Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 25 July 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy

Present: Dr Esmond Birnie
Diane Dodds
Dr Sean Farren
David Ford
Michelle Gildernew MP
Mitchel McLaughlin
David McNarry
Sean Neeson
Edwin Poots
Margaret Ritchie


In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Colin Jones (Assistant Clerk)
Paul Stitt (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Peter Gilleece (Assembly Research)

The meeting commenced at 10.07am.

1. Apologies

Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP (Dr Farren attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell MP).

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr (Mrs Dodds attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley Jnr).

Mr Peter Weir (Mr Poots attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Weir).

2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 20 July 2006

These were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.

3. Matters Arising

Members considered a response from the Economic Development Forum, stating their view that, as an umbrella group, it was not appropriate for the Forum to give evidence as many of their individual members were to be asked to meet with the sub-group.

Members agreed that they still wished to call the Forum to give evidence and agreed that the Chairman should write to the Forum to determine whether they would be prepared to do so.

Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.25am.

With regard to privilege, the Chairman confirmed that, under paragraph 6 of the Northern Ireland Act 2006, ‘ a written or oral statement made by a member in, or for, the purposes of the Assembly is to be privileged from action for defamation unless it is proved to have been made with malice.’

The Chairman stated that written or oral statements made by members during meetings of Assembly Committees or sub-groups were included in the term ‘for the purposes of the Assembly.’

Members noted that privilege did not extend to witnesses.

Members noted that any amendments to the draft transcript of the first meeting on 20 July 2006 should be sent to the Assistant Clerk by close of play on Wednesday 26 July 2006.

4. Revised Work Programme

Members considered a revised work programme of evidence sessions and noted that a draft report would need to be agreed by Thursday 17 August to allow the sub-group to meet the deadline for submission to the Preparation for Government Committee.

Members agreed a further list of organisations that would be invited to give oral evidence and a list of organisations that would be asked to make written submissions.

5. Evidence Sessions

Mrs Dodds joined the meeting at 10.45am.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 10.55am.
Mrs Gildernew joined the meeting at 11.10am.
Mr Ford joined the meeting at 11.25am.

The sub-group took evidence from the Northern Ireland Business Alliance (including representatives from the Confederation of British Industries, the Institute of Directors, the Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Competitiveness).

The sub-group took evidence from the Federation of Small Businesses.

The meeting was suspended at 1.05pm.

Mrs Dodds, Mr Neeson and Mr Poots left the meeting at 1.05pm.

The meeting was reconvened at 1.25pm.

The sub-group took evidence from IntertradeIreland.

6. Any Other Business

Members agreed a draft press release for issue.

7. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Thursday 27 July at 10.00 am.

The meeting adjourned at 2.50pm.