COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
NINETY SEVENTH MEETING
TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2002
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Roger Hutchinson
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Maurice Morrow
Mr Peter Weir
In attendance:
Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Ms Sheila McClelland (Clerk)
Ms Shauna McDaid (Executive Support)
Mr Jonathan Briggs (Administrative Support)
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.12p.m.
1. Apologies.
1.1 Mr Derek Hussey.
2. Minutes of Proceedings.
2.1 The Committee considered the Minutes of Proceedings for 18 and 19 June 2002.
Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of 18 and 19 June 2002.
3. Matters arising.
3.1 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding SR for Radon Gas and the Committee's letter to the Minister.
3.2 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding the North South Gas Pipeline and the Committee's letter to the Minister.
3.3 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding Economic Appraisals on EPF Infrastructure and RRI bids and also noted their letter to the Minister.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to write back to the Minister on a number of points.
3.4 The Committee considered the letter to the Minister regarding his statement on the Review of the Civil Service (Ouseley Report) and Hansard Record.
3.5 The Committee noted the letter from the Department regarding June Monitoring.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister requesting further information regarding accommodation and procurement.
3.6 The Committee noted the Departments plan for 2002 regarding Targeting Social Need.
3.7 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding consultation on RRI.
3.8 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding the Belfast Telegraph correction.
3.9 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding RRI bids.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to consider the Minister's letter at the next meeting.
3.10 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding Public Procurement Policy.
3.11 The Committee noted the letter from the Minister regarding Executive Programme Funds for Children.
Ms Lewsley attended the meeting at 3.01pm.
4. Marriage Bill.
4.1 Departmental officials Mr Michael Foster, Dr Norman Cavan, Mr George King, Mr Gareth Johnston and Mr Stanley Campbell attended the meeting and briefed the Committee on the Marriage Bill.
Mr Morrow left the meeting at 3.15pm. Mr Maskey attended the meeting at 3.49pm. Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 3.51pm.
4.2 The officials answered questions from the Committee
5 Statutory Rule.
5.1 Officials briefed the Committee on a Statutory Rule "Births Deaths and Marriage Fee (No.2) Order (NI) 2002". The Rule is subject to negative resolution procedure and had been laid in the business Office on 21 June 2002.
Resolved: The Committee approved SR.No. Births Deaths and Marriage Fee (No.2) Order (NI) 2002 subject to a report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 3.55pm.
5. Family Law (Divorce) Bill.
5.1 Departmental officials Mr Gareth Johnston and Ms Clare Archbold attended the meeting and briefed the Committee on the Family Law (Divorce) Bill.
5.2 The officials updated the Committee on research and consultation conducted regarding the Bill. The officials advised that they are now in a position to present a draft bill, which will come before the Executive Committee on 25 July, and be introduced on 9 September 2002. The officials stated that they have also commissioned further research, which should be available shortly.
Mr Morrow returned to the meeting at 4.24pm.
6. Statutory Rule - Land Registration.
6.1 Departmental officials Mr John Gibson and Mr Derek Reade attended the meeting and briefed the Committee and answered questions on Statutory Rule - Land Registration.
Resolved: The Committee approved the draft Statutory Rule - Land Registration.
Mr Close left the meeting at 4.54pm.
7. Executive's Position Report.
7.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed to return to this matter next week with comments on the draft response to strategic issues.
8. Bill of Rights.
8.1 The Committee were advised on drafting a response to this matter.
Resolved: The Committee agreed to draft a letter to the Department based on several issues: the potential implications of the Bill of Rights on Civil Law; the impact of proposals on DFP and NICS regarding employment, equality and rights of women; asking DFP to revisit areas such as Human Resource strategy, Review of Senior Civil Service, Public Procurement Review; financial implications on Public Administration.
9. Northern Ireland Economic Council.
9.1 Departmental official Mr Victor Hewitt attended the meeting and briefed the Committee and answered questions regarding where the Review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council currently stands.
10. Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives.
10.1 The Committee were briefed on the proposals for a visit to Brussels.
Resolved: The Committee agreed that a possible visit in early September to take evidence from a number of groups should be pursued.
11. Correspondence.
11.1 The Committee noted the letter from the Speaker regarding policies and procedures on Media Relations and Committee Bills.
11.2 The Committee noted the letter from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding consultation during the Committee Stage for their proposed Employment Bill.
12. Any other business.
12.1 The Committee noted its Sessional Business Programme.
12.2 The Committee noted the Report on Committee expenses.
13. Date of next meeting.
13.1 The next meeting was agreed as Tuesday 2 July 2002 at 2 p.m. in room 144. An evidence session on the Inquiry into European Structural Funds has been arranged for Wednesday 3 July in the Senate Chamber from 2.30-5.00 p.m.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 5.31pm.
Roy Beggs Jnr
Deputy Chairman