COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 4 April 2001
GREAT HALL, MAGEE COLLEGE, LONDONDERRY
Present: Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Mrs Annie Courtney
Mr James Leslie
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Conor Murphy
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Mr Tim Moore
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies: Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Esmond Birnie
Mr Fred Cobain
Mr David Ervine
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Ken Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon
The meeting opened at 2.05pm in public session.
1. Apologies
The apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
None.
3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
Items were taken under any other business.
5. Correspondence
- Children's Law Centre Conference - 'Bringing Rights Home for Children': Members noted a proposed conference organised by the Children's Law Centre. It was agreed that anyone wishing to attend the conference would contact Committee staff.
- Terms of Reference of two (2) Inquiries by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee: Members noted the Terms of Reference of two Inquiries being undertaken by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. The Committee agreed that if the Inquiries revealed any issues specific to the Committee of the Centre, comments would be given at the appropriate stage.
- Response from the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee on the Children's Commissioner Inquiry: The Committee noted the written submission from the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee.
- Response from the Regional Development Committee on the Children's Commissioner Inquiry: Members noted the response from the Regional Development Committee.
- Response from the Environment Committee on the Children's Commissioner Inquiry: Members noted the response from the Environment Committee.
- Electronic Conveyancing Consultation Paper: The Committee noted a consultation paper on an order to introduce electronic conveyancing in England and Wales. The paper indicates that the proposals are likely to benefit consumers and businesses.
6. Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland Inquiry
I Evidence from Western Young People's Steering Group
The evidence session started at 2.09pm. Evidence on young people's perspectives and views on the role and remit of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland was taken from Mr Mal Caldwell, Miss Nicola Clifford, Mr Michael Harrigan, Miss Helena McAuley, Miss Emma McCaffrey, Miss Fiona Mullin, Miss Geraldine Murphy, Miss Wendy O'Shea, Miss Nicola Rodgers, Miss Eileen Welch, and Ms Stieneke Willis from the Western Young People's Steering Group.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 2.23pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.14pm.
II Evidence from Derry Children's Commission
The evidence session started at 3.15pm. Evidence on the different aspects of a possible role and remit of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland was taken from Mr John Meehan, Chairperson, Ms Carmel Mulrine, Co-ordinator, Ms Ann Elliott, Ms Goretti Horgan and Mr Eamon McTernan, members from the Derry Children's Commissioner.
The representatives left the meeting at 4.03pm.
7. Any other business
- Response to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Consultation: The members agreed their response on the consultation document.
- Visit by members to Washington and Boston on 10 June 2001: As the Local and General Elections have been moved to 7 June 2001 members agreed to postpone the visit until Autumn 2001.
8. Date and time of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be on Wednesday, 25 April 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.08pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
25 April 2001
28 March 2001 / Menu / 25 April 2001