COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 21 January 2009
Room 144, PARLIAMENT bUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Tom Elliott
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Aiobhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Helena Maginness (Clerical Officer)
2.06 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Barry McElduff.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Barosso Taskforce Report
The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee has been waiting for the Department’s response to the Barosso Taskforce Report since September 2008 and has yet to receive it.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister requesting a meeting to discuss the reasons for the delay in receiving this response.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a Research paper when the response is received.
Consultative Group on the Past
The Chairperson advised that he had received an invitation to attend the launch, on the 28 January 2009, of the report to Government on the findings and recommendations by the Consultative Group on the Past.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2008
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 14 January 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
2.14 p.m. Mrs Long joined the meeting.
4. Consideration of European Issues
2.14 p.m. Ms Bairbre deBrun, Member of the European Parliament, joined the meeting.
2.23 p.m. Mr Spratt joined the meeting.
2.28 p.m . Mr Molloy joined the meeting.
Ms Bairbre deBrun MEP, briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.05 p.m. Ms deBrun, Member of the European Parliament, left the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Mr Sean Neeson, NI Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, joined the meeting.
Mr Sean Neeson briefed the Committee on European on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.31 p.m. Mr Neeson, NI Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, left the meeting.
The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to the written submission to the inquiry from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA).
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite NICVA to give oral evidence.
5. Victims and Survivors Consultation
3.32 p.m. Officials from OFMDFM joined the meeting.
Colin Jack and John Clarke briefed the Committee on the responses received by the Department to the Victims and Survivors Consultation.
4.10 p.m. Mrs Long left the meeting.
4.13 p.m. Officials from OFMDFM left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would draw up a paper which reflected the views of members during the discussion today and that following receipt of the Department’s paper on the Victims Service the Committee would consider submitting a formal response to the Department.
4.16 p.m. Mrs Anderson and Mr Molloy left the meeting.
6. Matters arising
Economic Downturn on Employment in the Construction Industry
The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development about the economic downturn in the construction industry.
Construction Industry Group for Northern Ireland
The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Finance and Personnel arising from the Committee’s discussions with the Construction Industry Group for Northern Ireland.
7. Correspondence
Quarry Products Association
The Committee noted the correspondence from the Quarry Products Association regarding its meeting with the Minister for Regional Development.
8. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 January 2008 at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate Chamber.
4.17 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting