ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Minutes of Proceedings
Thursday 7 February 2008
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson, MP (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Alan McFarland
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr George Robinson
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sinead Nash (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr John O’Dowd
The meeting opened at 2:09pm in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice
2.1 NIO Correspondence 6 February
Members noted the NIO letter of 6 February at Tab 1 of their packs.
Agreed: To return to the issues addressed in this letter following presentation of the draft legislation by the NIO.
2.2 Session with the NIO
The session was recorded by Hansard.
The following interests were declared:
Jeffrey Donaldson:
- Member, Her Majesty’s Privy Council
- Member , Northern Ireland Policing Board
Members heard a summary of the draft legislation from NIO officials Clare Salters and Peter May.
Agreed: That the NIO officials would provide written clarification on a number of issues.
2.28pm Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting
2.3 Naming of the Department
Members discussed the need to agree a title for the new Department.
Agreed: That Members would consult their respective parties and report outcomes at the meeting on Tuesday 12 February.
2.4 Outstanding ‘matters to be transferred’
2.4.1 Compensation
Members discussed the proposals relating to the transfer of responsibility for ‘Compensation’ as set out in the NIO Discussion Document (February 2006).
Agreed:
- That the reserved matters described in the Northern Ireland Office Discussion Document (February 2006) should be transferred.
- There were diverse opinions about the transfer of those matters which are ‘excepted’ and there was no consensus on seeking an amendment to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to allow for a request to be made by the Assembly for the transfer of these ‘excepted’ matters.
2.4.2 Community Safety Partnerships
Members discussed the proposals relating to the transfer of responsibility for Community Safety Partnershipsas set out in the NIO Discussion Document (February 2006).
Agreed:
- That the reserved matters described in the Northern Ireland Office Discussion Document (February 2006) should be transferred.
2.4.3 Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice
Members discussed the proposals relating to the transfer of responsibility for the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justiceas set out in the NIO Discussion Document (February 2006).
Agreed:
- That the reserved matters described in the Northern Ireland Office Discussion Document (February 2006) should be transferred.
2.4.4 Northern Ireland Law Commission
Members discussed the proposals relating to the transfer of responsibility for the Northern Ireland Law Commissionas set out in the NIO Discussion Document (February 2006).
Agreed:
- That the reserved matters described in the Northern Ireland Office Discussion Document (February 2006) should be transferred
3.01pm the meeting was held in private session
The session was recorded by Hansard.
2.5 Structure and accountability
Members discussed a number of outstanding matters relating to the structure and accountability of policing and justice organisations.
2.6 Party Position Papers
Members discussed the party position papers.
Agreed: To continue discussions on the matters discussed in the party position papers in private session at the meeting on Tuesday 12 February.
Agreed: That the Deputy Chairperson would provide clarification on a number of matters at, or before, the meeting on Tuesday 12 February.
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Draft Press Release
Members agreed the draft press release.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 12 February at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.42pm.