ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Minutes of Proceedings
TUESDAY, 10 JUNE 2008
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr George Robinson
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Oliver Bellew (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor) Miss Ruth Barry (Assembly Research Services)
The meeting opened at 11:02 am in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies received.
2. Chairpersons business
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Alex Maskey to the Committee as replacement for Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, and invited him to declare his interests. Mr Maskey declared the following interests:
- Member of Belfast City Council
- Member of Northern Ireland Policing Board
- Member of Inner South Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships
- Member of Outer South Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships
- Member of South Belfast Partnership Board.
3. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 20 May 2008
Agreed: The Committee agreed, as amended, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2008.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Correspondence with the Speaker and OFMDFM.
The Clerk informed the Committee that responses had not yet been received from:
- The Speaker in relation to the Committee’s report on the devolution of policing and justice matters.
- OFMDFM on the proposed Efficiency Review Panel and its implications for the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should seek replies from OFMDFM and the Speaker.
4.2 Meeting with the Minister for the Environment.
Members noted that the Minister for the Environment wished to consider legal advice before agreeing to meet with the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee and the Committee of the Environment.
4.3 Multiple Mandates.
Members noted that Party Position Papers were still outstanding from Sinn Fein and the SDLP.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee would not proceed on the issue until all papers were received.
11.07am Mr Danny Kennedy joined the meeting.
5. Forward Work Programme
Members agreed to work to the existing Forward Work Programme.
6. Multiple Mandates
The following interests were declared:
Jimmy Spratt
- Castlereagh Borough Council
- Chairman of the Northern Ireland Joint Council
- Member of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services ( London)
- Member of Northern Ireland Local Government Association
Danny Kennedy
- Member of Newry and Mourne District Council
Nelson McCausland
- Member of Belfast City Council
George Robinson
- Member of Limavady Borough Council
Ian McCrea
- Member of Cookstown District Council
- Member of NILGA
Alex Maskey
- Member of Belfast City Council
6.1 Advice from the Principal Clerk of Standards, dated 13 th February 2002, was tabled for Members’ information with particular attention being drawn to section 3(a) of the document which related to declaration of interests during committee proceedings.
11.12am Mr Danny Kennedy left the meeting.
6.2 Research Paper on Co-options and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Members received a presentation from the Assembly Research Services.
Agreed: Members agreed that the research paper on Co-options and the Human Rights Act 1998 should be published and that it would prove useful for the proposed discussions with the Minister for the Environment.
7. Any other business
None.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 24 th June 2008 at 11.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.26 am.