COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2009
ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Jimmy Spratt
Mr Francie Molloy
In Attendance: Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Colin Wilson (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Lynda Mulholland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr James Quinn (Clerical Officer)
2.10 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
2.10 p.m. Representatives from the Houses of the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on European Affairs and Joint Committee on European Scrutiny joined the meeting.
1. Apologies
Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson), Ms Martina Anderson, Mr Stephen Moutray, Mr Barry McElduff, Mrs Dolores Kelly and Mr Ian McCrea.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed members that he had issued a letter of condolence to Mrs Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson) on behalf of the Committee on the death of her mother.
The Chairperson informed members that he would not be available to attend the Committee meeting of 18 March 2009 as he would be in Washington DC attending the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations with the Committee Clerk.
Agreed: Members agreed to cancel the Committee meeting of 18 March.
Events and Invitations
The Chairperson informed members that both he and up to two other Committee members had received an invitation from the House of Lords ad hoc Select Committee on the Barnett Formula to attend a dinner on Thursday 26 March 2009 at 8pm in a central Belfast hotel, yet to be confirmed.
Agreed: Members agreed that the invitation be taken up and the Committee Office would check availability with members.
The Chairperson advised members that he had received an invitation to attend a conference on Corporate Social Responsibility from The Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust on Thursday 26 March 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson would attend.
The Chairperson informed members that Dr Mary Murphy, Lecturer in Politics from University College Cork had written to the Committee requesting a meeting with Mr Kennedy in his capacity as Chairperson. Dr Murphy is conducting research for a book entitled Northern Ireland and the European Union: The Dynamics of a Changing Relationship.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson would meet with Dr Murphy.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 25 February 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Consideration of European Issues
Confirmed meetings
The Chairperson reminded members that a video conference had been arranged and confirmed with the National Assembly for Wales’ European and External Relations Committee on Wednesday 18 March 2009 at 11.30 in the Castle. All five members of the Wales Committee will be taking part in the video conference.
The Chairperson advised that five Members (including the Chairperson) are scheduled to attend the Europe Day Seminar in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May 2009. A meeting with the parliamentarians from Saxony-Anhalt, who will also be in attendance at the Europe Day seminar has been confirmed for 16.00 on 7 May before the Europe Day reception commences.
Evidence session
Representatives from the Houses of the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on European Affairs and Joint Committee on European Scrutiny briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Ronan Gargan (Policy Advisor to both Joint Committees) requesting copies of reports on fisheries issues and exchange of other reports of mutual interest and to provide/exchange details of Secretariat staff.
5. Matters arising
Executive Response to the Barroso Taskforce Report – response from Committee for Regional Development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Department and highlight any areas of discontent.
European Commission Task Force Report – Executive Response.
The Committee noted the Department’s response advising that Executive Committee consideration of the draft Action Plan is anticipated later this month and if consensus is reached, the First Minister and deputy First Minister will present the Executive’s response to President Barroso before Easter.
Gender equality – response from OFMDFM.
The Committee noted the response from the Department providing further information and baseline figures.
Response from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – re Public Authorities duty to produce a Disability Action Plan.
The Committee noted the response from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
6. Correspondence
Issues raised by the Construction Industry Group – copy of letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The Committee noted the letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Gender Equality Strategy – memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Education.
The Committee noted the memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Education.
Letter from the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic.
The Committee noted the letter from the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic.
Letter from the Department advising that the Cedar Foundation briefing papers had been passed to departmental officials for information.
The Committee noted the letter from the Department.
Gender Equality Strategy – memo from the Department for Employment and Learning providing a progress report on that Department’s work on gender equality.
The Committee noted the memo from the Department for Employment and Learning.
Memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel (CFP) on Proposed scrutiny of the financing of Strategic Investment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the proposed scrutiny of the financing of strategic investment should be taken forward under the mechanism proposed by the Finance Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Finance Committee to keep the Committee for OFMDFM apprised of their inquiry as it rolls out.
7. Any other Business
None
2.50 p.m. Mr Jimmy Spratt left the meeting.
8. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 144 on Wednesday 25 March 2009.
3.44 p.m. Representatives from the Houses of the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on European Affairs and Joint Committee on European Scrutiny left the meeting
3.45 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
Mr Danny Kennedy
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister
and deputy First Minister