Present:
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA, Chairperson
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Mr Billy Bell MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

Attendees:
Mr Tony Logue, Committee Clerk
Mr Damien McVeigh
Mr Hugh Widdis

Apologies:
Dr Dara O'Hagan MLA

11.09am the meeting opened in private session-the Clerk in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apology was noted.

2. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

The Clerk called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson. Mr Robinson proposed that: Mr Hutchinson be the Chairperson of this Committee. Mr Bell seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

On there being no further nominations the Clerk put the question without debate.

Resolved, that Mr Hutchinson, being the only candidate proposed, be Chairperson of this Committee.

11.10am Mr Hutchinson in the Chair.

The Chairperson thanked members for their support and sought nominations for the position of Committee Deputy Chairperson. Mr Bell proposed that: Mr McCarthy be the Deputy Chairperson of this Committee. Mr Paisley seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

On there being no further nominations the Chairperson put the question without debate.

Resolved, that Mr McCarthy, being the only candidate proposed, be Deputy Chairperson of this Committee.

3. Declaration of Interests

No interests were declared.

4. Procedures of the Committee

The Chairperson referred members to a memorandum from the Committee Clerk on the procedures of the Committee contained in their briefing papers.

Resolved,

• Witnesses-the Committee agreed to take evidence from relevant bodies as part of its proceedings.

• Voting-the Committee agreed that in the absence of consensus, simple majority would determine all decisions.

• Minutes of Evidence-the Committee agreed that in the event that any members are unable to attend an evidence session, the uncorrected Minutes of Evidence would be copied to those members for their information.

• Public meetings-the Committee agreed that it would hold all evidence sessions in public.

• Deputies-the Committee agreed not to use deputies.

5. Forward work programme

The Committee noted a memorandum from the Committee Clerk setting out a proposed forward work programme.

The Committee agreed to invite the following bodies to give evidence-

• The Committee on the Administration of Justice;

• The Compensation Agency;

• The General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland;

• The Law Society of Northern Ireland;

• The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and

• Victims Support Northern Ireland.

Further to these, the Committee also agreed to invite comments from the Committee of the Centre, on the general principles of the proposed Order in Council.

6. Any other business

No other matters were raised.

7. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would adjourn for a two-week period to allow witnesses adequate time to make written submissions and that details of the next meeting would issue from the Committee Clerk.

11.15am the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
9 October 2001

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