ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 21 APRIL 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mrs Carmel Hanna
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 Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
The meeting opened at11.07pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 31 March 2009
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 31 March 2009.
3. Matters arising
3.1 Attorney General
Agreed: Members agreed to commission a research paper on the respective roles of the Attorney General and/or Advocate General in other legislatures, and their relationships with the relevant Scrutiny Committees.
3.2 Visits to other legislatures
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to Baroness Scotland, and the Chairperson of the Justice Committee in Westminster, and others, seeking meetings at mutually convenient times in June 2009.
4. Correspondence
Members noted that a letter from the Director of Finance and Support Services, PSNI, advising of severance costs for the PSNI in years 2009/10 and 2010/11, had been referred to the Specialist Adviser.
5. Multiple Mandates
Members considered a letter from the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, requesting an update on the Committee’s progress on the issue of Multiple Mandates.
Agreed: Members confirmed that the issue did form part of the Committee’s work programme, but that the immediate priority continued to be the devolution of policing and justice matters.
As a consequence, the Committee Clerk was asked to schedule the issue of Multiple Mandates onto the work programme in due course.
Members agreed that the Chairperson should reply accordingly to Ms Purvis.
11.18am Mr Attwood joined the meeting.
6. Efficiency Review Panel
There was some discussion in relation to the announcement, by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, about the intention to establish an Efficiency Review Panel.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to indicate that the Committee welcomed the announcement, and that it would be helpful to have an update on the Terms of Reference, membership and proposed work programme.
11.18am Mr O’Dowd left the meeting.
7. Devolution of Policing and Justice
7.1 Committee Briefing Paper 11/08/09 – Seventh Revision – Initial Consideration of the Category Two List of Issues
In relation to the issue of the devolution of policing and justice matters, Members declared the following interests:
Alex Maskey
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Ian Paisley Jnr
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Nelson McCausland
- Member of Belfast District Policing Board
Members then turned their attention to, and considered, the following issues on the Category 2 List.
7.2 B. Who might be responsible for appointments to the judiciary?
There was some discussion on Issue B.
Agreed: Members agreed that appointments to the judiciary would continue to be dealt with through the current legislation.
7.2.C What should be the relationship between SOCA and the Security Services and the Minister/ Department/Assembly? (See also Category One List N - What needs to be done to ensure that attention is given to having appropriate measures in place to address issues such as the role of the security services?)
There was some discussion on Issue C.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Secretary of State, requesting an update on the various Memoranda of Understanding and Protocols.
7.2.D What needs to be done to ensure the maintenance of existing North/South policing and justice agreements, and is there a requirement for a Justice Sector of the North South Ministerial Council?
There was some discussion on Issue D.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Secretary of State in relation to any North/ South justice arrangements which may be in place, at the point of devolution.
7.2.E What is the extent of the financial provisions for a department which would exercise the range of policing and justice functions? (See also Category One List Issue I - How, and when, should the financial negotiations with the NIO be conducted, and by whom?
There was some discussion on Issue E.
Agreed: Members agreed to consider this issue further following the planned presentation by the Specialist Adviser on 28 April 2009.
7.2.F What, if any, consideration should there be of the Ashdown Report on Parading, and is there a need for further clarities of the powers to be devolved, and, if so, should they include matters relating to the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, flags and symbols and recruitment to the PSNI?
There was some discussion on Issue F.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Secretary of State to request an update on when the Ashdown Report might be published.
7.2.G In the context of Recommendation 26 of the Committee’s original report, to which Department should the Public Prosecution Service be attached? (See also Category One List Issue G)
There was some discussion on Issue G.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
11.58am Mrs Hanna left the meeting.
7.2.H In the context of Recommendation 27 of the Committee’s original report, about examining the independence and accountability of the Public Prosecution Service, before, and following devolution, what consideration should be given to this matter, pre-devolution?
There was some discussion on Issue H.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
7.2.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? (See also Category One List Issue G)
There was some discussion on Issue I.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.
7.2.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.
12.14pm Mr O’Dowd rejoined the meeting.
8. Any other business
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee would not meet during the week commencing 1 June 2009.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 at 11.00am, in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
Agreed: Members agreed that the presentation by the Specialist Adviser should be held in private session, but that it would be recorded by Hansard.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.17 pm.
Mr Jimmy Spratt
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
28th April 2009.