COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2007
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson)
Ms Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallaher MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Rev Robert Coulter MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Ruth Barry (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr John McCallister MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.36 p.m. in public session
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Members noted that the Select Committee report on the Prison Service had been published. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister and the Northern Ireland Office to express their concern about the funding of prison healthcare.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 6 December2007
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members noted a summary of the keys points arising from the Committee’s lunchtime meeting with the Allied Health Professionals.
Members noted a report on the Committee visit to Scotland.
5. Evidence Session with the Eastern Health and Social Services Council.
Members took evidence from the following:
Mr Cecil Graham Vice Chair, Eastern Health and Social Services Council
Mr Richard Dixon Chief Officer, Eastern Health and Social Services Council
Miss Muriel Patterson Eastern Health and Social Services Council
A questions and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Members agreed to forward the Official Report of the evidence supplied by Eastern Health and Social Services Council to the Minister for Health, Social services & Public Safety and to copy this to the Ministers for Social Development and Employment & Learning.
2.52 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher arrived.
2.53 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
2.57 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher returned to the meeting.
3.07 p.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna arrived.
3.09 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
3.13 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey returned to the meeting.
3.19 p.m. Meeting adjourned
3.34 p.m. Meeting resumed
3.37 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher returned to the meeting.
6. Statutory Rules proposed by the Food Standards agency
Members were briefed by Mr Jim Ross, Head of Meat Hygiene and Meat Imports Unit and Mr Michael Jackson , Head of Auditing and Monitoring for District Councils on proposals for Statutory Rules.
Statutory Rule No: 2007/482: The Official Feed and Food Controls
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
The Committee considered the content of SR 2007/482. Question put and agreed: The Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has considered Statutory Rule No: 2007/482: The Official Feed and Food Controls Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007and has no objection to the Rule subject to the examiner of Statutory Rules being content with the technical aspects.
Members agreed that the Food Standards Agency proceeds to prepare the relevant Statutory Rules for the following:
The Draft Meat (Official Controls Charges) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
The Honey (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
3.46 p.m. Private Session.
7. Consideration of the Committee Response to the Draft Programme for
Government, Draft Investment Strategy & Draft budget.
The Committee agreed a response to the Draft Programme for Government, Draft Investment Strategy & Draft budget.
4.33 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
4.42 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher left the meeting.
4.50 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neill returned to the meeting.
4.56 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting.
5.04 p.m. Mr Tommy Gallagher returned to the meeting.
5.06 p.m. Ms Sue Ramsey returned to the meeting.
5.20 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan left the meeting.
5.21 p.m. Ms Michelle O’Neill left the meeting.
8. Correspondence/Press Cuttings/Releases
Members noted an update of the Review of Public Administration provided by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.
Members noted a letter from Justice for Asbestos Victims.
Members noted a copy of correspondence from IHCP (Independent Health & Care Providers) to the Minister.
Members noted a letter from Jo’s Trust regarding the Draft Budget and agreed a response.
Members noted a letter from Ms Arlene Foster MLA, regarding the removal of a picture from Enniskillen Fire Station; Members agreed to write to Ms Foster advising that this had already been raised in the Committee and referred to the Department for a response.
Members noted a letter from Mr Peter Robinson MLA, who has copied correspondence from Beechgrove Glencregagh Residents Association requesting a meeting with the Committee about the siting of a psychiatric unit. Members agreed to write to the Residents Association to inform them that it would not be appropriate for the Committee to intervene in this matter.
9. Any other business
The Committee agreed to invite Optometry NI to an informal lunchtime meeting following recess.
Members agreed the wording of a Committee motion on smoke alarms.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department to ask if money was being lost due to Pharmacists in Northern Ireland having exclusive contracts with Drug Companies.
11. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Thursday 10 January 2008 at 2.30 p.m. in the Everton Complex.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.39 p.m.
Signed:
Chairperson
Date: