COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE

Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon 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
Mr Chris Brown
Mr Hugh Widdis (Researcher)

Apologies:
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's business

None.

3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings

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

4. Matters arising

Response on the draft 2002-03 Budget and Programme for Government:

Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 2.08pm.

Dr Birnie joined the meeting at 2.08pm.

Members considered and discussed the responses. The Committee agreed the Programme for Government response and the draft response on the 2002-03 Budget was agreed subject to minor amendments. Action: Clerk

Letter to Acting First Minister and Acting Deputy First Minister: The Committee considered and agreed a letter outlining a number of concerns the members had about the discussions with the Junior Ministers at the meeting of 3 October 2001. Action: Clerk

5. Correspondence

1. Response from Committee for Finance and Personnel to the OFMDFM Consultation on a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland: Members noted the response and agreed it should be forwarded on to OFMDFM. Action: Clerk
2. Letter from OFMDFM acknowledging the Committee's response to the Consultation on a Commissioner for Children for Northern Ireland: Members noted the letter from OFMDFM and also that the Junior Ministers announced a review of the composition of the Non Government Organisation (NGO) Forum.
3. Chairpersons' Liaison Group :

Mr Murphy joined the meeting at 2.11pm.

The Committee considered correspondence about the future role and purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group. It was agreed that an update on the issues considered by the Group should be sought from the Principal Clerk of Committees. Action: Clerk

4. Letter from OFMDFM about the Central Emergency Planning Unit: Members noted the letter about the draft 'Guide to Evacuation in Northern Ireland' and also an update on the work of the Central Emergency Planning Unit. It was agreed the Clerk will provide a paper on the draft 'Guide' for the Committee's consideration at a future meeting. Action: Clerk

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 2.14pm.

6. Review of Community Relations Policy

The evidence session began at 2.15pm. Evidence on the Review of Community Relations Policy was taken from Dr Jeremy Harbison, Director of the Community Relations Policy Team, Mrs Mary Bunting, Head of Equality and Community Relations, and Mr Stephen Hill, Deputy Principal of the Human Rights Unit. Further information on the breakdown of expenditure incurred on Community Relations work and projects will be sent to the Committee. Action: Clerk

Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 2.29pm.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.40pm.
Mr Murphy left the meeting at 3.03pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.20pm.

7. Response to the Ad Hoc Committee Criminal Injuries Compensation (NI) Order 2001

Members considered and debated papers on the proposals in the draft Criminal Injuries Compensation (NI) Order 2001. The Researcher answered members' questions about the proposed Scheme.

Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.47pm.
Mrs Courtney left the meeting at 3.47pm.
Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.48pm.
Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 3.52pm.

It was agreed the Clerk would respond to the Ad Hoc Committee - Criminal Injuries Compensation highlighting the issues and concerns raised by members. Action: Clerk

Mr Maskey left the meeting at 4.02pm.

8. Any other business

Scotland Future of Europe Conference: Members noted the Clerk's paper providing a résumé of the conference.

9. Date and time of next meeting

10. The members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 17 October 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

    The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.04pm.

    Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
    Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
    17 October 2001