MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, 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 Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Mr Chris Brown
Apologies:
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
The meeting opened at 2.06pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
Ms Gildernew joined the meeting at 2.07pm.
2. Chairperson's business
(a) Joint Committee on Human Rights, Westminster: The Chairperson informed members that the Joint Committee will not be able to come to Northern Ireland before Christmas and the meeting with the Committee of the Centre has therefore been postponed.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 2.08pm.
(b) The United Nations' Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict: Members were advised that the meeting with the Under Secretary General, Olara Otunnu, had been arranged for Tuesday, 18 December 2001 at 10.00am in Parliament Buildings and they should inform Committee office staff of their availability.
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
European Union Inquiry - Travel Arrangements: Members agreed to complete and return the pro-forma about the forthcoming visits to London, Edinburgh and Brussels as soon as possible. The members also agreed to liaise with Committee office staff about detailed travel arrangements.
Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence
(a) Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee Report on the Gypsy Traveller Civic Participation Event: The Committee noted that a copy of the report is available from Committee office staff.
(b) Letter from the Chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee in relation to the European Union Inquiry: Members noted the correspondence and agreed it should be considered further as part of the Committee's European Union Inquiry.
(c) MEP briefing on the Third Report from the Commission on Citizenship of the Union: Members noted the briefing.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.12pm.
6. SL1 - Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001
The Committee considered the SL1 and background information for the proposed Statutory Rule - Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001. Members noted and agreed the proposal.
Action: Clerk
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 2.16pm.
The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 2.17pm.
7. The Bill of Rights Consultation Document
Briefing by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
The session began at 2.18pm. The Committee was briefed on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document by Professor Brice Dickson, Chief Commissioner, Professor Tom Hadden, Commissioner, and Ms Rachel Rebouche, Researcher.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.29pm.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 3.06pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.26pm.
Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.29pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.45pm.
Mrs Bell left the meeting at 3.45pm.
8. EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II Measure 4.1)
The briefing session began at 3.47pm. Briefing on the criteria for project applications under Peace II Measure 4.1 'Outward and Forward Looking Region' was given by Mr Murray Cameron, Head of Division, Public Service Improvement Unit, Mrs Julie Mapstone, Grade 7, and Mr Kenny Knox, Deputy Principal, European Policy and Co-ordination Unit of OFMDFM.
The officials left the meeting at 4.12pm.
9. Committee response on the Bill of Rights Consultation Document
Members discussed issues to be included in their response on the proposals in the consultation document. It was agreed the Clerk would draft a paper for consideration by the Committee.
Action: Clerk
10. Any other business
Civic Forum: Members agreed that the Committee should be briefed by the Civic Forum on current issues and developments.
Action: Clerk
11. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 5 December 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.20pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
5 December 2001