ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 24 MARCH 2009
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Alan McFarland
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)
Mr Chris McCreery (Clerical Officer)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
Mr Victor Hewitt (Specialist Adviser)
Apologies:
Mrs Carmel Hanna
Mr Nelson McCausland
Mr Alex Maskey
The meeting opened at 11.07am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Chairperson’s business
2.1 The Chairperson informed Members of the Inside Government’s Second Annual Safer and Stronger Communities in Northern Ireland Event, supported by the Community Safety Unit, Northern Ireland Office, which is scheduled for Tuesday 23 June 2009.
2.2 Transcripts of Evidence.
Agreed: Members agreed that the corrected transcripts of oral evidence should be placed on the Committee’s website as a matter of routine.
Dual/Multiple Mandates
2.3 The Chairperson reminded Members of the outcome of the debate, in plenary, on Tuesday 10 March 2009 which related to dual mandates.
Agreed: Members agreed to discuss reinstatement of the issue onto the Committee’s forward work programme at a future meeting
11.12am Mr Kennedy joined the meeting.
3. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 10 March 2009
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 10 March 2009.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Oral Evidence session with the Secretary of State
The Chairperson advised Members that the Secretary of State would give evidence before the Committee on Tuesday 31 March 2009, at the revised time of 2.30pm.
4.2 Committee for Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights
The Chairperson informed Members that the potential dinner with the Committee for Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights of the Oireachtas, scheduled the 30 March 2009, would not now take place.
5. Devolution of Policing and Justice
5.1 Policing Board – Oral Evidence Session
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
Members declared the following interests:
Ian Paisley Jnr
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Members heard evidence from the following representatives of the Policing Board:
Professor Sir Desmond Rea
Mr Barry Gilligan
Mr Adrian Donaldson
Mr Sam Hagen
This was followed by a question and answer session.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
12.20pm Mr Kennedy left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
12.21pm The Policing Board representatives left the meeting.
5.2 PSNI – Oral Evidence Session
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
Members declared the following interests:
Ian Paisley Jnr
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Members heard evidence from the following representatives of the PSNI:
Sir Hugh Orde, Chief Constable
Mr David Best
Mr Mark McNaughten
This was followed by a question and answer session.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
12.50pm The Chairperson suspended the meeting due to a division in the Chamber.
1.03pm The Chairperson resumed the meeting with the following Members present:
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
The Committee resumed the question and answer session with representatives of the PSNI.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
1.12pm Mr O’Dowd rejoined the meeting.
1.32pm Mr Paisley Jnr left the meeting.
1.32pm Mr Kennedy rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing
1.43pm The PSNI representatives left the meeting
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 1.44pm.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 2.17pm with the following Members also present:
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
5.3 Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust – Oral Evidence Session
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
Members heard evidence from the following representatives of Forensic Science NI:
Mr Eddie Gaw
Mr Sheamus Hamill
This was followed by a question and answer session.
The session was recorded by Hansard.
2.47pm Mr McCausland left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for the briefing.
3.03pm The Police Retraining and Rehabilitation Trust representatives left the meeting.
6. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 31 March 2009 at 2.00pm, initially in closed session in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.04 pm.