CONCURRENT MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
23 September 2010
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mr Jim Wells (Chairperson)
Lord Morrow MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
In Attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mrs Christine Darrah (Clerk)
Mrs Roisin Donnelly (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Leanne Johnston (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Neil Sedgewick (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Craig Mealey (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Mary Bradley MLA
Mr Tom Elliott MLA
Mr Sam Gardiner MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
The meeting commenced at 11.32am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson welcomed members to a concurrent meeting of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Committee for Justice which has been arranged to hear evidence from the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister of Justice on issues relating to the McDermott Case.
Mr Paul Girvan joined the meeting at 11.34am
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a transcript of this meeting would be made by Hansard and published on the Assembly website.
The Chairperson clarified the procedures for the Joint Committee.
2. Evidence Session with Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister of Justice on issues relating to the McDermott case
The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr Michael McGimpsey MLA, and departmental officials Ms Linda Browne, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and Mr Sean Holland, Chief Social Services Officer joined the meeting at 11.41am.
The Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford MLA and departmental officials,
Mr David Lavery, Director of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service and Ms Maura Campbell, Deputy Director, Criminal Justice Directorate, Department of Justice joined the meeting at 11.41am.
Both Ministers gave individual presentations on the issues arising from the McDermott Case relevant to their respective Departments, after which, they answered questions from Members.
Issues covered in the question and answer session included: the Health Minister’s comments to the Assembly on Tuesday, 21 September 2010 regarding the case; the role of the Western Trust health and social care professionals in terms of submitting reports and giving evidence to the judge; the decision in relation to the residency of the McDermott brothers; powers to determine residency; the extent of the powers of the Supervising Officer appointed to the case; the Minister of Health’s case review; the Department of Justice led reviews; the basis of the legal advice sought by the Western Trust; the guidance available to health and social care professionals in preparation for contribution to court proceedings; and the level of consultation carried out with the community.
Ms Sue Ramsey left the meeting at 1.17pm
The Chairperson thanked the Ministers and their officials for attending.
The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety agreed to provide the Committee with a schedule of reports which were provided to the Judge in this case.
The meeting was suspended at 1.41pm
The meeting resumed at 2.19pm
Present:
Mr Jim Wells (Chairperson)
Lord Morrow MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA
Mr Paul Girvan MLA
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to both Ministers seeking further information and clarification on a number of issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would continue to liaise with victims.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a further meeting should be held with the two Ministers.
3. Any other business
No other business was discussed.
4. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 30 September 2010 at 11.30am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.45pm
Mr Jim Wells MLA
Chairperson