COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Mrs Eileen Bell
Mrs Annie Courtney
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Conor Murphy
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance: Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies:Dr Esmond Birnie
Mr David Ervine
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Mr James Leslie
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Ken Robinson
The meeting opened at 2.06 pm in public session.
Mr Murphy joined the meeting at 2.07pm.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
(a) The Chairperson informed members that Mr Trond Waage had given evidence to the Committee on his experience as the Children's Ombudsman in Norway, and it was agreed that the Hansard transcript should be distributed to all members. A video of the evidence session is available from the Committee staff.
(b) The Chairperson informed members of his meeting with Ms Karen Gillon, MSP, Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee in Scotland, on the issue of a Children's Commissioner.
(c) On 15 May 2001 the Committee for Finance and Personnel forwarded copies of the 2001-02 Main Estimates for members response by 25 May. The members considered that they had not been given sufficient time for a full response and that the Clerk should forward the concerns of the members to the Committee for Finance and Personnel. Action:Clerk
Mrs Courtney joined the meeting at 2.10pm.
3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
(a) Review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council & the provision of Independent Economic Advice & Research: The Committee considered the draft response on the Review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and the provision of Independent Economic Advice and agreed that the Clerk should forward the response to OFMDFM. Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence
(a) Summary Report: 'Advocacy for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland' provided by First Key (NI): The Committee noted the Summary Report: 'Advocacy for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland' provided by First Key (NI).
(b) Business Committee reply regarding the Children's Commissioner Bill: The members noted the reply from the Lord Alderdice, Chairperson of the Business Committee regarding the Children's Commissioner Bill.
(c) OFMDFM Press Release and letter regarding the Single Equality Bill: The Committee noted the OFMDFM Press Release and letter regarding the Single Equality Bill.
(d) New PSI Consultations document from OFMDFM: The members agreed that officials from OFMDFM should be invited to brief the Committee on the New PSI Consultation document. It was also agreed that, as the consultation document had been issued by OFMDFM to all Assembly Committees, the responses from the Committees should be forwarded to OFMDFM through the Committee of the Centre. Action: Clerk
(e) Responses from Regional Development, Education, Environment, Culture, Arts and Leisure and Higher & Further Education, Training & Employment Committees on Proposed Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (NI) 2001: The Committee noted the responses from the Regional Development, Education, Environment, Culture, Arts and Leisure, Agriculture and Rural Development and Higher & Further Education, Training & Employment Committees.
6. PSI Working Group on Travellers Consultation document
The evidence session started at 2.23pm. Evidence on the PSI Working Group on Travellers Consultation was taken from Mr Mark Donahue and Mr Paul Noonan from the Belfast Travellers' Education and Development Group, and Ms Pauline Leeson and Mr David Simpson from the Travellers Movement (NI).
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.38pm.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.39pm.
Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 2.40pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.17pm.
Mr Murphy left the meeting at 3.17pm.
The Committee agreed that the Clerk would draw up a draft response to the consultation for consideration by members at the next meeting. Action: Clerk
7. Presentation on Public Appointments
The evidence session started at 3.18pm. The Committee took evidence from Dame Rennie Fritchie, Commissioner for Public Appointments on the public appointments processes and procedures which fall within her remit.
Dame Rennie agreed to forward further information on the number of appointments of a political nature in England, Scotland and Wales. Action: Clerk
Mrs Courtney left the meeting at 3.45pm.
Mrs Bell left the meeting at 3.49pm.
Mr McMenemin left the meeting at 3.50pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.59pm.
The Commissioner left the meeting at 4.01pm.
8. Evidence on SL1 - Departments (Transfer of Functions) (NI) Order 2001
The evidence session started at 4.02pm. Evidence on the SL1 - Departments (Transfer of Functions) (NI) Order 2001 was taken from Mrs Dorothy Angus, Ms Linda Devlin, Ms Rosalie Flanagan, and Mr Chris Stewart from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and Mr David Small from Department of Environment.
Mr Stewart agreed to inform the Committee if the opinion of the Equality Commission was sought on whether the proposed Order should be subjected to an Equality Impact Assessment. Action: Clerk
The Chairperson informed the officials that further issues had been raised by this and other Committees and that these would be forwarded for a written response. Action: Clerk
The officials left the meeting at 4.17pm.
9. Any other business
None.
10. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 23 May 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at4.18pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
16 May 2001