Present: Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Dr Esmond Birnie
Mrs Annie Courtney
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Dr Alasdair McDonnell

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

Apologies: Mrs Eileen Bell
Mr James Leslie
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Jim Shannon

The meeting opened at 2.09pm in public session.
Dr Birnie joined the meeting at 2.10pm.

Apologies are listed above.

Declaration of Interests: The Chairperson informed the Committee that, following the recent Westminster and Local Government elections, members should declare any new interests they have in accordance with paragraph 48 of the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members. None were declared.

Report on the Children's Commissioner Inquiry: Members noted that their inquiry report into the proposal for a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland is scheduled for debate in the Assembly on Tuesday, 26 June 2001.

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

None.

1. Letter from OFMDFM regarding Assessment of Services to Victims of the Troubles: Members noted the letter from OFMDFM about the Assessment of Services to Victims of the Troubles commissioning consultants to undertake an external evaluation and to report by July 2001. The Clerk will provide members with a copy of the report when it is completed. Action: Clerk
2. Reply from OFMDFM regarding funding for Victims Issues: The members noted the response, to questions raised by the Committee, from OFMDFM about the allocation of funding for victims issues. The Committee also noted a recent press release about the distribution of this funding.
3. Letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding Budget Timetable:

Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 2.15pm.

The Committee noted a letter from the Committee of Finance and Personnel about the Budget Timetable for 2002/03 and consideration of departmental spending plans. Members noted that OFMDFM had been asked to provide details of their budget proposals and that the First Minister and Deputy First Minister were invited to discuss Budget Proposals for 2002/03. This is likely to be on 27 June 2001.

4. Reply from OFMDFM regarding Review of Public Administration: Members considered a holding reply from OFMDFM about the proposal for a Review of Public Administration. The Committee agreed OFMDFM should be requested to provide an indication of the likely themes and issues which will be included as part of the review. Action: Clerk

The presentation started at 2.18pm. Mr Tim Moore, Assembly Research and Library Service provided a brief presentation on the background and outline of the PSI Consultation on Future Priorities. This included information on a limited number of groups which may be the focus for PSI in the future.

Evidence on the PSI Consultation on Future Priorities was taken from Ms Maggie Smith, Head of Equality and Social Need Division and Mr Michael Woods, member of Promoting Social Inclusion from OFMDFM.

The Committee considered the Departments (Transfer of Functions) (NI) Order 2001 Statutory Rule and report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules. A number of issues were clarified by Ms Linda Devlin, Head of Machinery of Government Division and Mr Trevor Rea, Legislation Progress Unit.

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee of the Centre has considered the Statutory Rule 2001 No 229 - Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.

Members considered the schedule for the USA visit and also preparation and arrangements for travelling.

Agreed, the focus and issues covered by the schedule.

Agreed, the preferred flights would be Option 1 - Economy Class.

Agreed, the Clerk will explore the possibility of early flight arrangements for some members.

Agreed, the initial information form issued to members for the J1 Visa be returned to the Committee office urgently.

The evidence session started at 3.52pm. Evidence on the Single Equality Bill Consultation Document was taken from Mrs Joan Harbison, Chief Commissioner, Professor Stephen Livingstone, Commissioner, Ms Ann Hope, Commissioner, Ms Petra Shields, Legal Director and Mr George Kirkpatrick, Deputy Legal Director, of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

None.

The members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, 20 June 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.