Present:
Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA, Chairperson
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Mick Murphy MLA
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA

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

Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Sir John Gorman MLA
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

The apologies were noted. It was further noted that Mr Murphy would be deputising for Mrs Nelis.

Resolved, that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for Tuesday, 11 December 2001 be agreed.

Members noted a research paper prepared by Research and Library Services detailing the role of public prosecutors in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions.

Members noted a written submission received on behalf of Include Youth and the Children's Law Centre. It was agreed that the submission be appended to the Committee's Report.

Members noted position papers from the Alliance Party; and the Social Democratic and Labour Party, it was further noted that Sinn Fein had made a preliminary submission. It was agreed that parties could make submissions up to the end of the Christmas recess period.

Members noted a discussion paper, prepared by the Committee Clerk, on possible issues to raise in the Committee's Report. Following deliberation, it was agreed that the Committee Clerk should prepare a draft Report for consideration at the Committee's next meeting.

The Chairperson informed members that he had received an invitation from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Des Browne, to meet and discuss issues that had been raised during the Committee's proceedings. It was agreed that the Chairperson should accept this invitation and that the Committee Clerk should be in attendance at that meeting.

The Committee agreed that it would next meet at 11.30am on Monday, 7 January 2002.