MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2002
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
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)
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Laurie Roberts
Apologies:
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
The meeting opened at 2.05pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's business
Meeting with the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Westminster: The Chairperson informed members that the Joint Committee is now planning to visit Northern Ireland on
Thursday, 7 February 2002. Members agreed to meet the Joint Committee during lunchtime on 7 February 2002.
Action: Clerk
Standing Order 48: The Committee considered a potential difficulty with Standing Order 48 in relation to procedures to be followed where legislation or other subject matter due for consideration appears to fall within the remit of more than one Statutory Committee. The Principal Clerk raised this issue with the Clerk to the Procedures Committee and the Chairperson informed members that the Procedures Committee intended to seek the approval of the Assembly to amend the Standing Order to extend its provisions to the Committee of the Centre. Members agreed to request formally an amendment to the Standing Order.
Action: Clerk
3. Approval of draft minutes from previous proceedings
The minutes from the previous meetings on 12 and 18 December 2001 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
Draft Service Delivery Agreement from OFMDFM:
Mr McMenamin joined the meeting at 2.09pm.
Members considered and discussed the Principal Clerk's paper and correspondence about the OFMDFM draft Service Delivery Agreement. The Committee agreed to raise the issues, highlighted in the Principal Clerk's paper, with OFMDFM.
Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence
(a) Press Release from OFMDFM about the publication of the report 'Barriers to Accessing Essential Services': The Committee noted the press release and also that a copy of the report is available from Committee office staff.
(b) Letter from the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning about areas of research being undertaken by OFMDFM: Members noted that OFMDFM is currently investigating the areas and will provide relevant detail.
Action: Clerk
(c) Letter from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (ETI) about its Tourism Inquiry: The Committee agreed that the letter from the ETI Committee should be sent to the First and Deputy First Ministers. Members asked for clarification of the term 'new dispensation' contained in the terms of reference.
Action: Clerk
Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 2.13pm.
(d) Letter from OFMDFM about the bids for the December Monitoring Round: Members considered and discussed the OFMDFM bids. The Committee requested additional information on the rationale for the Equality Commission for NI bid of £150k in relation to the 'Andras House Termination of Lease'. Action: Clerk
(e) Letter from Save the Children about Mr Otunnu's meeting with the Committee: The Committee noted the letter of thanks.
(f) Press Release about the appointment of a Second Permanent Secretary in OFMDFM: Members noted the press release about the recent appointment and requested an OFMDFM organisation chart. Action: Clerk
(g) OFMDFM response to issues raised at the EU-UK Chairs' meeting: The Committee noted the OFMDFM response and the Clerk's paper and agreed to consider the issues further when additional information is provided by OFMDFM.
Action: Clerk
(h) Press Release about the Scottish Parliament European Committee's 'Report on the Governance of the European Union and the future of Europe: What Role for Scotland?':
Members noted the press release.
6. European Union Inquiry
Members noted that BBC (NI) have shown an interest in the Committee's European Union Inquiry and propose shadowing the Committee and attending the evidence sessions at the Scottish Parliament. It was also noted that there may be interviews with various members.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.21pm.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.22pm.
The Committee considered a letter from OFMDFM about the junior Ministers' attendance at the Committee meeting of 6 February 2002. Mr Nesbitt will not be attending and OFMDFM proposed that Mr Haughey will attend accompanied by officials. Following discussion on available options it was agreed that Mr Haughey together with officials should give evidence, about the OFMDFM EU Strategy paper, to the Committee on 6 February 2002.
I Evidence from Department of Government, University of Manchester
The evidence session began at 2.24pm. Evidence on the European Union Inquiry was taken from Professor Simon Bulmer, Head of Department of Government. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 2.26pm.
Mr Murphy left the meeting at 2.52pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.12pm.
Professor Bulmer left the meeting at 3.13pm.
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 3.14pm.
II Briefing by Specialist Adviser
The Specialist Adviser joined the meeting at 3.14pm and gave the members a short briefing on issues they may wish to raise during the Committee visits to London and Edinburgh.
The Specialist Adviser left the meeting at 3.17pm.
Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting at 3.17pm.
7. Children's Fund - OFMDFM Consultation Document
Mr Robinson and Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 3.18pm.
Briefing from OFMDFM officials
The briefing session began at 3.19pm. Briefing on the Children's Fund Consultation Document was given by Mr Eugene Rooney, Grade 5, Ms Katrina Godfrey, Grade 7, Economic Policy Unit and Mr Chris Stewart, Grade 5, Human Rights Unit from OFMDFM.
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.20pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.45pm.
8. Any other business
Research by Dr Peter Shirlow, University of Ulster, into community divisions: Members discussed the recent press coverage of research carried out by Dr Peter Shirlow of the University of Ulster into community divisions and noted concerns about the accuracy of the information contained in the press reports. The Committee also noted that a report on the relevant issues will be provided by the Head of the Research and Library Service.
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next meetings of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 10 January 2002 at Westminster, on Friday, 11 January 2002 at the Scottish Parliament and on Wednesday, 16 January 2002, at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.48pm.
Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
16 January 2002
18 December 2001/ Menu / 11 January 2002