ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 9 JUNE 2009
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 Alan McFarland
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Nelson McCausland
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Oliver Bellew (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
Mr Tim Moore (Senior Researcher)
Ms Ruth Barry (Researcher)
The meeting opened at11.05am in closed session.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 26 May 2009
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 26 May 2009.
3. Chairperson’s Business
Report on the meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, held on 2 June 2009.
11.10 am Mrs Hanna joined the meeting
11.12 am Mr Hamilton joined the meeting
11.13 am Mr Kennedy joined the meeting
11.14 am Mr O’Dowd left the meeting
The Chairperson reported on the recent meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in relation to the financial implications of devolving policing and justice matters.
11.18 am Mr McCausland left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to thank them for the meeting, and to offer to share the emerging findings from the Specialist Adviser and to invite the First Minister and deputy First Minister to a Committee meeting, and at which the Specialist Adviser will present a paper on 29 June 2009, in closed session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Minister for Finance & Personnel should also be invited to attend the meeting on 29 June 2009.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Secretary of State and ask him to comment on the Special Adviser’s emerging findings.
11.23 am The meeting opened in public session
4. Correspondence
4.1 Members noted a letter dated 27 May 2009, from the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in relation to the financial implications of devolving policing and justice matters.
4.2 Members noted a letter from the Secretary of State, dated 31 May 2009, in relation to the sharing of Protocols and Concordats.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee Clerk should obtain Annex A, referred to in the correspondence, but omitted from the letter.
11.28 am Mr Attwood joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write again, to the Secretary of State, to seek clarification on some of the points in the letter of 31 May 2009.
5. Research Papers – Public Prosecution Service
The Chairperson referred Members to a series of research papers on the Public Prosecution Service.
The Chairperson welcomed Tim Moore and Ruth Barry from Assembly Research Services, and invited them to brief the Committee on the three research papers.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
11.54 am Mr Kennedy left the meeting
11.57 am Mr McCausland left the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed that a representive of Assembly Legal Services should accompany the Committee on the proposed visits to London and Edinburgh.
The Chairperson thanked Tim Moore and Ruth Barry.
12.02 pm Tim Moore and Ruth Barry left the meeting
6. Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters
Committee Briefing Paper 11/08/09 – Twelfth Revision – Consideration of the Category Two List of Issues
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
In relation to the issue of the devolution of policing and justice matters, Mr Maskey declare the following interests:
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Members indicated that they had nothing further to report in relation to the Category Two List of Issues.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to the Category Two List of Issues at the next meeting of the Committee.
12.06pm Mr O’Dowd rejoined the meeting
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
In light of the visits to London and Edinburgh the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 11.00am, in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.10 pm.