ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Oliver Bellew (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Lynn Gray (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Danny Kennedy
The meeting opened at 11.03am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 27 January 2009
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 27 January 2009.
3. Matters arising
The Chairperson reminded Members of a meeting with delegates from the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was due to take place at 2pm on Wednesday 4 February. The Chairperson advised Members that, in his absence, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee would chair the meeting.
The Clerk informed Members that the meeting was initially scheduled to allow for a discussion between the delegates and Members of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, only. However, the scope of the meeting had since been extended to allow each of the political parties to make nominations.
5. Correspondence
Members noted the contents of various items of incoming, and outgoing, correspondence.
11.10am Mr Paisley Jnr joined the meeting .
6.Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters
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
On behalf of Nelson McCausland, the Chairperson declared the following interest:
- Member of Belfast District Policing Partnership
The Chairperson invited Members to declare their relevant interests.
Members declared the following interests:
Alex Maskey
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Ian Paisley Jnr
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
6.1 Briefing Paper 25/08/09 – Draft Forward Work Programme
Members considered a draft forward work programme.
There was some discussion on the merits of visiting other jurisdictions to get a better understanding of the practical arrangements and impacts that those jurisdictions have experienced in their respective governments.
Agreed: Members agreed to re-consider the draft forward work programme after the Specialist Adviser had made a presentation to the Committee on 17 February 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed that, in the meantime, the Committee would concentrate on the financial implications of devolving policing and justice, and that the detailed consideration of the other issues in the Category Two List of Issues would resume in March 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed that the oral evidence sessions should be held, ordinarily, in public session, in the Senate Chamber.
Agreed: Members agreed that the presentation by the Specialist Adviser on 17 February 2009, should be held in closed session.
There was some discussion about inviting the Minister for Finance and Personnel to appear before the Committee, at the same time as the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Agreed: Members agreed to keep the matter under review.
11.18am Mr Attwood left the meeting.
6.2 Committee Briefing Paper 11/08/09 – Sixth Revision – Initial Consideration of the Category Two List of Issues
Members then turned their attention to, and considered, the following issues on the Category 2 List.
6.2 I. In relation to Recommendation 30 of the Committee’s original report, who should undertake the advisory role in relation to the appointment of the Police Ombudsman?
There was some discussion on Issue I.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
6.2.J What procedures and protocols will there need to be between the Minister, an Assembly Committee and any newly established department and its associated agencies?
There was some discussion on Issue J, particularly in relation to the sensitivity attached to some matters relating to policing and justice.
Agreed: Members agreed, in principle, that the procedures and protocols between the Minister, an Assembly Committee and any newly established department and its associated agencies should be the same as those which currently exist for other Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive.
6.2 K. What would be the status of the Minister’s position in, and relationship with, the Executive Committee; and would the Minister be required to bring significant, or controversial, matters to the Executive Committee?
There was some discussion on Issue K.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 10 February 2009 at 11.00am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.45am.