COMMITTEE ON THE Friday 6 October 2006 Members in attendance for all or part of proceedings: The Committee met at 10.05 am. (The Chairman (Mr Wells) in the Chair.) The Chairman (Mr Wells): I remind members that the quorum is seven. Therefore should any member leave the meeting, we will have to stop proceedings immediately. I now turn to apologies and deputies. Mr Robinson, whom are you representing? Mr P Robinson: Do you mean for whom am I substituting? The Chairman (Mr Wells): We will make you Lord Morrow. Is Mr Clyde to arrive later? Mr P Robinson: Yes; if he arrives, he will represent Willie McCrea. Mr McFarland: Mr Kennedy sends his apologies. Ms Lewsley: I am here on behalf of Mark Durkan. Mr A Maginness: I am here on behalf of Seán Farren. Mr O’Dowd: Mr McCann and I are representing Conor Murphy and Martin McGuinness. The Chairman (Mr Wells): I have received apologies from the Alliance Party. I have received no other apologies. I now turn to the minutes of the meeting of 26 September, which have been circulated to members. Do members have comments or corrections? Are members content that they are an accurate record of the proceedings? Members indicated assent. The Chairman (Mr Wells): We will move to the report of the Subgroup on the Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland. This part of the meeting will be held in private, so I ask Hansard staff to leave the room — I am sure that they will not be too disappointed to hear that. Researchers are welcome to stay, although none is here at present. The Committee met in private session from 10.07 am to 10.37 am. On resuming — 10.37 am The Chairman (Mr Wells): We have one other issue. Six or seven members of the PFG Committee, and myself as Chairman, met the Human Rights Commission yesterday in their Belfast headquarters. Prof McWilliams and a large number of her commissioners attended the meeting, which PFG members found useful. There was a discussion about the progress of the Bill of Rights, and we had some input as regards what we felt it should include. It was unanimously agreed that the meeting went well, and it was suggested that the PFG Committee should meet the Human Rights Commission again on 5 December. It is entirely up to us whether we meet them again or not. Alban and Patricia were there. Alan, were you there? Mr McFarland: No. It was Dermot and Sir Reg. The Chairman (Mr Wells): What is your view on that, Alban? Mr A Maginness: It was a very good meeting, and everybody was content with it. The suggestion that we meet again on 5 December — providing of course that the Committee is still in existence — received unanimous support from the parties that were there. It is an eminently sensible proposal and we should endorse it. The Chairman (Mr Wells): It is unlikely that there will still be a PFG Committee on 5 December. It is even less likely that we could accept an invitation to go to Virginia in the spring of 2007. I cannot see how the PFG Committee could be in existence in the spring of 2007 to go anywhere, for obvious reasons. Mr P Robinson: I am content that members are now coming to the view that we will still be preparing for Government in December. The Chairman (Mr Wells): Are members content that we go ahead with the arrangements for the meeting on 5 December with the strong caveat that it is subject to developments? If that is not the case, then presumably individual parties will take up the invitation and send their spokespeople. Members indicated assent. The Chairman (Mr Wells): I must say that we were extremely well treated yesterday. The catering facilities were excellent, and I recommend visiting the Human Rights Commission if you are looking for a good lunch. It was suggested that I write to thank the Commission for their hospitality. Members indicated assent. The Chairman (Mr Wells): Are there any other matters that members wish to raise? Mr O’Dowd: Both the economic subgroup and this Committee are scheduled to meet on Monday. Mr McNarry: The economic subgroup is due to meet on Monday afternoon at 2.00 pm. Mr O’Dowd: Sinn Féin is having difficulty with getting personnel to attend that meeting. It is involved in the preparations for St Andrews, as are other parties. It requests, therefore, that the meeting be postponed. Mr McNarry: Witnesses have been invited to give evidence to that meeting. However, as Sinn Féin does not subscribe to printing the report, its presence will not be missed. The Chairman (Mr Wells): The Alliance Party also has a problem with that date. Next week will be difficult for everyone. We have managed to get to this stage without much difficulty, but holding meetings next week may be practically impossible. What is the DUP’s position regarding next week? Mr P Robinson: We are meeting the archbishop on Monday morning. The Chairman (Mr Wells): That meeting may run beyond 2.00 pm. Mr McNarry: I accept what John O’Dowd has said, but perhaps cognisance could be given to a possible delay to the deadline of 23 October, as we lose all of next week. The Committee Clerk: Alan has already said that there could be difficulty with meeting the deadline, depending on when the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI) research comes through. He anticipated that the subgroup may approach the PFG Committee to request an extension to the deadline. Mr McNarry: There are many educational issues involved. Mr P Robinson: I am concerned about who will field the team if the meeting proceeds? However, I would not be unhappy if members wish to skip on this meeting. Mr McFarland: Can we agree to extend the deadline by a week? The Committee Clerk: Our next meeting was due to take place on 25 October. The Chairman (Mr Wells): Are members content to extend the deadline to 30 October and to postpone the meeting of 25 October to some time in November? Members indicated assent. The Chairman (Mr Wells): The economic subgroup meeting on Monday has been cancelled. As there is no other business, the meeting is adjourned. Adjourned at 10.43 am. |