ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 18 MAY 2010
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Alex Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr John O’Dowd
In Attendance:
Mr Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 11.05 am in public session.
1. Apologies
Fred Cobain
Nigel Dodds
Declan O’Loan
Ian Paisley Junior
2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 11 May 2010
Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 11 May 2010.
3. Matters arising
Members noted that the Chairman and the Clerk will meet with Agenda NI on Thursday 20 May 2010 to inform the proposed article on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.
4. Chairperson’s Business
None.
5. Correspondence
5.1 There was no incoming correspondence.
Outgoing correspondence
5.2 Members noted a letter dated 11 May 2010 to the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Committee responsibility for outstanding issues relating to the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service.
5.3 Members noted a letter dated 12 May 2010 to the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding issues relating to the Efficiency Review Panel.
6. Forward Work Programme
6.1 There was some discussion on the Forward Work Programme. Members noted that a paper from Sinn Fein remained outstanding.
Agreed: Members agreed that there was significant work to be done before the end of the current mandate.
6.2 Sinn Fein reaffirmed a desire to determine the current position regarding the establishment of the Efficiency Review Panel by way of a meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Agreed: Members agreed that every effort should be made to expedite the proposed meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
7. Office and Role of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service
7.1 Members noted the Clerk’s memo regarding the meeting held on 17 May between the Chairpersons and Clerks of the four Committees i.e. OFMDFM, Procedures, Justice and the Assembly and Executive Review to discuss and agree which Committee/s should now assume the relevant responsibilities relating to the office and role of the Attorney General, including the arrangements for the Attorney General to report to the Assembly, the scrutiny of that office and the accountability and scrutiny arrangements for the Public Prosecution Service.
Agreed: Members agreed that there was a political imperative to resolve outstanding matters and that the Chairman should write, accordingly, to his counterparts.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should refer relevant papers to his counterparts.
8. Any other business
There was no other business.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The Committee agreed that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday, 25 May 2010 at 11.00 am, in Room 21, if the meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister had taken place by then. If not Members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should be convened following consultations between the Chairperson and deputy Chairperson.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.30 am.