ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt (Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Fred Cobain
Mr Tom Elliot
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr Conall McDevitt
Mr John O’Dowd
Mr Declan O’Loan

Observers Present:
Mr Steven Agnew (Green Party)
Mr Alan McFarland (Independent)
Mr David Young (Alliance Party)

In Attendance:
Dr Kevin Pelan (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Marian Johnston (Clerical Officer)
Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened at 11.03 am in private session.

The Chair declared the meeting open and pointed out that the meeting was being covered by Hansard.

1. Apologies

Mr Paul Givan

2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 2 November 2010

Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 2 November 2010.

3. Matters arising

None

4. Chairperson’s Business

None

5. Correspondence

5.1 Outgoing Correspondence

Members noted copies of the following letters:

• A request from the Committee Clerk to the Director of Legal Services seeking advice on issues relating to the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill.
• A letter from the Committee Chair to Mr Danny Kennedy thanking him for his contribution to the Committee and congratulating him on his appointment as Minister for Employment and Learning.

5.2 Incoming Correspondence

Members took note of the following document which was tabled for discussion:

• Advice from the Assembly’s Legal Services in relation to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.

6. Consideration of the Party Submissions

6.1 The Chair referred the Committee members to:

• The summary of Party submissions as drafted by the Committee Clerk.
• The Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006.
• The original Section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
• A Research and Library Service Briefing Paper entitled “The Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill – Impact on Constituencies”.

6.2 Jonathan McMillen of Legal Services made a short presentation to the committee on issues relating to its discussions.

11:13Jonathan McMillen left the meeting.

11.17 Alan McFarland joined the meeting

Agreed: It was agreed that, in order to outline their parliamentary obligations, responsibilities and deadlines, the Clerk’s office would compile a timeline for distribution to the committee members

11:18 Tom Elliot left the meeting

7. Any other Business

Agreed: Members agreed that, throughout the duration of the discussions, committee papers should remain confidential

Agreed: It was further agreed that papers would be released for circulation once the discussions concluded and an agreement had been reached

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

Agreed: It was agreed that a return to fortnightly meetings would provide the necessary time and opportunity for the parties to converse on these issues.

Next meeting: 23 rd November 2010

The Chairperson closed the meeting at 11.31 am.

Mr Jimmy Spratt
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
23 November 2010

02 November 10 / Menu