MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Mr Chris Brown
Ms Eileen Regan, Assembly Researcher

Apologies:
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie 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. Invitation for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to appear before the Committee: The Chairperson explained that the OFMDFM Economic Policy Unit's EU framework document would not be available until January 2002. That being the case, members agreed to invite OFMDFM officials to brief the Committee about current developments on EU matters on 5 December 2001 and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister will be invited to brief the Committee on the EU framework document on 6 February 2002. Action: Clerk
2. Draft Guide to Evacuation: The Committee agreed that the research paper on the draft Guide to Evacuation will be placed on the Assembly's Intranet site. Action: Clerk
3. The United Nations' Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict: Members considered a request, on behalf of the Under Secretary General, Olara Otunnu, to meet with the Committee. The committee agreed to meet with the United Nations' Special Representative week commencing 17 December 2001. 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

1. EU Inquiry - Visits to London, Edinburgh and Brussels: Members considered and agreed the Committee visits and meetings with the two Westminster European Committees in London, the Scottish MEPs in Edinburgh and the Northern Ireland MEPs and others in Brussels. Action: Clerk

5. Bill of Rights Consultation Document

I Briefing from the Assembly Researcher

The Assembly Researcher joined the meeting at 1.48pm. Members were given a comparative legislative briefing on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document by the Assembly Researcher.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 1.49pm.

Mr Murphy joined the meeting at 2.03pm.

Mrs Courtney left the meeting at 2.09pm.

Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.15pm.

The Assembly Researcher left the meeting at 2.16pm.

II Evidence from the Human Rights Centre, Queen's University of Belfast

The evidence session began at 2.17pm. Evidence on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document was taken from Professor Stephen Livingstone, Head of the School of Law.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.18pm.

Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.20pm.

Professor Livingstone left the meeting at 3.07pm.

The Committee agreed to draw the Bill of Rights Consultation Document to the attention of the Statutory Committees. Action: Clerk

6. European Union Inquiry

The Specialist Adviser, assisted by Professor James Mitchell, joined the meeting at 3.14pm. Members considered a paper from the Specialist Adviser setting out main issues such as:

• UK - EU Policy;
• The impact of the EU on regions; and
• Relationships.

The Specialist Adviser and Professor Mitchell developed these issues and answered members' questions.

Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.35pm.

Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.42pm.

The Specialist Adviser and Professor Mitchell left the meeting at 3.47pm.

7. Correspondence

1. Letter and enclosure from the Committee for Employment and Learning about the TUPE Regulations consultation document: The members considered the correspondence and Principal Clerk's paper and agreed to respond to the Committee for Employment and Learning outlining that they were content that it should take the lead in this matter. Action: Clerk
2. Letter and enclosure from Committee for Finance and Personnel about Executive Programme Funds for Children - Consultation: The Committee considered the correspondence and agreed the Assembly Research and Library Services should be requested to provide a paper on relevant issues. Members also agreed to request a written submission, on the Consultation, from the Children's Forum NGO and NICVA. Action: Clerk
3. Letter from Committee for Finance and Personnel about the Northern Ireland Civil Service Accommodation Review: Members considered the correspondence and agreed to revisit this issue whenever the Interim Report becomes available. Action: Clerk
4. Scottish Parliament's European Committee preparation for January 1 Euro Launch: Members noted the press release and agreed a copy should be sent to the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee and OFMDFM's Economic Policy Unit. Action: Clerk
5. European Scrutiny Committee, House of Commons' report on the Convention to prepare for the 2004 EU Inter-Governmental Conference: The Committee noted the press release.
6. Chairpersons' Liaison Group meetings: Members noted the Clerk's paper outlining issues considered at Chairpersons' Liaison Group meetings.

8. Any other business

1. EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation: Members were informed that the draft criteria for applications under Peace II Measure 4.1 'Outward and Forward Looking Region' had been approved and they agreed that OFMDFM officials should be invited to brief the Committee about the criteria on 28 November 2001. Action: Clerk

9. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 28 November 2001 at the normal time of 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.56pm.

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