COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC
SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY, 05 JULY 2007
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Rev Dr Robert Coulter MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Miss Michelle O’Neill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA

The meeting commenced at 2.36pm in open session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Chairman’s Business

Members noted the Clerk’s Note on the visit by the Committee to the Western Health and Social Care Trust on Thursday 28 June 2007.

Members noted that a meeting had taken place earlier today with representatives of the ‘Hospital Campaign for the Rural West’ and that a note of the meeting would be circulated in due course.

3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 June 2007

The draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2007 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Members noted an interim letter dated 28 June 2007 received from the Minister in relation to follow-up questions by Members following the evidence session with officials on PFI/PPP at the Committee meeting on 14 June 2007. Members also noted that the Minister wishes to consider this further before responding.

Members noted a further letter dated 28 June 2007 received from Mr Ramsey with reference to the Forster Green Children’s care unit. It was agreed that this letter should be forwarded to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to seek further clarification on the issues raised.

Members agreed a draft letter to the Minister setting out the Committee’s response to the Comprehensive Spending Review proposals.

Members noted an interim letter received from the Minister on the issue of nurses’ pay in Northern Ireland following the evidence session with the Royal College of Nursing on 18 June 2007. Members agreed that the Committee letter to the Minister should be copied to the Minister for Finance and Personnel in support of the pay claim.

Members agreed that a letter received from the Department responding to issues raised by the Down Lisburn Carers Forum during a lunchtime meeting on 21 June 2007 should be forwarded to the Forum.

5. Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Evidence session with the Theatrical Management Association

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Mr John Botteley, Theatre Director, Grand Opera House, Member of the Theatrical Management Association.
Mr Nick Livingstone. Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

Evidence session with the Smokefree Coalition

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive, Health Promotion Agency
Mr Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation
Mr Sean Martin, Chief Environmental Officers’ Group

3.25pm Mr Gallagher and Ms Ramsey left the meeting.
3.35pm Ms Ramsey returned to the meeting.
3.40pm Mr Gallagher returned to the meeting.
3.45pm Ms O’Neil left the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

3.58pm The Committee adjourned.
4.05pm The Committee re-convened.

6. Evidence Session with Bereaved Families

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:

Ms Mary Creaney, North and West Belfast
Ms Maureen Young, Mid Ulster
Mr Seamus McCabe, Newry
Ms Rhonda Hill, South Belfast
Mr Gerard McCartan, North Belfast
Ms Ann McGarrigle, North West
Ms Jean Carson, West Belfast

4.15pm Mr McCallister left the meeting.
4.45pm Ms Ramsey left the meeting.
4.52pm Ms Ramsey returned to the meeting.
4.53pm Mr McCallister returned to the meeting.
5.05pm Ms Carál Ní Chuilín, Ms O’Neill and Ms Ramsey left the meeting.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

Members agreed to forward a transcript of the evidence to the Minister and to have a follow-up meeting with the witnesses in the Autumn.  

7. Evidence Session with Dr Paul Miller, Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry, Mater Hospital  

Members took evidence from Dr Miller.

5.50pm The Committee adjourned.
5.55pm The Committee re-convened.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

8. Statutory Rule 2007/292: General Dental Services (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007  

Departmental Officials explained the background and purpose of the Regulations and the Committee agreed the following motion:

“The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule 2007/292: General Dental Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and subject to the Department amending the defects outlined in the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules at the earliest opportunity has no objection to the Rule”.  

9. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received together with Press Cuttings/Releases.

Due to time constraints, Members agreed that the Chairperson could deal with

any correspondence issues and copy any letters for the information of the Committee.

10. Any other business

Members agreed a Press Release.

11. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 6 September 2007 at 2.30pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6.06pm.

Signed:
Chairperson
Date:

28 June 2007 / MENU