COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS:
MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 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
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Danny Kennedy MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Barry McElduff MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Dr Dara O'Hagan MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mr Pat McNamee MLA
In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Ms Pauline Innes
The meeting opened at 1.32pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Chairperson's welcome
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Peter Clarke, Welsh Children's Commissioner and his deputy, Ms Maria Battle. As Mr Clarke is the first person to be appointed to the post of Children's Commissioner in the UK, the Committee was very interested to learn from his experience.
Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 1.33pm.
3. Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill - Committee Stage
The evidence session began at 1.34pm. Evidence on the provisions of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill was taken from Mr Peter Clarke, Welsh Children's Commissioner and Ms Maria Battle, Deputy Welsh Children's Commissioner. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report.
Dr Birnie joined the meeting at 1.35pm.
Dr O'Hagan joined the meeting at 1.36pm.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 1.38pm.
Mr Kennedy joined the meeting at 1.39pm.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at1.43pm.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 2.03pm.
Mr Kennedy left the meeting at 2.07pm.
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 2.14pm.
Dr O'Hagan left the meeting at 2.15pm.
Dr Birnie left the meeting at 2.16pm.
Mr Clarke and Ms Battle left the meeting at 2.27pm.
4. Any other business
None.
5. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 11 September 2002 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.27pm.
COUNCILLOR EDWIN POOTS MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
11 September 2002