COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In Attendance:Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies:Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
The meeting opened at 2.06pm in public session - Mr Gibson in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's Business
(a) Committee Approval: The Deputy Chairperson informed members of a recent request from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, about letters on the Extension to the Natural Gas Pipeline to the North West, which required the Committee's approval before onward transmission to OFMDFM. Members agreed that the correspondence should be passed to OFMDFM. Action: Clerk
(b) Plenary Session: The Deputy Chairperson informed members that a Plenary Session was provisionally planned for Wednesday, 4 July. The Committee agreed to meet at the normal time.
3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meetings on 20 June 2001 and 25 June 2001 were agreed and signed by the Deputy Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
Proposed agenda for the Washington element of the Committee visit to USA: Members considered the agenda for the Washington part of the Committee visit to the USA and agreed the issues covered by the programme. Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence
(a)Memo relating to proposed Seminar on Financial Processes for Assembly Committee Members and staff: Members noted the proposed seminar on Financial Processes and agreed to forward their responses to Committee office staff. Action: Clerk
(b)Response from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to the PSI Working Group on Travellers: The Committee noted the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland response to the PSI Working Group Report on Travellers.
(c)Correspondence from Enterprise, Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee regarding proposed Research, Development and Innovation Strategy (RDI) for Northern Ireland: Members noted the correspondence from the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, about a proposed Research, Development and Innovation Strategy, seeking the Committee's views. It was agreed the Clerk would forward a brief response to the ETI Committee. Action: Clerk
(d)Response from Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee regarding PSI Consultation on Future Priorities: The Committee considered a response from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee about the PSI Consultation on Future Priorities. It was agreed that the Clerk would collate all relevant points in a composite response for the Committee's consideration and approval. Action: Clerk
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.11pm.
(e) Letter from Department for Social Development regarding their Corporate Plan 2001-2004: Members noted that a copy of the Department for Social Development Corporate Plan for 2001 - 2004 was available from Committee office staff.
6. Single Equality Bill Consulatation Document
Evidence from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
The evidence session started at 2.14pm. Evidence on the Single Equality Bill Consultation Document was taken from Ms Deirdre Stewart, Assistant Director and Mr Pat Masterson, Chairperson of the Employment and Education Committee of the CBI.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.19pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.58pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 2.58pm.
Evidence from Age Concern Northern Ireland
The evidence session started at 2.59pm. Evidence on the Single Equality Bill Consultation Document was taken from Mr Tom Cairns, Director of Corporate Affairs and Dr David McConnell, Regional Co-ordinator of Age Concern Northern Ireland. It was agreed that they would forward additional information (Report, when available). Action: Clerk
Mr Ervine joined the meeting at 3.04pm.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 3.07pm.
Mr Cobain joined the meeting at 3.08pm.
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.10pm.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 3.33pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.33pm.
Consideration of the Committee's response to the Single Equality Bill Consultation Document
It was agreed that the Clerk will collate all relevant information and prepare a response for the Committee's consideration and approval.
7. Any other business
None.
8. Date and time of next meeting
The members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday, 4 July 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.35pm.
Oliver Gibson MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
4 July 2001