COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2002
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr Danny Kennedy MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Committee Clerk)
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Victoria Surplus
Ms Laurie Roberts
The meeting opened at 2.09pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's business
The Chairperson informed members that the debate on the Terms of Reference for the Review of Public Administration is due to take place on 24 June 2002 and members agreed to meet the panel of experts informally at 3.15pm at a venue to be agreed within Parliament Buildings. The Chairperson also informed members that the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill is due to receive its First Reading on the same date and will come to the Committee after the Second Reading which is likely to take place in the Assembly during the week commencing 1 July 2002.
Action: Clerk
3. Approval of draft minutes
The minutes from the previous meeting held on 12 June 2002 were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.
Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 2.11pm.
4. Matters arising
Members received a copy of the Report on the Future of the European Union from the Joint Committee on European Affairs of the Oireachtas.
5. Correspondence
(a) Copy of a letter from the First and Deputy First Ministers to the Chairperson of the Environment Committee about the Terms of Reference for the Review of Public Administration: Members noted the correspondence.
(b) Letter from OFMDFM about the Executive Programme Fund bid: Members noted that the bid will be made to the Innovation and Modernisation Fund, rather than the Infrastructure Fund, as this is more appropriate.
(c) Response from OFMDFM about the Draft Guide to Consultation Methods: Members noted the response.
(d) Invitation from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation to a Roundtable Discussion in London: Members noted the invitation and agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should attend. Any further members wishing to attend should inform the Committee staff.
(e) Letter from the Education Committee about the EFP Infrastructure Fund bids: Members noted the letter.
(f) EU Information: Members noted a summary of the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee report on "European Scrutiny in the Commons" and the agenda for the Scottish Parliament EU Committee on 18 June 2002. Members requested a résumé of the agenda item relating to the terms of reference for Mr Ben Wallace's study on Scottish 'representation' in Brussels.
Action: Clerk
(g)- (i) Correspondence from OFMDFM about the Executive Position Report and the Departmental Position Report: Members noted response from OFMDFM on the Departmental Position Report and expressed concern that costs relating to the Commissioner for Children tended to be at the higher end of expectation. Members also asked for clarification on the number of secondments within the current bid and the future secondment strategy for all departments, in light of the recommendations made by the Committee in their recent EU Report.
Mr Kennedy joined the meeting at 2.21pm.
Action: Clerk
6. Disability Issues
Briefing by OFMDFM officials
The briefing session began at 2.23pm.
Mr Beggs left the meeting at 2 23pm.
Briefing on disability issues was taken from Mrs Patricia McAuley, Anti Discrimination Division, and Mr Ken Walker and Mrs Margaret Glass from Anti Discrimination 1. Officials agreed to provide statistical information on the number of people with specific educational needs and whether the Enterprise trains can be modified to bring them up to the standard required under the new disability legislation.
Mr Robinson left the meeting at 2.43pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.54pm.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 2.54pm.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 2.55pm and reconvened the meeting at 2.57pm.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.57pm.
Ms Lewsley rejoined the meeting at 2.58pm.
7. Public Private Partnerships
Briefing by OFMDFM officials
The evidence session began at 2.59pm. Briefing on the consultation, 'Financing our Future' and the Review of Opportunities for Public Private Partnerships was taken from Mr Edgar Jardine, Director, Economic Policy and Public Service, Mr Eugene Rooney, Head of Economic Policy Unit, and Mr Colin Jack from the Economic Policy Unit.
Mr Kennedy left the meeting at 3.10pm.
Mr Beggs rejoined the meeting at 3.18pm.
Mrs Bell joined the meeting at 3.27pm.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 3.29pm.
Mr Beggs left the meeting at 3.32pm.
The officials left the meeting at3.34pm.
Members then considered their response to the consultation and agreed that the Clerk would draw up a draft response for consideration at the meeting on 26 June 2002.
8. Any other business
None.
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next two meetings of the Committee will be held on Thursday, 20 June 2002 at 12 noon in the Senate Chamber and on Monday, 24 June 2002 at 12 noon in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.35pm.
COUNCILLOR EDWIN POOTS MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
26 June 2002