COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
WEDNESDAY 1 October 2008
Senate Chamber, PARLIAMENT bUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Helena Maginness (Clerical Officer)
2.02 p.m. The meeting opened in public session
1. Apologies
Mr Barry McElduff.
2. Chairperson’s Business
No Chairperson’s business.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters Arising
Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future
Members noted the response from OFMDFM advising that Ministers hope to have proposals for the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration for a Shared and Better Future with the Committee before Halloween recess.
Tax Credits
Members considered the response from OFMDFM providing information on the work that Her Majesty’s Treasury has undertaken in relation to improving the delivery of tax credits. Members agreed to return to the issue under any other business.
5. OFMDFM Progress on Programme for Government
2.06 p.m. The First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Ministers and officials joined the meeting
2.21 p.m. Mr Elliott joined the meeting
The First Minister and deputy First Minister briefed the Committee on OFMDFM’s progress on Programme for Government. A question and answer session followed.
3.33 p.m. The First Minister, deputy First Minister, Junior Ministers and officials left the meeting
3.33 p.m. Mr McCrea left the meeting
3.33 p.m. Mr Moutray left the meeting
6. Public Authorities (Reform) Bill
Members considered the written evidence received from the Committee’s consultation process on the Public Authorities (Reform) Bill.
Agreed: Members agreed to request officials from OFMDFM, the Department of Social Development and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development to attend to give oral evidence to the Committee concerning the Public Authorities (Reform) Bill at next week’s meeting.
3.36 p.m. Mr Spratt left the meeting
7. Cross-cutting priorities
A Researcher from the Assembly’s Research and Library Service briefed the Committee on how legislative and financial instruments can be used to assist cross-departmental working. A question and answer session followed.
Agreed: Members agreed to request further information from the Department on cross-departmental working.
8. Committee for Finance and Personnel Inquiry
Members considered the Committee for Finance and Personnel Inquiry into the role of the NI Assembly in scrutinising the Executive’s budget and expenditure and also the DFP review of the NI Executive’s Budget process.
Agreed: Members agreed to forward their comments on the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Review questions to the Clerk and consider the response further at next week’s meeting.
9. Correspondence
Committee for Regional Development
Members agreed to forward the letter from the Committee for Regional Development, concerning Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland, to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
10. Any Other Business
Invitation to presentation by Lifeline
The Chairperson advised Members of an invitation the Committee had received to a presentation by Lifeline, to be held in the long Gallery at 11am on Monday 6 October.
Tax Credits
Members considered the response from OFMDFM providing information on the work that Her Majesty’s Treasury has undertaken in relation to improving the delivery of tax credits.
Agreed: Members agreed a response to Her Majesty’s Treasury which would highlight some of the issues and concerns facing the people of Northern Ireland.
11. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in Room 144.
4.10 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting