Committee of the Centre
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 25 April 2001
Room 144, parliament buildings

Present: Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Esmond Birnie
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Ken Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon

In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts

Apologies: Mr Fred Cobain
Mrs Annie Courtney
Mr David Ervine
Mr James Leslie
Dr Alasdair McDonnell

The apologies are listed above.

(a) Visit by Western Young People's Steering Group to the Assembly: Members noted that the Western Young People's Steering Group have been invited to attend the meeting of 11 May 2001 as the Norwegian Children's Ombudsman will give evidence to the Committee on that date. The young people will be provided with lunch and Members were advised there would be an opportunity to meet in a more informal atmosphere. Action: Clerk

(b) Visit by Members to Washington and Boston: It is proposed that the Committee visit to USA will take place either week commencing 16 or 23 September 2001. Members agreed to indicate their availability to Committee office staff by 30 April 2001 so that accommodation can be provisionally reserved. Action: Clerk

The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Deputy Chairperson.

None.

1. Responses from Assembly Committees on the Children's Commissioner Inquiry: Members noted the responses from the Committee on Procedures, the Higher and Further Education, Training and employment Committee and the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee.
2. Terms of Reference of an Inquiry by the Regional Development Committee: Members noted the Terms of Reference of an Inquiry being undertaken by the Regional Development Committee into Belfast Harbour Commissioners' Titanic Quarter Leases.
3. Response from OFMDFM regarding Equality Proofing UK Wide Legislation: The Committee noted the response from OFMDFM about arrangements for Equality Proofing UK Wide Legislation.
4. Letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding 2002/03 Financial Year: Members noted the letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel about Departmental Bids for the 2002/03 Financial Year.
5. Response from OFMDFM regarding Corporate and Business Plans: The Members noted the response from OFMDFM about the Committee's comments on OFMDFM's Draft Corporate and Business Plans.
6. Membership of the Northern Ireland Women's European Platform: Details of the membership of the Northern Ireland Women's European Platform were noted by the Committee.
7. Letter from OFMDFM enclosing an SL1 relating to the Proposed Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (NI) 2001: Members noted the letter from OFMDFM about an SL1 relating to the Proposed Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (NI) 2001. It was agreed to invite officials from OFMDFM to brief the Committee on the document and it will be copied to other Committees for their comments. Action: Clerk

The Committee considered and discussed the Draft Work Programme. As the forthcoming Local and General Elections may affect Members' availability it was agreed that the proposed meeting of 6 June 2001 should be moved to Tuesday morning 5 June 2001. Members also agreed to invite officials from OFMDFM to brief the Committee on the consultation Document on the Single Equality Bill. Finally, in view of the expected heavy workload over the next two months the visit to Sx3 should be deferred until autumn.

Members were reminded that the Children's Law Centre will be holding a Conference 'Bringing Rights Home for Children' on Thursday, 10 May 2001 in Malone House, Belfast. Costs of any Member who wishes to attend the conference will be met by the Committee and Committee office staff will make the necessary arrangements. Action: Clerk

The evidence session started at 2.22pm. Evidence on the various aspects of the role and remit of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland was taken from Ms Alyson Dunn, Chairperson, Ms Helen Eagleson, Member, and Ms Liz Millin, Member of BASW (NI).

The evidence session started at 3.14pm. Evidence on the legal issues and the different aspects of a possible role and remit of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland was taken from Ms Mary Connolly, Chairperson, Mr Ronnie Williamson, Executive Director, and Mr Stephen Knox, Member of the NIGALA and Ms Catherine Dixon and Mr John Meehan of The Law Society of Northern Ireland.

The evidence session started at 4.16pm. Evidence on the PSI Working Group on Travellers Consultation Document was taken from Ms Maggie Smith and Mr Jeff Ard of the Equality and Social Need Division. The Committee was dissatisfied with the evidence provided and specifically requested that other representatives of the PSI Working Group be invited to brief Members on the document and consultation process. The Committee also requested that OFMDFM extend the consultation period to allow a full and considered response. Action: Clerk

1. Private Members Bill: The Committee noted that a Private Members Bill dealing with a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland was scheduled for its first reading in the Assembly week commencing 30 April 2001. Members agreed to write to The Speaker about the implications of this Bill on the Inquiry currently being undertaken by the Committee. Action: Clerk

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be on Wednesday, 2 May 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.