public session with the Committee Clerk in the Chair

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Nomination of Acting Chairperson

As apologies had been received from the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, the Clerk called for nominations for a Chairperson to Chair the meeting. Mr John McCallister proposed that Ms Sue Ramsey act as Chairperson for this meeting. Mrs Claire McGill seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chair person welcomed Mr Conall McDevitt to his first Committee meeting and referred members to a copy of Mr McDevitt’s declaration of interest form.

The Committee agreed to cancel the afternoon session of the Committee meeting due to difficulties obtaining a Quorum.

10.02 a.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting.

4. Evidence sessions on the revised Departmental expenditure plans

Evidence session with the Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety

The Committee took evidence from

Mr Michael McGimpsey Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety

Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary

Mr Sean Donaghy Deputy Secretary, Resources & Performance Management

Dr Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer

Mr Sean Holland Chief Social Services Officer

A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

Evidence session with Trade Union officials

The Committee took evidence from

Mr Kevin McAdam Regional Officer, Unite

Ms Patricia McKeown Regional Secretary, UNISON