COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday 22 October 2009
Board Room, Food Standards Agency
Present:
Mr Jim Wells MLA (Chairperson)
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Mrs Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr David Irvine (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA
The meeting commenced at 2.09 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Draft Minutes of the Meetings held on 15 October 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2009 were agreed.
3. Departmental briefing on Swine Flu
Members took evidence from:
Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Liz Reaney Senior Medical Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
3.13 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting
3.13 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill took the Chair
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.25 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny left the meeting
3.33 p.m. Dr Kieran Deeny rejoined the meeting
3.37 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting
4. Evidence session on the Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland on its Strategic plan
Members took evidence from:
Gerry McCurdy Director, Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland
Maureen Edmondson FSA Board Member for Northern Ireland
Michael Jackson Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland
Maria Jennings Deputy Director, Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland
3.50 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting
Mr John McCallister made a declaration of interest that he was a farmer and a share holder in a food processing company
A question and answer session ensued. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
4.19 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
4.29 p.m. Meeting resumed.
5. Evidence session on Comprehensive Spending Review efficiencies with the Western Health & Social Care Trust
Members took evidence from:
Elaine Way Chief Executive
Joe Lusby Deputy Chief Executive Director of Acute Services
Alan Finn Director of Primary Care and Older People - Executive Director of Nursing
Trevor Millar Director of Adult Mental Health and Disability Services
John Doherty Director of Women & Children's Services
A question and answer session ensued. The witnesses agreed to provide the Committee with additional information. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
5.15p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
5.22p.m. Mr Jim Wells resumed the chair.
6. Proposed Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Food Enzymes Regulations (NI) 2009 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Food Additives Regulations (NI) 2009 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Food (Jelly Mini-Cups) (Emergency Control) Regulations (NI) 2009 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
The Committee considered the Official Feed and Food Controls Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and agreed that the Food Standards Agency should proceed to prepare this Statutory Rule.
7. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson thanked the Food Standards Agency for hosting the Committee meeting.
The Chairperson informed members that photographs were taken earlier and may be used in the FSA newsletter and website.
The Chairperson informed members that the Long Gallery has been provisionally booked for a reception for Healthcare related Groups on Tuesday 9 th February 2010. The Committee agreed to proceed with the reception on this date.
The Chairperson informed members that the Dáil Committee for Health & Children would be unable to attend a planned meting with the Committee on Thursday 5 th November and that this would be arranged for a later date.
The Chairperson informed members that a debate on the Committee motion on CSR efficiencies would take place on Monday 9 th November 2009.
The Committee agreed to postpone a debate on the Committee report on obesity until Monday 16 th November 2009.
8. Matters arising.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister about proposals for an air ambulance for Northern Ireland. Members also noted that West Coast Ambulance Services had declined an invitation to attend the next Committee reception for health related groups. Members agreed to consider the issue of an air ambulance service for Northern Ireland at a future meeting.
The Committee noted a response from the Southern Trust about staff suspensions.
The Committee noted the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules
The Committee noted a report on the Committee event on 13th October 2009 and agreed to return to this matter at a future Committee meeting.
The Committee noted a letter from Relate thanking the Committee for meeting with them on 13 th October 2009 and agreed to invite the group to brief the Committee at a future meeting.
The Committee agreed to visit and hold a Committee meeting at the Northern Ireland Hospice at Somerton Road on Thursday 10 th December 2009.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister informing the Committee of his intention to agree to an amendment to the Health Bill 2009 to ban tobacco vending machines and agreed to write to the Minister supporting the amendment.
9. Consideration of Social Services provision
The Committee deferred consideration of the Social Services aspects of the Departments remit until the next Committee meeting.
10. Committee report on obesity
The Committeeagreed a press release and press articles for the Committee report on obesity.
11. Correspondence.
The Committee noted correspondence from Macmillan Cancer Support and agreed to invite the group to the next Long Gallery reception for health related groups.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Counselling Forum seeking a meeting with the Committee regarding concerns over counselling and psychotherapy in Northern Ireland and agreed to invite the group to the next Long Gallery reception for health related groups.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing information on the appointment of members to the Independent Review of Autism Services and a copy of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan.
The Committee noted correspondence from the National Autistic Society NI regarding their views on the draft Autism Bill.
The Committee noted correspondence from Participation and the Practice of Rights Project (PPR) regarding PIPS/Greater Shankill Bereaved Families Group and their campaign for a Card before You Leave and agreed to ask the group to keep the Committee informed of developments in the campaign. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department for an update on the implementation of a card before you leave scheme.
The Committee noted a response from the Office of the First Minister & deputy First Minister regarding the Executive’s European Engagement Action Plan 2009/10.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding an analysis of sickness absence in NI Departments.
The Committee noted a letter from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council offering to brief the Committee on their work and agreed to invite them to an informal meeting .
12. Any other business
The Committee discussed concerns that blind & visually impaired people have difficulty reading appointment cards and agreed to write to the Department to inquire how this matter is being taken forward by the Department and Trusts. The Committee also agreed to invite the Royal National institute for the Blind to the next Long Gallery reception for health related groups .
The Committee agreed to write to the Department asking for an update on the pay award for the Fire & Rescue Service.
13. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 5th November 2009 at 2.00pm in the room 30 , Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.54 p.m.
Chairperson