ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2007
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, MP (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr George Robinson
In Attendance: Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sinead Nash (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Johnston (Clerical Officer)
Ms Annette Page (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Ian McCrea
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
The meeting opened at 11:10am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 11 December 2007
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2007.
3. 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
3.1 Expert witness session with Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Irish Court Service
Members heard from Mr PJ Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Irish Court Service. The session was recorded by Hansard.
11.24 Alan McFarland joined the meeting
11.24 Danny Kennedy joined the meeting
3.2 Expert Witness session with Professor John Jackson, Queen’s University Belfast
Members heard from Professor John Jackson, Queen’s University Belfast. The session was recorded by Hansard.
12.25 Danny Kennedy left the meeting
3.3 Judicial Accountability
Members noted the paper at tab 3 of their packs by the Judiciary of England and Wales on ‘accountability’.
Agreed: That this paper will be considered at the next meeting on 8 January.
4. Chairperson’s Business
12.28 The meeting was held in private session
4.1 Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice
Members noted the letter from OFMdFM received on 14 December.
Agreed: That officials from OFMdFM would be invited to the Committee meeting on 8 January.
1.15 Danny Kennedy joined the meeting
1.17 The meeting was held in public session
4.2 NI Affairs Committee lunch
Members were reminded of the lunch meeting arranged with the NI Affairs Committee from 1-2pm on Thursday 17 January in the Commonwealth Room.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 NI Affairs Committee: NIPS Recommendations
Members noted the conclusions and recommendations of the NI Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Northern Ireland Prison Service at tab 4 of their packs.
5.2 NIO letter
Members noted the letter received from the NIO clarifying the issues raised by the Committee regarding the ‘future powers of the army to operate in support of the police’.
Agreed: That this matter will be considered at the next meeting on 8 January.
6. Senior Salaries Review Body
Members noted the letter to all Assembly Members from the Chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body regarding pay, allowances and pensions.
Agreed: The terms of the draft letter (tabled) be forwarded to the Assembly Commission to explain the relevance of the Inquiry into multiple mandates with regard to this issue.
7. Draft Press Release
Members agreed the draft press release subject to amendment.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 8 January at 11.00am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.28pm.