COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2002
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Danny Kennedy MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Mr Barry McElduff 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 2.17pm in public session the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's business
The Deputy Chairperson informed members that OFMDFM has forwarded a copy of their input to the Programme for Government Annual Report. The Annual Report will be introduced in the form of a statement in the Assembly on Monday 1 July, when members will be able to raise any issues of concern.
The Committee agreed that the Junior Ministers would attend the next meeting, on Wednesday, 3 July 2002, to inform members about plans to develop an over-arching children's strategy.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 2.19pm.
The Deputy Chairperson also informed members that, as the Chairperson would not be available due to other commitments, he would be speaking in the Assembly next week to the two Statutory Rules considered by the Committee at today's meeting.
3. Approval of draft minutes
The minutes from the previous meetings held on 19 June 2002, 20 June 2002 and 24 June 2002 were agreed with a minor amendment and signed by the Deputy Chairperson.
4. Matters arising
(a) Financing our Future - Consultation on Public Private Partnerships: Members considered and agreed their response to the consultation document with one minor amendment. The response will be forwarded to OFMDFM.
Action: Clerk
(b) Executive Position Report: Members considered and agreed their responses on the Budget proposals and on the Programme for Government, should be sent to the Committee for Finance and Personnel and to OFMDFM respectively.
Action: Clerk
5. Correspondence
(a) Correspondence from the Committee on Standards and Privileges regarding the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (Assembly Standards) Bill: Members noted the correspondence and agreed that the Clerk should arrange for appropriate witnesses to give evidence to the Committee in the next session.
Action: Clerk
(b) Correspondence from the Civic Forum giving details of their forward work programme: Members noted the correspondence.
(c) Response from OFMDFM about the administrative arrangements for the Children's Fund: Members noted the response.
(d) Information on EU issues: Members noted a press release from the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee announcing the publication of their inquiry report on 'Democracy and Accountability in the EU and the role of National Parliaments'. Members also noted the terms of reference for the Scottish Parliament's European Committee inquiry into Scotland's Representation in the EU. Members requested further information on the means by which The Welsh Assembly receives information on EU activities from its 'representation'.
Action: Clerk
6. Subordinate Legislation
(i) Statutory Rule No 183/2002 - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2002 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Committee considered the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2002 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 Statutory Rule and report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Agreed - That the Committee of the Centre has considered the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2002 (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objections to the Rule.
The Chairperson joined the meeting at 2.37pm, and took the chair at 2.40pm.
(ii) Statutory Rule - Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Committee considered the Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 Statutory Rule and report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Agreed - That the Committee of the Centre has considered the Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection to the Statutory Rule.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 2 41pm.
7. Review of Community Relations
Briefing by OFMDFM officials
The evidence session began at 2.48pm. Briefing on the recent Review of Community Relations Policy and scope of the proposed consultation document, was taken from Dr Jeremy Harbison, Chair of the Social Care Committee, Mrs Mary Bunting, Head of Equality Directorate, and Mr Chris Stewart, Head of Community Relations, Human Rights and Victims Unit. Members requested a copy of the Report on the Review of Community Relations Policy.
Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 2.59pm.
Mr McMenamin joined the meeting at 3.10pm.
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 3.26pm.
Mr Gibson left the meeting at 3.34pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.39pm.
Action: Clerk
The officials concluded the briefing at 3.42pm.
8. Any other business
(a) Briefing on Race and Gender Strategies
Mrs Bunting, Head of Equality Directorate, provided an update paper on the position with regard to the Race and Gender Strategies and members had an opportunity to raise issues of concern.
(b) Review of Public Administration - publication of evidence
Members agreed to publish the Minutes of Evidence relating to the meeting on the Review of Public Administration on Wednesday, 8 May 2002 with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Action: Clerk
9. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 3 July 2002 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.51pm.
COUNCILLOR EDWIN POOTS MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
26 June 2002