COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 21, 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)
The meeting commenced at 3.05 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2011
Agreed: The Committee approved the draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2011.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3.10 p.m. Mr Givan joined the meeting.
4. Briefing on the Department of Justice draft Budget 2011 – 2015
Anthony Harbinson, Director of Justice Delivery, Glyn Capper, Deputy Director, Finance, and Sean Laverty, Head of Financial Planning and Control joined the meeting at 3.10 p.m.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Department of Justice draft Budget 2011 – 2015 and outlined its spending and savings proposals .
A question and answer session followed covering issues including the current position regarding the Chief Constable’s bid for security funding from the Treasury Reserve; the proposed budget for legal aid and the basis on which the Department was working with the Law Society and Bar Council to reach an agreement; the impact of the savings plans on staffing across the Department and its Agencies; and in particular the Police Ombudsman’s Office and the Policing Board; the options available for redevelopment of Magilligan Prison; and the revenue streams available to the PSNI.
3.15 p.m. Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.
3.15 p.m. Mr O’Dowd left the meeting.
3.25 p.m. Mr Maginness joined the meeting.
The meeting was suspended at 3.46 p.m. to enable members to vote in the plenary session.
The meeting resumed at 4.03 p.m.
Present:
Lord Morrow MLA (Chairman)
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
In Attendance:
Mrs Christine Darrah (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
cont’d 4. Briefing on the Department of Justice draft Budget 2011 – 2015
During the question and answer session officials agreed to provide the Committee with further information including clarification on the legal aid budget.
4.07 p.m. Mr Givan left the meeting.
4.09 p.m. Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.
4.20 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.
5. Discussion of Budget 2011-15 proposals
The Committee briefly discussed the Department of Justice 20011-15 draft budget proposals.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a draft budget response should be prepared for consideration at the meeting on 27 January 2011 to enable the timescale set by the Committee for Finance and Personnel to be met.
6. Continuation of Informal Clause by Clause Consideration – Section 4 and Schedule 3 – Sport
Gareth Johnston, Head of Justice Strategy Division and Tom Haire, Justice Bill Manager joined the meeting at 4.30 p.m. to provide further information and clarification, if necessary, on Clauses 36 to 55 and Schedule 3 of the Justice Bill.
The Committee reviewed the evidence provided on clauses 36 to 55 and Schedule 3 of the Justice Bill and sought further information and clarification from the departmental officials on clauses 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and Schedule 3.
The Department officials advised the Committee that the Minister of Justice intended to propose amendments to the Bill in relation to clauses 36, 38, 44, 49 and Schedule 3 and to remove Clause 45 from the Bill. The draft amendments would be provided to the Committee as soon as possible.
4.31 p.m. Mr O’Dowd rejoined the meeting.
5.07 p.m. Mr Givan rejoined the meeting.
5.15 p.m. Ms Ní Chuilín left the meeting.
The officials agreed to consider the issues raised in relation to Clause 37, further and report back to the Committee.
The Chairman thanked the officials for the briefing and they left the meeting.
The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.
7. Any other Business
None.
8. Date and Time of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 27 January at 2.00 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
6.16 p.m. The meeting was adjourned.
Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley MLA
Chairman, Committee for Justice
1 February 2011
20 January 11 / Menu
