ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2008
Room 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
In Attendance:
Mrs Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Oliver Bellew (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Annette Page (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 11.19am in public session.
The Chairman indicated that there had been a formal request from the media to film at least part of the Committee’s proceedings.
Agreed: Members agreed to the request for a limited period.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 21 October 2008
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2008.
3. Matters arising
3.1 Membership of Standing Committees
Members noted correspondence between the Chairperson and Party Whips regarding representation on the Assembly’s Standing Committees.
3.2 Dual Mandates
Members noted correspondence from the Committee for the Environment.
The Chairperson reported that he had spoken to the Minister who had indicated that a joint meeting would be arranged after the Christmas recess.
3.3 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 about the Efficiency Review Panel.
4. Assembly Commission Report
Members considered a draft input in relation to the work of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed the content of the draft and that it should be included in the Assembly Commission’s Annual Report.
11.34am Ian Paisley Jnr left the meeting
5. Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters
The Chairperson noted an apology from Dawn Purvis, PUP.
In relation to the issue of the devolution of policing and justice matters, the Chairperson declared the following interests:
- Member of the Northern Ireland 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 Partnership
5.1 Research Papers
Members noted two research papers prepared by Assembly Research and Library Services and which related to:
- Independence and Accountability of the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland
- Policing Governance Structure
The Chairperson requested that Members should advise the Clerk of any questions they may have in relation to the two research papers.
5.2 Correspondence from OFMDFM
There was some discussion about the letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, dated 10 November 2008, which had been tabled for the attention of Members.
Agreed: Members agreed that the First Minister and deputy First Minister should attend the Committee meeting scheduled for the 18 November 2008, accompanied as necessary by their respective ‘special advisers’.
Agreed: Members agreed that a Member from each of those parties represented in the Assembly, but not represented on the Committee, were welcome to be present during the session with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
On a proposal from Mr Attwood, that the meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister should take place in public session:
Question put: That the attendance of the First Minister and deputy First Minister at the meeting of the 18 th November, should take place in public session.
The Committee divided. Ayes 2; Noes 8.
| AYES | NOES |
|---|---|
| Mr Attwood | Mr Spratt |
| Mrs Hanna | Mr McCartney |
| Mr Hamilton | |
| Mr Kennedy | |
| Mr McCausland | |
| Mr McFarland | |
| Mr Maskey | |
| Mr O’Dowd |
The proposal accordingly fell .
11.49am Ian Paisley Jnr rejoined the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed that the meeting with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister should be conducted in closed session and they gave an undertaking to treat those discussions in strict confidence.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister about the arrangements for their attendance at the meeting on 18 November.
5.3 Forward Work Plan
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should draft a forward work programme for consideration by the Committee on 18 November 2008 to include references to:
- the session with the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 18 November 2008
- the resumption and conclusion of the detailed discussions on the Category One List of Issues
- Proposed arrangements for the handling of, and discussions on, the Category Two List of Issues.
Members discussed the need for particular information and advice on the financial requirements for any future department which would have the responsibility for policing and justice.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should prepare an initial Briefing Paper on the proposed arrangements for the Committee’s consideration of the Category Two List of Issues, and which would address how the Committee might make an assessment of what budget might be required, if a range of policing and justice matters were to be devolved.
12.14 pm Mr Paisley Jnr left the meeting
6. Press Release
A draft press release was tabled for attention of Members.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the terms of a draft press release.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 18 th November 2008 at 11.00am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.19pm.