ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE

Minutes of Proceedings

Tuesday, 2 October 2007
The Senate Chamber, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, MP (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alan McFarland
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr George Robinson

In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sinead Nash (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr John Lunny (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mrs Carmel Hanna

The meeting opened at 10:30am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held 25 September 2007

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 25 September 2007.

3. Matters Arising

   3.1 Efficiency Review Panel / North South Ministerial Council Review Group

Members noted that efforts continue to arrange a meeting with the Special Advisors and with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister.

10.40am Ian McCrea joined the meeting

3.2 Multiple Mandates

Members noted the receipt of a response from the Ulster Unionist Party.

Agreed: That those parties still to respond should be encouraged to do so.

3.3 Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice

Members noted that the Director of the Public Prosecution Service has accepted an invitation to appear before the Committee on 16 October.

Members noted that letters have been issued to the Northern Ireland Office and to the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Security Services.

4. Chairperson’s Business

Options for departmental/ministerial model

Members noted the terms of the Secretary of State’s letter of 28 December 2006 about ‘Ministerial Models’ and the associated briefing paper which summarises the various legislative options.

Members noted that the issue of ‘Ministerial Models’ is due to be discussed at 23 October meeting.

5. Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice

The following interests were declared:

Jeffrey Donaldson:

• Member, Her Majesty’s Privy Council
• Member , Northern Ireland Policing Board

George Robinson:

• Member, Limavady District Policing Partnership

Ian McCrea:

• Member, Cookstown District Policing Partnership.

Oral evidence from the Northern Ireland Court Service

Members heard oral evidence from the Lord Chief Justice and his officials, Alison Houston and Simon Rogers. The session was recorded by Hansard.

10.47am Alex Attwood joined the meeting
10.55am Danny Kennedy joined the meeting
11.25am Alex Attwood left the meeting

Oral evidence session with the Northern Ireland Policing Board

Members heard oral evidence from the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea, Vice Chairman Barry Gilligan and Chief Executive Trevor Reaney.

12:04pm Meeting suspended due to division in the Chamber
12:20 Meeting reconvened with the following Members present:

Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Mr Raymond McCartney, Mr Alex Attwood, Mr Danny Kennedy, Mr Nelson McCausland, Mr Alan McFarland, Mr John O’Dowd, Mr George Robinson

12:28 Ian McCrea joined the meeting

6. Further Written submissions received

Members noted that further written submissions had been received from:

• The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform ( Republic of Ireland)
• The Equality Commission
• The Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Robert McCartney Justice Campaign
• The Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Members also noted that submissions were expected from the Bar Library and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary of Justice for Scotland.

Agreed:  

• To accept the latest written submissions and those expected from the Bar Library and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary of Justice for Scotland.
• That a briefing paper be prepared on the existing arrangements for cross border co-operation between the authorities in the Republic of Ireland and the NIO, the impact of devolution on these arrangements and any protocols that would need to be put in place to ensure continued co-operation on policing and justice matters.
• That the questions prepared for the Secretary of State’s evidence session will be revised to incorporate the issues arising from today’s sessions with the Lord Chief Justice and the Policing Board.

7. Draft Press Release

Members agreed the terms of the press release.

8. Any other business

8.1 Committee meeting days

Members noted the increased options for Committee meetings to take place on Wednesday or Thursday.

Agreed: That the Clerk will prepare a schedule of Members’ current meeting commitments for consideration at the 9 October meeting.

8.2 Postal strike

Members noted the possible disruption from the postal strike due to begin on Thursday 4 October.

Agreed: That Committee papers would be delivered to Members’ rooms on, or before, Monday 8 October.

9. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 3 October at 10.30am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.00 pm.

RT HON JEFFREY DONALDSON, MP
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
9 October 2007

25 September 07 / MENU