COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2000.
THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.
1. Chairperson's Business
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of proceedings, Wednesday 13 September 2000
4. Matters arising from minutes
5. Briefing on the Equality Commission (Time Limits) Regulations
6. Evidence from First Minister & Deputy First Minister
7. Summary of Evidence Session and Action Points
8. Equality Commission (Time Limits) Regulations
9. Any Other Business
10. Date and time of next meeting
Present: Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr P J Bradley MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In Attendance: Dr Andrew Peoples (Committee Clerk)
Mr Damien McVeigh (Committee Assistant)
Mr Jim Nulty (Committee for the Environment)
Mr Hugh Widdis (Assembly Research and Library Services)
Apologies: Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Meeting commenced at 10.30am in closed session
1. Chairperson's Business
The Chairperson informed members that Mr Conor Murphy was replacing Mr McLaughlin on the Committee.
2. Apologies
Apologies listed above.
3. Minutes of proceedings, Wednesday 13 September 2000
The minutes of proceedings for Wednesday 13 September 2000 were agreed.
4. Matters arising from minutes, Wednesday 13 September 2000
The Chairperson outlined the Committee's recommendations on the Central Emergency Planning Unit. Mr Ervine noted that one point was not clear and that it should be re-worded. Action: Clerk.
10.36am Mr Shannon left the meeting.
10.39am Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting.
10.40am the Chairperson declared the meeting open.
5. Briefing on the Equality Commission (Time Limits) Regulations
Mr Widdis briefed members on the content of the regulations.
10.55am the Chairperson suspended the meeting for 5 minutes.
11.00am the Chairperson reconvened the meeting.
6. Evidence from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Evidence on the current and future work of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister was taken from the First Minister, David Trimble and the Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon.
11.36am Mr Maskey left the meeting.
11.56am Dr Birnie left the meeting.
7. Summary of evidence session and action points.
The Committee agreed that it should request a written brief outlining the remit of the Gender Policy Unit within the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Action: Clerk.
12.04pm Mr Ervine, Mr Gibson, Mr Bradley and Mr Shannon left the meeting.
12.06pm Dr McDonnell left the meeting.
12.08pm Mr Gibson rejoined the meeting.
8. The Equality Commission (Time Limits) Regulations
The Committee reviewed the proposals set out in the consultation document with advice from Mr Widdis. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should compile the views of the Committee in the form of the questionnaire and seek further information. Action: Clerk.
12.13pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting.
9. Any other business
The Chairperson brought to the attention a letter received from the Committee on Procedures regarding the Committees position in respect of dealing with legislation from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Mr Murphy declared his concern about contributing to debate given that he was also Chair of the Committee on Procedures. The Committee agreed that it should have the opportunity to be able to deal with relevant legislation.
Mr Beggs raised the issue of public meetings. It was agreed that this area would be re-visited at a later date.
10. Date and time of next meeting
Agreed that the Committee would meet on Wednesday 27 September 2000 at 2.30pm in room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson concluded the meeting at 12.47pm.
Mr Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
27 September 2000
13 September 2000 / Menu / 27 September 2000