COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Barry McElduff
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)
2.04 p.m. The meeting opened in public session
1. Apologies
Martina Anderson
2.05 p.m. Mr McElduff joined the meeting
2.05 p.m. Mr Shannon joined the meeting
2. Chairperson’s Business
Elaine Duffy “Voices of Hope”
Members considered the e-mail from Elaine Duffy.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk would forward the email to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for their consideration.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings were agreed by the Committee.
2.06 p.m. Mr Elliott joined the meeting
4. Matters Arising
Letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Members considered the letter from the First Minister and deputy First Minister on holding conditions for asylum seekers and their children in Northern Ireland. Members noted that the First Minister and deputy First Minister will be making further representations to the Home Office about the proposed Immigration and Citizenship Bill.
2.10 p.m. Mr Molloy joined the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed to seek clarification on the details of what the proposed representations are likely to be. Members agreed to ask for information on the number of asylum seekers held and where they are held. Members agreed to express the wish to visit a holding facility.
Public Authorities (Reform) Bill
Members noted the letter from OFMDFM advising that the Committee’s proposal is under consideration and that a reply will issue in due course.
5. Strategy for Children and Young People – Draft Action Plan 2008-2011
2.14 p.m. Officials from OFMDFM joined the meeting
Colin Jack, Caroline Evans and Orla Heatley briefed the Committee on the draft Action Plan. A question and answer session followed.
3.00 p.m. Mr McElduff left the meeting
3.00 p.m. Officials left the meeting
3.00 p.m. Mr Spratt joined the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed an interim response to the Department on the draft Action Plan 2008-11.
6. Review of Sustainable Development
3.02 p.m. Officials from OFMDFM joined the meeting
Damian Prince, Jim Sutherland and John Bradley briefed the Committee on the Review of Sustainable Development.
3.18 p.m. Mr McElduff rejoined the meeting
This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.32 p.m. Officials from OFMDFM left the meeting
7. NIAUR Sustainability Consultation
Members considered the papers from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment concerning the NIAUR Sustainability Consultation.
Agreed: Members agreed to respond to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment advising that the Committee is in favour of sustainable development and welcomes measures to improve it. Members agreed to forward views raised by an individual Member.
8. The Salaries (Assembly Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: Members agreed that there are no objections to the Rule.
9. Forward Work Programme for October – December 2008
Agreed: Members agreed the Forward Work Programme for October to December 2008.
10. Correspondence
Letter from the Chairman of the Construction Industry Group
Members considered the letter from the Chairman of the Construction Industry Group in which he referred to the recently established Assembly Construction Group. The Assembly Construction Group has suggested that Assembly Committees may wish to hear about the current challenges in delivering the Investment Strategy and the possible solutions.
Agreed: Members agreed to receive a briefing from the Assembly Construction Group. Members agreed to have the session recorded by Hansard and to make it available to other committees.
11. Any Other Business
Receipt of Departmental papers
The Clerk drew Members’ attention to a delay in receiving Departmental papers for the meeting on 22 October 2008.
Agreed: Members agreed that meeting packs would issue on Monday 20 October 2008. Members agreed to advise the Committee Office where to deliver packs.
12. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 October 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate.
3.42 p.m The Chairperson adjourned the meeting
Mr Danny Kennedy
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister
and Deputy First Minister