COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2008
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT bUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
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
Mrs Naomi Long, Mr Francie Molloy, Mr Jimmy Spratt.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings were agreed by the Committee.
2.04 p.m. Mr Moutray joined the meeting.
3. Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
2.05 p.m. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Chief Executive of the Children’s Commission joined the meeting.
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Ms Patricia Lewsley and the Chief Executive of the Children’s Commission, Mr Gerry Campbell briefed the Committee on the Commission’s recent consultation and the planning and prioritisation of the work of the Commission. A question and answer session followed.
2.28 p.m. Mrs Kelly joined the meeting.
2.32 p.m. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Chief Executive of the Children’s Commission left the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People seeking further information on the project in Enniskillen aimed at 14-16 year olds.
4. Chairperson’s Business
Meeting with the Welsh and Scottish Equal Opportunities Committees
The Chairperson thanked the Committee Secretariat for their help in organising the Committee’s visit to the Welsh Assembly on Tuesday 25 November 2008. The Chairperson advised Members that a report of the meeting will be considered at a later stage, the Chairperson also advised that he had offered to host the next meeting following Easter recess.
5. Construction and Property Group
2.35 p.m. The Construction and Property Group joined the meeting.
Mr Brendan Cunane, Mr Maynard Hamilton and Mr Seamus Devine briefed the Committee on the impact of the economic downturn on the Construction and Property Group members. A question and answer session followed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to OFMDFM requesting further information and details of any outcomes to the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s meetings with the financial institutions.
3.08 p.m. Mr Moutray left the meeting.
3.22 p.m. The Construction and Property Group left the meeting.
6. Gender Equality
A Researcher from the Assembly’s Research and Library Services briefed the Committee on Gender Equality. A question and answer session followed.
3.34 p.m. Officials joined the meeting.
Mrs Patricia Carey and Mrs Jane Floyd briefed the Committee on the progress of OFMDFM’s Gender Equality Strategy. A question and answer session followed.
4.05 p.m. Officials left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to OFMDFM requesting further information on a number of issues relating to Gender Equality.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session with Ms Eileen Sung of OFMDFM’s Gender Equality Section in January 2009.
7. December Monitoring Round
4.07 p.m. An Official joined the meeting.
4.09 p.m. Mr Shannon left the meeting.
Mrs Jackie Kerr briefed the Committee on the Department’s proposals for the December Monitoring Round. A question and answer session followed.
4.05 p.m. The Official left the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to OFMDFM requesting that the Committee is briefed on the outcomes of this December Monitoring Round and all future Monitoring Rounds.
8. Matters Arising
Issues awaiting Executive approval
Members noted the response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding issues awaiting Executive approval.
Response from OFMDFM
Members noted the response from OFMDFM regarding issues that the Committee raised at its meeting on 22 October 2008.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to OFMDFM requesting a timescale for the Committee’s consideration of the Victims Service, the draft Strategic Approach to Victims and Survivors and when the Commissioners for Victims and Survivors Work Plan would be signed off by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Correspondence from the Construction Industry Group
Members noted the supplementary information provided by the Construction and Industry Group following its evidence session last week.
Meeting with MEP’s
The Chairperson advised Members that Ms Bairbre de Brun MEP, is unable to attend the meeting on 12 December 2008. The meeting with Ms Bairbre de Brun MEP will be rescheduled for January 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information on the facilities available at Parliament Buildings for MEP’s and former Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
9. Correspondence
Assembly and Executive Review Committee
Members noted the briefing paper and correspondence that was sent to the First Minister and deputy First Minister from the Assembly and Executive Review Committee concerning the devolution of policing and justice.
Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Members agreed to forward the letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, concerning after schools services, to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Committee for Finance and Personnel
Members considered the memo from the Committee for Finance and Personnel inviting the Committee to contribute to its scrutiny of public procurement policy and practice. Members agreed to schedule consideration of this issue into the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
10. Any Other Business
The Chairperson advised Members that train tickets for next week’s visit to Dublin are available from the Clerk’s room on Monday 1 December from 10.00 a.m.
11. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday 12 December 2008 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 144.
4.48 p.m. The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting