Present: Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Robinson MP
Mr Peter Weir

Apologies: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairperson)

In attendence: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)

1.1 The Deputy Chairman welcomed everyone and explained that he would be leaving the meeting at 3.00 p.m. The Deputy Chairman nominated Mr Bell to take over the Chair from 3.00 p.m.

1.2 Resolved: That Mr Bell would take the chair in the absence of the Deputy Chairman.

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2. Minutes of Proceedings

2.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 23 January 2001.

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3. Matters arising

4.1 SR 389/2000 The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

4.1.1 Mr J Dumigan, Mr R White and Mr R Colvin, representing the Chief Officers Building Control Group Forum, appeared before the Committee and were questioned on The Building Regulations (NI) 2000. The representatives expressed concern about those areas and buildings in Northern Ireland that would not be covered under the Regulations relating to radon gas protection measures. The Forum considered that the regulations should be extended to cover all new domestic properties and new non-domestic buildings such as schools and other public buildings. Other matters of concern included the need to provide sufficient time to train and educate the building trade in the new regulations.

4.1.2 The Committee questioned Mr R Plunkett and Mr D Stewart, Department of Finance and Personnel who explained that if the Regulations were annulled then any improvements provided by the Regulations would be delayed for a number of months until the revised regulations could be laid. This would include measures to improve access to buildings for disabled persons and a number of safety-oriented changes.

4.1.3 The Committee deliberated. Mr Close proposed that the Committee's motion seeking annulment of the Regulations should not be withdrawn. The Committee considered the need to ensure that the beneficial measures contained in the Regulations were not unduly delayed. Mr Robinson proposed an amendment to Mr Close's motion to enable the Deputy Chairman to seek leave of the Assembly to withdraw the Committee's motion if the Minister gave a commitment to introduce a statutory rule that would extend radon protection measures to the whole of Northern Ireland by a specified date.

4.1.4 Motion: 'That the Deputy Chairman seeks leave of the Assembly to withdraw the motion:

"That this Assembly annuls The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (SR No. 389)."

if the Minister of Finance and Personnel gives a commitment to introduce a statutory rule to extend radon protection measures to the whole of Northern Ireland by an early specified date." '

4.1.5 Resolved: The question being put the motion was carried without division.

4.2 Proposal to make a SR to include Chief Executive to the Mental Health Commission under the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) 1972.

4.2.1 Resolved: The Committee was content with the proposal to make the Statutory Rule.

4.3 Proposal to make a SR to increase public service pensions by 3.3% under the Social Security Pensions (Northern Ireland) 1975.

4.3.1 Resolved: The Committee was content with the proposal to make the Statutory Rule.

4.4 The Committee noted the Report to the Assembly on Statutory Rules SR 389/2000, SR 391/2000 and SR 392/2000 by the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

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5. Defective Premises Bill (Landlord's Liability) Bill (NIA Bill 5/00)

5.1 The Committee took evidence from Mr John McCorkey and Mr Dan Kennedy of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (Northern Ireland Centre); and from Ms Janet Hunter and Ms Pauline Brannigan of the Housing Rights Centre. The representatives welcomed the Bill but expressed concerns about certain provisions, with particular reference to the exclusion of restricted or regulated tenancies.

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6. New TSN Action Plan - Quaterly Report

6.1 Resolved: That the Department of Finance and Personnel's Quarterly Report on its New TSN Action Plan would be considered at the next meeting.

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7. Private Finance Initiative / Private Public Partnerships

7.1 The Committee deliberated on the arrangements for appointing a specialist adviser for the inquiry into Private Finance Initiative / Public Private Partnership.

7.2 Resolved: That the Committee would visit London to hold selection interviews, meet with members of HM Treasury Select Committee and meet the team handling PFI/PPP matters for the London Underground.

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8. Correspondence

8.1 The following correspondence was tabled for the Committee's attention and information:

• Letter from DFP, dated 23 January in response to questions raised on the Department's business programme.
• Four Letters to Chairman from the Minister of Finance and Personnel - dated 29 January on the Review of Procurement; dated 29 January on the Department's draft Public Service Agreement; dated 25 January to Chairman Procedures Committee on Change in Standing Orders; dated 23 January on the Port of Belfast.
• Letter dated 25 January from the Chairman to the Minister of Finance and Personnel on Change in Standing Orders

8.2 Resolved: That the Committee would consider the Department's draft Public Service Agreement enclosed in the Minister of Finance and Personnel's letter dated 29 January at the next meeting.

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9. Any other business:

10.1 Resolved: That the Committee meet on Tuesday, 6 February 2001 at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144.

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The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.30 p.m.

FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman