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AD HOC COMMITTEE
ON
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
UESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2001, ROOM 152 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.

Present:
Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA, Chairperson
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr Gregory Campbell MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mrs Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Pat McNamee MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA

Attendees:
Mr Tony Logue, Clerk of Ad hoc Committees
Mr Damien McVeigh

Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Sir John Gorman MLA
Mr Mitchell McLaughlin MLA

2.35pm: The meeting opened in private session-Mr Shipley Dalton in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apologies were noted. It was further noted that the following members would be deputising Dr Birnie for Sir John Gorman; Mrs Lewsley for Mr Attwood; and Mr McNamee for Mr McLaughlin.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings

Resolved, that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for Tuesday, 4 December 2001 be agreed.

3. Matters arising

Members noted a discussion paper tabled by the Clerk identifying key issues for the Committee's draft Report to be discussed at the Committee's next meeting.

2.38pm: Dr Birnie joined the meeting.

Mr Paisley enquired if there had been any written responses from the Law Society or the Human Rights Commission in relation to points raised during evidence. It was noted that no further papers had been received.

Mr Maginness proposed that the Committee should write to Sir John Gorman extending its best wishes and speedy recovery. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Sir John.

2.43pm: Mrs Bell and Mrs Lewsley joined the meeting.
2.45pm: The Chairperson declared the meeting to be in public session.

4. Evidence session: Probation Board for Northern Ireland

Mrs Bell declared that she was a member of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and that this interest was published in the Register of Interests.

2.45pm: The Chairperson called the witnesses to be examined.

Members heard evidence from the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). Representing PBNI were-

Mr Brian Rowntree, Chairperson of the Board;
Mr Oliver Brannigan, Chief Executive;
Mr Brendan Fulton, Assistant Chief Probation Officer; and
Ms Cheryl Lamont, Assistant Chief Probation Officer.

3.07pm: Mr Ervine left the meeting.
3.10pm: Mrs Nelis left the meeting.
3.10pm: The Chairperson suspended proceedings for 25 minutes - division in the Assembly.
3.35pm: The Chairperson reconvened the meeting.
3.38pm: Mrs Bell left the meeting.

5. Evidence session: The Criminal Bar Association

Mr Shipley Dalton and Mr Maginness declared that they are members of the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland and that interest has been published in the Register of Interests.

3.55pm: The Chairperson called the witnesses to be examined.

Members heard evidence from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA). Representing CBA were-

Mr John Larkin BL, Vice-Chairperson;
Mr Gordon Kerr QC;
Ms Tessa Kitson BL;
Ms Geralyn McNally BL; and
Mr Donal Sayers BL.

4.03pm: Mr McNamee left the meeting.
4.15pm: Mrs Lewsley left the meeting.

6. Any other business

The Chairperson requested leave of the Committee to permit the internal publication of the papers prepared for their information by Research and Library Services. The Committee had no objections.

7. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would next meet at 2.30pm on Thursday, 13 December 2001.

4.38pm: The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA
CHAIRPERSON
13 December 2001
4 December / Menu / 13 December