Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Ms Marie Austin (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Neil Currie (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Joy Hamilton (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Sheila Mawhinney (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Lorraine McFarland (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Fra McCann MLA

The meeting opened at 2.45pm in closed session

  1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Composition of the Interdepartmental Affordability Review Implementation Group and the Advisory Panel of Independent Experts

The Committee discussed the composition of the Interdepartmental Affordability Review Implementation Group and the Advisory Panel of Independent Experts.

Agreed – It was agreed to table the following Committee motion:

“That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to extend the composition of the Interdepartmental Affordability Review Implementation Group to include a representative of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and to extend the composition of the Advisory Panel of Independent Experts to include a representative from an organisation that represents homeless people.”

  1. Briefing by Minister Margaret Ritchie on the Conflict Transformation Initiative

The Chairperson informed Members that he intended to speak to the media after the meeting as Chairperson of the Committee.

The Chairperson emphasised to Members that the legal information provided by the Minister was confidential and privileged and should not be shared outside of the Committee.

Minister Margaret Ritchie joined the meeting at 2.56pm, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Alan Shannon, and Mr Dave Wall, Director, Central Policy & Co-ordination Unit.

The Minister briefed the Committee in relation to the Conflict Transformation Initiative project. This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Cobain declared the following interest – Director of Farset Youth and Community Development Ltd.

The Minister and officials left the meeting at 4.00pm.
Mr Cobain left the meeting at 4.00pm.

Agreed – It was agreed to note the Minister’s remarks.

  1. Any other business

None.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Social Development will be held on Thursday, 8 November 2007 at 11.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.01pm.

Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development
8 November 2007

18 October 2007 / Menu