Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Ms Imelda McAuley, Assembly's Legal Adviser

Apologies:
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's business

1. EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation: The Chairperson reminded members that a Public Information Seminar on the criteria for projects in relation to Funding under Peace II Measure 4.1 'Outward and Forward Looking Region' would be held on Thursday, 15 November 2001 at the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown. Any member wishing to attend should contact Committee office staff.

3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings

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

4. Matters arising

1. Papers on 'Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People' - NI Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force: The Committee considered the Principal Clerk's and Researcher's papers on the consultation document. It was agreed to invite the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Disability Action and OFMDFM officials to give evidence to the Committee on 5 and 12 December 2001. It was also agreed that the Researcher's paper should be placed on the Intranet. Action: Clerk
2. Papers on the Draft Guide to Evacuation in Northern Ireland and its Equality Impact Assessment: Members considered the Principal Clerk's and Researcher's papers on the draft Guide and its Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). The Committee noted that the draft Guide is more detailed than other similar documents. The Committee considered this should be beneficial to partnership and co-ordination and welcomed the comprehensive and clear approach taken by OFMDFM's Central Emergency Planning Unit to the EIA. Action: Clerk

1. Letter from OFMDFM providing an update on the Work of the Victims Unit and the Deloitte and Touche research document - summary report: Members considered the correspondence and agreed to revisit this issue, in particular the list of action points, whenever OFMDFM has analysed the results of the consultation on the Victims' Strategy. Action: Clerk
2. Letter from OFMDFM about the Committee's response on the Draft Budget for 2002-03: The Committee noted the response from OFMDFM. Members agreed that continued pressure should be applied to deliver funding for the Children's Commissioner, Review of Public Administration and the cross-departmental strategy for the provision of community relations. Action: Clerk
3. Letter from OFMDFM about the Committee's response on the Draft Programme for Government 2002-03: Members noted the correspondence.
4. Joint Committee on Human Rights, Westminster: Members considered the letter from the Joint Committee seeking a meeting in Belfast before Christmas. The Committee agreed a preferred date of Wednesday, 12 December 2001, at 12.30pm. Action: Clerk

6. Bill of Rights Consultation Document

I Evidence from the Human Rights and Equality Centre, University of Ulster

The evidence session began at 2.23pm. Evidence on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document was taken from Mr Ciaran White, Acting Director.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.25pm.

Mrs Courtney joined the meeting at 2.34pm.

Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.13pm.

Mr White left the meeting at 3.26pm.

CLOSED SESSION - 3.27pm

II Briefing from the Assembly's Legal Adviser

The Assembly's Legal Adviser joined the meeting at 3.28pm.

Members were briefed on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document by the Assembly's Legal Adviser.

Mrs Bell left the meeting at 3.35pm.

The Assembly's Legal Adviser left the meeting at 4.19pm.

PUBLIC SESSION 4.20pm.

Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 4.21pm.

7. SL1 - Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations

The Committee considered the SL1 and background information for the proposed Statutory Rule - Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations. Members agreed to respond to OFMDFM stating that, before the Committee agreed to the proposal, employers should be consulted and the additional cost to employers, in re-classifying employees, should be determined. Action: Clerk

8. Any other business

1. INCORE Symposium at University of Ulster at Magee College: Members noted the Clerk's paper.
2. Meeting with the Equal Opportunities Committee, Scottish Parliament: A summary of the meeting was noted by members.

9. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 21 November 2001 at the earlier time of 1.30pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.24pm.

Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
21 November 2001