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

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Tom Elliott (Chairperson)
Dr Stephen Farry (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Martina Anderson
Mr Alan Bresland
Mr William Humphrey
Mrs Dolores Kelly
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)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)
Miss Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in public session at 2.06 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 23 February 2011

 Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 23 February 2011 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Public Appointments

The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further information in relation to who makes appointments which are unregulated.

Update on Maze/Long Kesh

The Committee noted a response from the Department providing an update on issues raised by the Committee in relation to the regeneration of the Maze/Long Kesh site.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.

Committee for Finance and Personnel

The Committee noted a response from the Committee for Finance and Personnel concerning the abolition of the Sustainable Development Commission.

Committee for Education

The Committee considered a response from the Committee for Education advising that it has forwarded the Committee’s correspondence concerning appointments to the South Eastern Education and Library Board to the Minister. The response also provided copies of correspondence it has had with the Minister of Education on this matter.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to request that they consider taking legal advice concerning the appointments to the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to seek its views on these appointments and if there are any equality issues in relation to this matter.

Secretary of State

The Committee noted a holding response from the Secretary of State’s office in relation to the Committee’s correspondence on “Dealing with the Past” advising that the Secretary of State will respond as soon as possible.

Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted a paper from the Department providing details of the current position and timing for Committee consideration of each outstanding issue.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan

The Committee considered a response from the Department advising that it would not be commenting on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan as it is an agreed Executive document.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for the Environment to advise that the Department would not be responding.

Child Poverty Strategy

The Chairperson advised Members that the laying of the Child Poverty Strategy in the Assembly would not lead to a debate on the Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would try to table a motion for a Take Note Debate on the Child Poverty Strategy, before the end of the mandate.

5. Correspondence

Post Project Evaluations

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing details of the Department’s outstanding Post Project Evaluations.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek further information on its outstanding Post Project Evaluations.

Legislative Consent Motion

The Committee considered correspondence from the Department providing further information on the Legislative Consent Motion for the Westminster Pensions Bill 2011, which is being led by the Minister for Social Development.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Social Development to advise that it is content with the Legislative Consent Motion.

6. Northern Ireland Assembly Commission’s Draft European Engagement Strategy

Mrs Kelly joined the meeting at 2.30 p.m.
Ms Anderson joined the meeting at 2.33 p.m.

Northern Ireland Assembly officials, Dr Gareth McGrath and Mr Stephen Graham briefed the Committee on the Assembly Commission’s draft European Engagement Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

Northern Ireland Assembly officials left the meeting at 3.25 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Commission to request that together the Commission and the Committee facilitate a round table meeting of Northern Ireland’s Representatives in Europe before the 22 March 2011. The Committee also made a recommendation to the Commission in relation to the appointment of an Assembly European officer.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a written briefing on the work of the Barroso Taskforce for next week’s meeting.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 3.36 p.m.

Mr Bresland left the meeting at 3.36 p.m.

7. Child Poverty Strategy

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department advising that officials are unable to brief the Committee on the Child Poverty Strategy as Ministers are still considering it.

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 3.38 p.m.

8. Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011

Agreed: The Committee considered the Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, in relation to tribunal reform and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.

9. Departments (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011

Agreed: The Committee considered the Departments (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, in relation to economic statistics and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.

10. Any Other Business

No other business.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30 on Wednesday 9 March 2011 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.40 p.m.

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

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