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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Tom Elliott (Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Allan Bresland
Mrs Dolores Kelly
Mr William Humphrey
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr George Robinson
Mr Jimmy Spratt

Apologies:
Mr Barry McElduff

In Attendance:
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)
Mr Michael Potter (Research Officer) Item 7 only
Mrs Patricia Casey (Bill Clerk) Item 7 only

The meeting opened in public session at 2.03 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.

Mr Robinson declared an interest as a Member of the Enniskillen Association.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 15 December 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Update on £18bn Long-Term Investment Strategy

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing further information in relation to discussions concerning the interpretation of the £18bn long-term Investment Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request that it be informed of any outcomes.

Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 2.05 p.m.

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further information in relation to the development of the Equality Impact Assessment for the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Maze/Long Kesh Update Report

The Committee considered the latest update report for Maze/Long Kesh provided by the Department .

Mr Humphrey joined the meeting at 2.06 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request further information in relation to the outline Business Case for the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre Project and further details on the criteria being used for appointments to the Board of the Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation.

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.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request that it be kept informed on progress.

Child Poverty Strategy

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing information on the timetable and the consultation process for the Child Poverty Strategy.

Childcare Strategy

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing information in relation to the Childcare Strategy.

Update on Public Accounts Committee Recommendations

The Committee considered a response from the Department providing an update on the recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee in relation to public appointments.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the update to the Public Accounts Committee and the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

British Council Northern Ireland

The Committee noted correspondence from the British Council Northern Ireland providing information on projects it undertakes and a list of members of the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.

5. Correspondence

Committee for Finance and Personnel

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel concerning scrutiny of the Executive’s draft Budget 2011-2015.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to request an urgent briefing on the Department’s Budget proposals.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to request an extension to the deadline for responding to it with the Committee’s views on the Department’s Budget proposals.

The Committee considered a research paper provided by the Committee for Finance and Personnel on Resource DEL: administrative cost controls.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request information on its administrative and programme expenditure.

Mrs Kelly joined the meeting at 2.14 p.m.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing a link to its evidence session with the Special European Union Programmes Body.

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the Department and the subsequent response from the Department concerning its inquiry into renewable energy.

Committee for the Environment

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for the Environment requesting the Committee’s views on the Planning Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would bring back any comments they may have on relevant clauses to next week’s meeting.

Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety concerning issues raised by the Construction Employers Federation to the Department for comment.

Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to the First Minister and deputy First Minister concerning its review into the value and impact of museums in Northern Ireland.

Ms Anderson joined the meeting at 2.19 p.m.

Disability Action

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from Disability Action concerning European Social Funding to the Department for comment.

The European Commission Office in Belfast

The Committee noted an invitation from the Head of the European Commission Office in Belfast to attend a briefing on the Europe 2020 Strategy on Thursday 27 January.

Apprentice Boys of Derry Maiden City Festival Committee

The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the Apprentice Boys of Derry Maiden City Festival Committee concerning funding to the First Minister.

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

The Committee noted a copy of a research paper provided by the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development on rural development issues and challenges in Northern Ireland.

Minority Ethnic Development Fund 2011/12

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department advising of the call for applications for funding under the Minority Ethnic Development Fund 2011/12.

Committee for Standards and Privileges

The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the Committee for Standards and Privileges to the First Minister and deputy First Minister concerning the Pledge of Office.

Early Childhood Education and Care

The Committee noted a press release and a report on working for inclusion and how early childhood education and care and its workforce can help Europe’s youngest citizens..

6. Responses to the Consultation on Proposals to Update Legislation to Reform the Office of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints and the Deputy Ombudsman joined the meeting at 2.23 p.m.

Dr Farry joined the meeting at 3.08 p.m.

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints, Mr Tom Frawley CBE and Deputy Ombudsman, Mrs Marie Anderson briefed the Committee on their views on the responses to the consultation. A question and answer session followed.

The Northern Ireland Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints and the Deputy Ombudsman left the meeting at 3.14 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee Secretariat should prepare a paper highlighting the issues that arose in the consultation responses.

7. Armed Forces and Veterans Bill

The Committee received a briefing from the Assembly’s Research and Library Service on the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill.

Mr Robinson declared an interest as a Member of the Enniskillen Association.

Mr Bresland declared an interest as an ex-member of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Mr Elliott declared an interest as an ex-member of the Ulster Defence Regiment and as a member of the Royal British Legion.

Mr Kinahan declared an interest as an ex-serviceman.

Representatives from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland joined the meeting at 3.26 p.m.

The Chief Commissioner, Mr Bob Collins, the Chief Executive, Ms Evelyn Collins and the Director of Policy, Ms Lisa King from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland briefed the Committee on the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill in relation to equality. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland left the meeting at 3.55 p.m.

The Chairperson suggested that the Committee conduct its clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Bill at next week’s meeting and that any amendments proposed today be sent to Mr McNarry MLA for his consideration.

Mr Spratt proposed that the Committee progress the Bill in the way the Chairperson suggested.

The Committee divided: Ayes 7; Noes 3.

Ayes: Mr Bresland, Mr Elliott, Dr Farry, Mr Humphrey, Mr Kinahan, Mr Robinson and Mr Spratt.

Noes: Ms Anderson, Mrs Kelly and Mr Molloy

Agreed: The Committee will commence clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Bill at next week’s meeting and any proposals for amendments will be forwarded to Mr McNarry MLA for his consideration.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Mr McNarry MLA to request that he consider the wording in Clause 2 as this may be a source of concern for the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Mr McNarry MLA to advise that he may wish to take forward the proposed amendments from the Department for Finance and Personnel and the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 4.14 p.m.

8. Code of Practice: Provision and Use of Transport Vehicles

Representatives from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland joined the meeting at 4.15 p.m.

The Deputy Chairperson took the Chair at 4.15 p.m.

Mr Elliott left the meeting at 4.15 p.m.

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 4.16 p.m.

The Chief Commissioner, Mr Bob Collins, the Chief Executive, Ms Evelyn Collins and the Manager of Promotion and Education, Ms Deborah Howe from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland briefed the Committee on the Code of Practice: Provision and Use of Transport Vehicles. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland left the meeting at 4.26 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Omnibus Partnership to seek their views on the Code of Practice.

9. Any Other Business

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to request information on proposals to strengthen anti-discrimination legislation.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to postpone its meeting at ILEX and to schedule a briefing from the Chairman and the Chief Executive of ILEX on ongoing work.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 19 January 2011 at 2 p.m.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.31 p.m.

Dr Stephen Farry
Deputy Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

15 December 10  / Menu