COMMITTEE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY
FIRST MINISTER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Tom Elliott (Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Alan Bresland
Mr William Humphrey
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr George Robinson
Mr Jimmy Spratt

Apologies:
Mr Barry McElduff
Mr Francie Molloy

In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in public session at 2.05 p.m.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson sought any declarations of interest from Members in relation to items of business being discussed.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 24 November 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Childcare Strategy

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing further information in relation to the development of a Childcare Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Committee for Education for their information.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request information on when the Executive would be considering this issue, which Department will be given lead responsibility and if there will be a dedicated or ring-fenced budget for childcare.

Review of North South Implementation Bodies

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing further information in relation to the Review of the North South Implementation Bodies.

Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 2.08 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request information on the timescale for completing the Review and to seek further information in relation to the consultation process.

Commissioner for Older People

The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further clarification in relation to the Public Prosecution Service and the Commissioner for Older People Bill.

Invitation to the Opening of the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels

The Committee noted an invitation from the First Minister and deputy First Minister to attend the opening of the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels.

5. Correspondence

Committee for Finance and Personnel

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Budget 2011-15.

The Committee also considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding a report by the Confederation of British Industries on revenue raising proposals.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking their comments on the report and to request an update on the Programme for Government and if any pre-consultation has taken place or what consultation is planned to take place.

6. Procurement Process

Department of Finance and Personnel officials joined the meeting at 2.19 p.m.

Mr Spratt joined the meeting at 2.21 p.m.

Department of Finance and Personnel officials, Mr Des Armstrong and Mr Stewart Heaney briefed the Committee on the procurement process. A question and answer session followed. Officials agreed to provide the Committee with further statistical information.

Department of Finance and Personnel officials left the meeting at 3.15 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Hansard of today’s evidence session to the Committee for Finance and Personnel and the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment for their information.

7. Any Other Business

Electronic Devices

The Committee discussed the use of electronic devices for Committee meeting papers.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to express its interest in trialling the use of electronic devices for meeting packs.

Transfer of Functions Order

The Committee were advised that the Department is planning on bringing forward the Transfer of Functions (Tribunal Reform) Order to the Committee on 15 December 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Justice to request a briefing from its officials on the proposals.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 8 December 2010 at 2 p.m.

• The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.20 p.m.

Mr Tom Elliott
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

24 November 10  / Menu