Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin 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

Apologies:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's business

1. EU-UK Liaison Group Meeting: The Chairperson explained that he and the Deputy Chairperson will be attending the third European Union Liaison Group - Chairpersons' meeting in Brussels on Monday, 29 October 2001. Members will be advised of the outcomes in due course. Action: Clerk
2. Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee: The Committee agreed to meet the Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee on Tuesday, 6 November 2001 at 11.30am in Parliament Buildings. Action: Clerk
3. Review of NI Economic Council and NI Economic Research Centre: Members agreed to request an update on the review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre from OFMDFM for onward transmission to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Action: Clerk

3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings

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

4. Matters arising

None.

5. Correspondence

1. Letter from NIO Victims Liaison Unit refusing to send officials to give evidence to the Committee:

Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 2.07pm.

Members noted the letter and also Cabinet Office guidance about 'Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the Devolved Legislatures'. The Committee agreed to write to Mr Des Browne, NIO Minister for Victims, expressing disappointment and asking that the request for officials to attend the meeting on 24 October 2001 be re-considered. Action: Clerk

2. Memo and press article about the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament's Report into EU Directive on consulting workers:

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.10pm.

Members noted the correspondence and agreed the Report should be copied to the relevant Committee(s). Action: Clerk

3. Letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning regarding Proposals forwarded by the Department of Trade and Industry in GB on the Employment Tribunal System: The Committee noted the correspondence. Action: Clerk

6. Review of Community Relations Policy

Mrs Bell stated she wished to be disassociated with some of the Chairperson's comments in the Press Notice for the meeting.

The evidence session began at 2.11pm. Evidence on the Review of Community Relations Policy was taken from Dr Jonathan Bardon, Chairman, and Mr Will Glendinning, Chief Executive, of the Community Relations Council.

Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.25pm.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.31pm.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.56pm.

Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.06pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.22pm.
Mrs Bell left the meeting at 3.22pm
The Chairperson left the meeting at 3.22pm - Mr Gibson, Deputy Chairperson, in the Chair.

7. Committee Response to the Review of Community Relations Policy

Members considered their response on the proposals in the Working Paper on the Review of Community Relations Policy.

A draft composite reply for the members to agree at the next meeting would be prepared. Action: Clerk

8. European Union Inquiry - Commencement of Inquiry

Members noted that the Chairperson and some Committee staff had held an initial meeting with the Specialist Adviser for the European Union Inquiry.

Members agreed: - the commencement of the European Union Inquiry should be officially announced by Public Notice;

• the Public Notice should be placed in the Belfast Telegraph, Newsletter, and Irish News;
• the closing date for responses should be 21 January 2002.

The Committee re-considered the European Union Inquiry Terms of Reference and agreed the following:

"An evaluation of the effectiveness of the current approach of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive in their engagement with institutions of the European Union"

9. Any other business

None.

10. Date and time of next meeting

The members agreed that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 24 October 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.40pm.

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