Present: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairperson)
Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Billy Bell
Mr N Dodds
Mr D Hussey
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Weir

Apologies: Ms Patricia Lewsley

In attendance:Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Mr Joe Sloan (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)

The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.39 p.m. The initial part of the meeting was held in closed session.

1. Minutes of Proceedings

1.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 27 February 2001.

2. Matters arising

2.1. None.

Mr Dodds, attended the meeting at 2.41 p.m, Mr Attwood attended at 2.42 p.m, Mr Maskey attended at 2.43 p.m.

3. Inquiries

3.1.1. The Committee deliberated on the issues surrounding the selection of a specialist adviser.

Mr John Plumb attended the meeting at 2.55 p.m.

3.1.2. Mr John Plumb, the Committee's specialist adviser addressed the Committee to describe his opinion of 3 phases to the Inquiry.

3.1.3. The Committee deliberated on Mr Plumb's commission.

3.1.4 Resolved: That the Committee would commission Mr Plumb as a specialist adviser.

The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 2.59 p.m

Mr Close attended the meeting at 2.59 p.m.

4. Correspondence

4.1. The Committee noted the letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the Review of the Rating Policy.

4.2 Resolved: That the Committee meet with representatives from Belfast City Council in advance of the briefing from the Department.

4.3 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on bids by the Department on Executive Programme Funds.

Mr Attwood left the meeting at 3.09 p.m. Mr Maskey left the meeting at 3.34 p.m.

5. Defective Premises (Landlords' Liability) Bill

5.1.1. Mr James Leslie MLA had declared an interest.

5.1.2. Mr Michael Foster and Mr Neil Lambe from the Office of Law Reform attended the meeting and were questioned on Clause 3 of Bill regarding exemption of Restricted and Regulated tenancies.

5.1.3. The Committee deliberated.

Resolved: That the Committee recommends Clause 1 to the Assembly.
That the Committee recommends Clause 2 to the Assembly.
That the Committee recommends Clause 4 to the Assembly.
That the Committee recommends Clause 5 to the Assembly.
That the Committee recommends Clause 6 to the Assembly.

5.1.4 Resolved: That the Committee will give further consideration to Clause 3.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 4.00 p.m, Mr Dodds left the meeting at 4.37 p.m.

6. Statutory Rules

6.1. None.

7. Any other business

7.1. The Committee discussed their Draft Business Programme.

8. Date of next meeting

8.1 The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 13 March 2001.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.50 p.m.

FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman