COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy (Chairperson)
Ms Naomi Long (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jim Shannon
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Jimmy Spratt
Ms Martina Anderson
In Attendance:
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Colin Wilson (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr James Quinn (Clerical Officer)
2.25 p.m. The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Mr Ian McCrea, Mr Francie Molloy, Mr Barry McElduff, Mr Tom Elliott and Ms Dolores Kelly
2. Chairperson’s Business
Events and Invitations -
Child Poverty Alliance event – 21 April 2009
The Chairperson informed members that the Child Poverty Alliance will host an event in the Long Gallery on 21 April about “Unravelling the Myths of Child Poverty”.
Afasic Northern Ireland Post Primary Project
The Chairperson advised members of correspondence received from Afasic Northern Ireland Post Primary Project. This is a cross-cutting project which has been in receipt of National Lottery funding.
Agreed: Members agreed to forward details to the Departments to seek a response before receiving a presentation and placing on the Forward Work Programme
Washington Visit
Members noted the report of the St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington DC
Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington and Departmental officials to thank them for their co-operation and assistance.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 25 March 2009 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Consideration of European Issues
Update on administration issues -
Visit to Barcelona
The Chairperson confirmed that the following members had confirmed their attendance for the proposed fact finding visit to Barcelona, Chairperson Danny Kennedy, Deputy Chairperson Naomi Long, Martina Anderson, Barry McElduff, Francie Molloy and Stephen Moutray.
Evidence sessions
The Chairperson informed members that the House of Lords European Select Committee and the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee had agreed to give oral evidence to the Committee on Tuesday 28 April 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed to have a working lunch meeting with the HOC and HOL Committees’ from 12.30 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday 28 April 2009.
Agreed: Members agreed to send details of broad lines of questioning in advance to the two Committees.
Today’s Evidence Sessions
2.31 p.m. Ms Francis McCandless, Director of Policy and Ms Lisa McElherron, Policy Manager NICVA joined the meeting.
Ms Francis McCandless and Ms Lisa McElherron from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
2.43 p.m. Mr Jimmy Spratt joined the meeting
2.50 p.m. Ms Francis McCandless and Ms Lisa McElherron from NICVA left the meeting.
2.51 p.m. Mr Chris Williamson Chief Executive from the NIFHA joined the meeting.
Chris Williamson from the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.13 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon left the meeting.
3.17 p.m. Mr Chris Williamson of the NIFHA left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request additional information from NIFHA on individual housing associations.
3.18 p.m. Ms Elizabeth Law, Ms Bronagh Hinds and Ms Anne-Marie Gray, Policy Officers for the NIWEP joined the meeting.
Ms Elizabeth Law, Ms Bronagh Hinds and Ms Anne-Marie Gray from the Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform briefed the Committee on European issues. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3.24 p.m. Mr Jim Shannon joined the meeting.
3.53 p.m. Ms Elizabeth Law, Ms Bronagh Hinds and Dr Anne-Marie Gray, from NIWEP left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to accept further information from NIWEP on human trafficking and violence against women.
European Commission – Publication Document
The Chairperson advised members of a publication entitled ‘Reporting Europe’ which is sent regularly (three/four times per month) by the European Commission, Belfast Office to the Assembly Library, and contains articles which relate specifically to Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to be added to the Assembly Library’s electronic mailing list for this publication.
5. Matters arising
Committee for Finance and Personnel – Official Report of 4 March 2009 - Barroso Taskforce.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department.
NIAUR Social Action Plan 2009-2014 – response from the Committee for Regional Development.
The Committee noted the response from the Committee for Regional Development.
Monitoring of the Lifetime Opportunities Strategy.
The Committee noted the response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Salary Threshold Student Loans – March 2009.
The Committee noted the response from the Department.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Employment and Learning to request that the OFMDFM Committee are kept informed of developments.
Executive Subcommittee on Poverty and Social Inclusion – Memorandum from this Committee for inclusion in the first meeting of the Subcommittee on 26 March 2009
Agreed: The Committee agreed to table the Clerk’s response to this invitation.
6. Correspondence
Invitation to Chief Executive Farewell Reception – Consumer Council.
Agreed: Members agreed to advise the Committee Office of their availability.
Outline Programme for Northern Ireland Activities 2010.
The Committee noted the letter from the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network requesting a meeting .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to this request and build into the Forward Work Programme.
Executive Support for the Ulster Orchestra .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Department.
Issues raised by the Construction Industry Group to the Committee for Health, Social Services & Public Safety .
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to the Chairperson of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
7. Any other Business
None
8. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 144 on Wednesday 22 April 2009.
4.00 p.m. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.