ADHOC COMMITTEE
DRAFT PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY (NI) ORDER 2009
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY 15 JUNE 2009
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Dr Stephen Farry MLA
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA
Mr Adrian McQuillan MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Apologies:
Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alan McFarland MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Denis Arnold (Committee Clerk)
Ms Eilis Haughey (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairead Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Joanne McCarter (Clerical Officer )
Ms Ruth Barry (Assembly Researcher)
The meeting opened at 11.58 a.m. in open session.
1. Apologies
The apologies are detailed above.2 . Draft Minutes of 8 June 2009
Subject to minor amendments, agreement of the draft minutes of proceedings for Monday 8 June 2009 was deferred to Monday 22 June 2009.
12.02 p.m. Dr Farry joined the meeting
3. Matters Arising
The Committee noted the OFMDFM guidance re ‘Recruiting people with conflict related convictions’.
The Committee noted the Assembly Research paper on the current position of employment of persons with conflict related convictions.
Members noted the National Audit Office Report 2008 on regulating the security industry.
The Committee noted the response from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) providing clarification of a number of issues raised by the Committee relating to the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Members noted information from the SIA website (Northern Ireland section), relating to conflict related convictions.
The Committee noted the response from Mr John Montague (SIA) providing clarification on a number of issues raised by the Committee.
4. Written submission
The Committee noted the written submission from the British Security Industry Association.
The Committee noted the written response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
5. Oral evidence session with the Minister of State, Paul Goggins MP
The Committee noted the Minister’s letter of 12 May 2009, regarding his proposed amendments.
12.05 p.m The Right Honourable Paul Goggins MP, Minister of State and NIO officials joined the meeting.
The Right Honourable Paul Goggins MP , Minister of State accompanied by NIO Officials, Mr Steven McCourt; Mr Ronnie Armour and Mr Gavin Greenlees, briefed the Committee on his plans to extend legislation for regulating the Private Security Industry to Northern Ireland.
A question and answer session followed.
12.35 p.m. Mr Burns joined the meeting.
12.36 p.m. Mr Moutray left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the Minister and his officials for attending.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
12.40 p.m The Right HonourablePaul Goggins MP, Minister of State and NIO officials left the meeting.
12.40 p.m. Dr Farry left the meeting
6. Oral evidence session with the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI
12.41 p.m Representatives from the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI joined the meeting.
Mr Colin Neill, Mr Philip McCann and Mr Stephen Magorrian representing the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI, briefed the meeting on their consideration of the Minister’s evidence. A question and answer session followed. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.1.00 p.m Representatives from the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further clarification from the Northern Ireland Office, on a number of issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek information from the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers.
7. Chairpersons Business
The Chairperson informed the Committee that he spoke in his capacity as MLA when being interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster on Thursday 11 June 2009, on the licensing of doormen.The Chairperson advised Members that in order to meet the Assembly’s deadline of 30 June 2009, the Committee would need to consider, agree and order to print, the content and recommendations of its Report and also to agree the Committee Motion for debate at next week’s meeting.
8. Correspondence
None received.9. Any other business
None raised.
10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee will be held on Monday 22 June 2009 at 1.00 p.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05 p.m.