COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE

Present:
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Committee Clerk)
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)
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

The Committee expressed its sympathies on the recent tragic events in the USA.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's Business

The Deputy Chairperson reminded members that the Forward Work Programme will be considered at the meeting on 19 September 2001 commencing at 1.30 pm. It was agreed that the Junior Minister, Mr Dermot Nesbitt, should be invited to make a presentation on OFMDFM's future plans and priorities. If Mr Nesbitt was not available then Mr Gerry Loughran, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, should be asked to brief the Committee. It was also agreed that the meeting would be held in Public Session.

3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings

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

4. Matters arising

Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 2.18pm.

European Affairs Inquiry - Specialist Adviser: The Committee considered and discussed a paper clarifying the method, indicative costs and likely timescale for appointment of a Specialist Adviser to assist with the European Affairs Inquiry. Members agreed to proceed with the appointment along the lines detailed in the paper. Action: Clerk

5. Correspondence

1. Letter from OFMDFM about briefing on the European Commission Proposals: Members noted a letter from OFMDFM about briefing on the European Commission Proposals and that the handling of these papers will be considered during the planning meeting. It was agreed that, in the meantime, the papers should be copied to the relevant Statutory Committee. Action: Clerk
2. Response from the CBI NI to the OFMDFM Consultation On A Single Equality Bill for Northern Ireland: The members noted a response from the CBI NI to the OFMDFM Consultation on a Single Equality Bill for Northern Ireland.
3. Response from the Evangelical Alliance to the OFMDFM consultation on Promoting Social Inclusion: The Committee noted a response from the Evangelical Alliance to the OFMDFM Consultation on Promoting Social Inclusion.

6. Subordinate Legislation - Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Mrs Patricia McAuley and Mrs Roberta Mercer from the Anti Discrimination Unit in OFMDFM joined the meeting at 2.23pm.

The Committee considered the Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 Statutory Rule and report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules. A number of issues were clarified by the officials. It was agreed that they would forward additional information on equivalent ROI legislation. Action: Clerk

The officials left the meeting at 2.37pm.

Agreed: That the Committee of the Centre has considered the Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objections to the Rule.

7. Subordinate Legislation - Salaries (Assembly Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001

The Committee considered the Salaries (Assembly Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 Statutory Rule and report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

Agreed: That the Committee of the Centre has considered the Salaries (Assembly Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objections to the Rule.

8. OFMDFM Consultation on a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland

The evidence session started at 2.43pm. Evidence on the OFMDFM consultation on a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland was taken from Mr Chris Stewart, Head of the Human Rights Unit of OFMDFM and Ms Nicola Drennan, member of the Human Rights Unit of OFMDFM.

The Committee considered the issues raised in the consultation document and agreed that the Clerk would prepare a response to OFMDFM to be cleared by the Chairperson. Action: Clerk

September Monitoring Round: Members raised the issue of the September monitoring round. It was agreed that OFMDFM should be requested to provide information on the current position. Action: Clerk

The members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 19 September 2001 at the earlier time of 1.30pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.