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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PREPARATION FOR GOVERNMENTMinutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 30 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. In the Chair: Francie Molloy Present: Alex Attwood Observing: Richard Bullick (DUP researcher) The meeting commenced at 10.07am. 1. Apologies Mr Durkan MP (Mr Maginness attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan MP) Dr Farren (Mr Attwood attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr Farren) Dr McCrea MP (Mr Weir attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Dr McCrea MP) Mr McGuinness MP (Mr McCartney attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuinness MP) Mr McNarry (Mr Cobain attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr McNarry) Lord Morrow (Mr Wilson MP attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Lord Morrow) Mr Murphy MP (Mr Maskey attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr Murphy MP) 2. Declaration of Interests Ian Paisley Jnr declared the following interests: – member of Policing Board. 3. Previous Minutes The minutes of the meeting of 23 August 2006 were agreed. Mr Cobain joined the meeting at 10.10am. Mr Maginness joined the meeting at 10.14am. 4. Matters arising
5. Discussion on Rule of Law Issues Mr Maginness left the meeting at 10.35am. It was agreed that research should be undertaken on the definition of ‘ceasefire’. Mr Maginness rejoined the meeting at 10.59am. Mr Paisley proposed that a detailed inventory of all material decommissioned be published urgently to enhance public confidence in the process. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. Mr Attwood proposed that this Committee endorses the work of the IICD and calls upon paramilitary organisations to co-operate fully and without delay with the IICD in putting illegal weapons verifiably beyond use, and for the IICD to conclude its work as it has publicly indicated. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. It was agreed to defer to the meeting on 6 September, the following proposal from Mr Paisley: “This Committee believes that association with, or support for, those involved in criminal activity is incompatible with the holding of ministerial office.” Mr Attwood proposed that this Committee believes that the appropriate agencies should, subject to due process, publish as fully as possible details of individuals, gangs or organisations involved in crime. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. Mr Weir left the meeting at 12.12pm. It was agreed to defer to the meeting on 6 September, the following proposal from Mr Paisley: “This Committee believes that consideration should be given to incorporating in the Ministerial Pledge of Office, support for the rule of law and commitment to urging all others to do so.” It was agreed to refer the following proposal to the PfG Committee meeting on 4 September: “This Committee believes that a breach of the Ministerial Pledge of Office should be actionable in the courts and followed by disqualification from office.” Mr Attwood proposed that this Committee calls on all parties to recommend that people join the police; assist the police with enquiries, including into organised crime; encourage people to participate in the policing structures; and to co-operate with other agencies addressing crime and organised crime. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. The meeting was suspended at 12.19pm. The meeting reconvened at 12.47pm. 6. Any Other Business Law and Order matters left unresolved It was agreed that this Committee welcomes the progress made to date on departmental structures and accepts that it requires renewed consideration by all the parties collectively. Mr Wilson proposed that this Committee believes that policing and justice should be devolved as soon as possible, given levels of public confidence. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. It was agreed to defer to the meeting on 6 September, the following proposal from Mr Attwood: “This Committee believes that policing and justice should be devolved as soon as possible, but is not at this time able to define when.” Mr Attwood proposed that the Committee should support the Patten recommendation that the Chief Constable should have responsibility for matters in Northern Ireland that involve national security. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. It was agreed that this Committee believes that political representation on the Policing Board should be at MLA level. Mr Cobain left the meeting at 1.12pm. It was agreed that this Committee believes that issues surrounding membership of an Assembly scrutiny committee and relationship with the Policing Board be addressed by Assembly Standing Orders. Mr Attwood proposed that this Committee believes that the appointment of the Police Ombudsman should be devolved, subject to appropriate community safeguards. There was not consensus and the proposal fell. 7. Next Meeting The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Friday, 1 September 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings to discuss issues relating to Rights; Safeguards; Equality and Victims. It was agreed that the meeting on Wednesday, 6 September 2006 would be an all-day meeting with lunch provided.
The meeting adjourned at 1.27pm. |