COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Lord Morrow MLA (Chairman)
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Christine Darrah (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Kevin Marks (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 3.08 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2011
Agreed: The Committee approved the draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2011.
3. Matters Arising
The Committee noted a copy of the final version of the consultation document on Long-Term Objectives for Policing to be published by the Department of Justice on 19 January 2011.
4. The Justice Bill – Attendance of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland on Clause 34 of the Justice Bill
The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, John Larkin QC and Claire Duffy, Head of Division in the Attorney General’s office joined the meeting at 3.15 p.m.
The Attorney General outlined his views on clause 34 of the Justice Bill and the legal liability created across a wide range of public bodies. Issues covered included the likelihood of legal action against public bodies as a result of the current wording of the clause and options for amending the clause.
3.35 p.m. Mr O’Dowd joined the meeting.
The Chairman thanked the Attorney General and his official for the briefing and they left the meeting.
The Committee considered whether it would be helpful to receive the views of the Attorney General on other clauses in the Justice Bill and noted that the Assembly Legal Advisors were available to provide advice on any legal issue that arose.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would consider whether there were any further clauses upon which the views of the Attorney General would be helpful and return to the matter at the next meeting.
The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
5. Informal Clause by Clause consideration of the Justice Bill - Part 3 – Policing and Community Safety Partnerships
Gareth Johnston, Head of Justice Strategy Division, David Hughes, Deputy Director of Policing Policy & Strategy, Nicola Creagh, Policing Policy and Strategy Division and Dan Mulholland, Policing Policy and Strategy Division joined the meeting at 3.46 p.m. to provide further information and clarification, if necessary on Clauses 20 to 35 of the Justice Bill.
Lord Browne declared his interest as a member of Belfast City Council.
The Committee reviewed the evidence provided on clauses 20 to 35 of the Bill and sought further information and clarification from the departmental officials on clauses 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 33, 34 and 35.
The officials agreed to consider issues raised in relation to Clause 21 further and report back to the Committee.
3.59 p.m. Mr Buchannan joined the meeting.
4.00 p.m. Mr McDevitt joined the meeting.
4.29 p.m. Mr Givan left the meeting.
4.29 p.m. Mr Maginness left the meeting.
The Chairman thanked the officials for the briefing and they left the meeting.
The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
6. Any other Business
(i) The Committee discussed media reports that the Minister for Health had indicated that there may not be revenue funding available for the Fire and Rescue service in relation to the training college at Desertcreat.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety requesting clarification of the position in relation to revenue funding for this project.
(ii) The Committee discussed the case of a Prison Officer, who was allowed to retire from the Prison Service rather than face disciplinary proceedings.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Justice requesting further information/explanation in relation to the case.
7. Date and Time of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 20 January at 2.00 p.m. in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
4.37 p.m. The meeting was adjourned.
Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley MLA
Chairman, Committee for Justice
25 January 2011
13 January 11 / Menu
