ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2008
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr John O’Dowd
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Oliver Bellew (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Fiona O’Connell (Researcher)
Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
The meeting opened at 11.10am in closed session.
The Chairperson indicated that there had been a formal request from the media to film part of the Committee’s proceedings.
Agreed: Members agreed to the request for a limited period.
The meeting opened at 11.11am in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Trevor Reaney, Clerk/Director General, to the meeting.
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Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 16 September 2008
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2008.
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Matters arising
3.1 Dual Mandates
Members noted that the Minister for the Environment had not yet responded to the request for a meeting to discuss legal advice relating to ending dual mandates.
Agreed: That the Clerk should issue a further reminder.
3.2 Efficiency Review Panel
Members noted that OFMdFM had not yet responded to the request for a meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Agreed: That the Clerk should issue a further reminder.
3.3 Visit by German Parliamentarians
Members noted the Chairperson’s report of his meeting with a delegation of German Parliamentarians, which was also attended by Mrs Hanna and Mr McFarland.
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Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters
In relation to the matter of the devolution of policing and justice matters, the Chairperson declared the following interests:
- Member of the Policing Board
The Chairperson invited Members to declare their relevant interests.
Members declared the following interests:
Alex Maskey
- Member of the Policing Board
Nelson McCausland
- Member of Belfast District Policing Board
4.1 Postponement of meeting on 30 th September 2008
Members noted an exchange of correspondence between the Chairperson and Mr Attwood in relation to the postponed meeting of 30 th September 2008.
4.2 Responses from Political Parties
Members noted responses from the leaders of seven of the political parties represented in the Assembly. The Committee also noted correspondence from Mr James H Allister QC MEP, in relation to the devolution of policing and justice matters.
4.3 Response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Members noted that no response had been received from the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
4.4 Composite list of Issues
Members considered a briefing paper by the Committee Clerk which consisted of a matrix of responses from Party Leaders and issues outstanding from a previous committee briefing paper.
Agreed: Members agreed to extend a standing invitation to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to present papers on the devolution of policing and justice matters, and to appear before the Committee from time to time.
Agreed: That the Clerk should re-examine the Composite List of Issues and remove those items on which the Committee had reached consensus in its original report on the Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters.
4.5 Research Paper
Fiona O’Connell, Assembly Research and Library Services, briefed the Committee on the research paper, tabled.
Agreed: Members agreed that Assembly Research and Library Services should prepare papers as proposed.
Agreed: That the Committee should be provided with a summary of the key ‘justice related’ issues contained in the Committee’s original report.
4.6 The Way Forward
Members considered and discussed a committee briefing paper which offered the basis for the Committee to discuss how it might proceed with its further consideration of the devolution of policing and justice matters. During discussions it was suggested that the Alliance Party might usefully be represented on the Committee.
Agreed: That the Committee should be provided with procedural advice on how Membership of the Committee might be increased from 11 Members to 12 Members.
Agreed: That Members would give further consideration to the Committee Briefing Paper on the Composite List of Issues and The Way Forward, and report back to the Committee at the next meeting.
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Draft reply to Mr Allister
Agreed: Members agreed the terms of the reply to a letter from Mr James H Allister QC MEP, as amended.
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Press Release
Agreed: The Committee agreed the terms of a draft press release, as amended.
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Any other business
None.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14 th October 2008 at 11.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.35pm.