ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
Mr John O’Dowd
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 11.12 am in closed session.
Members discussed a letter from the Northern Ireland Policing Board regarding the financial implications of the devolution of policing and justice matters.
Agreed: Members agreed to refer the Northern Ireland Policing Board letter to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and to the Specialist Adviser.
The Committee went into public session at 11.20am.
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 13 October 2009
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 13 October 2009.
11.22 am Mr Paisley Jnr joined the meeting.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Correspondence – outgoing/incoming
Members noted a letter to the First Minister and deputy First Minister requesting to see a copy of a letter which they had received from the Prime Minister.
Members noted a letter from the Bar Council requesting a meeting with the Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Bar Council declining the request for a meeting.
Members noted a letter from the Secretary of State responding to a request by the Committee for information in relation to the devolution of policing and justice matters.
Agreed: Members agreed to forward the Secretary of State’s letter to the First Minister and deputy First Minister for information.
Members noted a letter from the Committee on Procedures updating the Committee on progress on Standing Orders in preparation for the devolution of policing and justice matters.
Members noted a letter from the Prisoner Ombudsman acknowledging the Committee’s decision not to meet with the Ombudsman at this time.
This session was recorded by Hansard.
5. Devolution of Policing and Justice matters
Committee Briefing Paper 11/08/09 – Twentieth 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
The Chairperson invited Members to declare their relevant interests.
Members declared the following interests:
Alex Attwood
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Ian Paisley Jnr
- Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board
Members considered the Category Two List of Issues and reported no change to previously stated positions.
Members discussed Issue K regarding a Minister for Justice’s relationship with the Northern Ireland Executive Committee.
On a proposal from Mr Attwood that:
“The Justice Minister’s status within the Northern Ireland Executive should be as described in the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
Question put: The Justice Minister’s status within the Northern Ireland Executive should be as described in the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
The Committee divided. Ayes 3; Noes 3; Abstentions 2.
Ayes |
Noes |
Abstentions |
|---|---|---|
Alex Attwood |
Simon Hamilton |
Raymond McCartney |
Danny Kennedy |
Ian Paisley Jnr |
John O’Dowd |
Alan McFarland |
Jimmy Spratt |
|
The proposal accordingly fell.
On a proposal from Mr Attwood that:
“The Assembly and Executive Review Committee agrees that there should be no additional requirements on the Justice Minister to bring significant or controversial matters to the Executive Committee.”
On a proposal from Mr Paisley that:
“The Assembly and Executive Review Committee notes Mr Attwood’s proposal.”
Question put : The Assembly and Executive Review Committee agrees that there should be no additional requirements on the Justice Minister to bring significant or controversial matters to the Executive Committee.
The Committee divided. Ayes 3; Noes 3; Abstentions 2.
Ayes |
Noes |
Abstentions |
|---|---|---|
Alex Attwood |
Simon Hamilton |
Raymond McCartney |
Danny Kennedy |
Ian Paisley Jnr |
John O’Dowd |
Alan McFarland |
Jimmy Spratt |
|
The proposal accordingly fell.
Mr Paisley Jnr subsequently withdrew his proposal.
6. Consideration of SDLP Paper on the Public Prosecution Service
Members discussed a SDLP paper, provided to the Committee by Alex Attwood.
On a proposal from Mr Attwood that:
“The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Director of the Public Prosecution Service to appear before the Committee.”
Question put: The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Director of the Public Prosecution Service to appear before the Committee.
The Committee divided. Ayes 1; Noes 7; Abstentions 0.
Ayes |
Noes |
Abstentions |
|---|---|---|
Alex Attwood |
Simon Hamilton |
|
Danny Kennedy |
||
Raymond McCartney |
||
Alan McFarland |
||
John O’Dowd |
||
Ian Paisley Jnr |
||
Jimmy Spratt |
The proposal accordingly fell
On a proposal from Mr Attwood that:
“The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to appear before the Committee.”
Question put: The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to appear before the Committee.
The Committee divided. Ayes 1; Noes 7; Abstentions 0.
Ayes |
Noes |
Abstentions |
|---|---|---|
Alex Attwood |
Simon Hamilton |
|
Danny Kennedy |
||
Raymond McCartney |
||
Alan McFarland |
||
John O’Dowd |
||
Ian Paisley Jnr |
||
Jimmy Spratt |
The proposal accordingly fell
On an amendment from Mr McCartney that:
“The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Director of the Public Prosecution Service to appear before the Committee after the conclusion of the Committee’s Second Report.”
Question put : The Assembly and Executive Review Committee should call the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate and the Director of the Public Prosecution Service to appear before the Committee, after the conclusion of the Committee’s Second Report.
The Committee divided. Ayes 3; Noes 3; Abstentions 2.
Ayes |
Noes |
Abstentions |
|---|---|---|
Alex Attwood |
Simon Hamilton |
Danny Kennedy |
Raymond McCartney |
Ian Paisley Jnr |
Alan McFarland |
John O’Dowd |
Jimmy Spratt |
The proposal accordingly fell.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 3 November 2009 at 11.00am, in Room 21.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.22 pm.