COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2001
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Edwin Poots (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr
Mrs Eileen Bell
Dr Esmond Birnie
Mrs Annie Courtney
Mr David Ervine
Mr Alex Maskey
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
In Attendance: Mrs Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies: Mr Fred Cobain
Ms Michelle Gildernew
Mr James Leslie
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Eugene McMenamin
Mr Conor Murphy
Mr Ken Robinson
Mr Jim Shannon
The meeting opened at 10.05am in public session.
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Apologies
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Chairperson's welcome
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Discussion on Children's Issues
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Any other business
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Date and time of next meeting
Apologies are listed above.
The Chairperson opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr Olara Otunnu. In addition he welcomed Ms Ilene Cohn, Programme Officer from Mr Otunnu's office, Mr Mike Aaronson, Director General of Save the Children, Ms Mary Cunningham, Director of ChildCare NI and Chair of the children's NGO Forum, and Ms Marie Smyth, Chief Executive of the Institute of Conflict Research.
The Chairperson outlined the format for the meeting and this included short presentations by Mr Otunnu and the Chairperson followed by an open discussion.
Mr Otunnu's presentation started at 10.07am. The Under Secretary General briefed the Committee on his role, mandate and objectives for visiting Northern Ireland. He stated he was interested in the Committee's work and in particular its involvement in the establishment of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland. The Under Secretary General stressed the importance of the Children's Commissioner being independent of the Executive and being accountable to the Legislature. He emphasised his support for the work of the Committee and offered congratulations on progress to date.
Mr Poots' presentation started at 10.15am. The Chairperson briefed Mr Otunnu and the others on the role and work of the Committee. This included equality and human rights issues, European affairs, international matters, community relations, victims' and women's' issues. He provided an update on the Committee's work in relation to children's issues, victims and community relations.
Mrs Courtney left the meeting at 10.16am.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.20am.
An open discussion then followed.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 10.47am.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Otunnu and the other representatives for the presentation and very useful exchange of views.
None.
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 9 January 2002, at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.04am.
Councillor Edwin Poots
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
9 January 2002