Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 3 August 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy

Present: Dr Esmond Birnie
John Dallat
Alex Easton
David Ford
Michelle Gildernew MP
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Barry McElduff
David McNarry
Sean Neeson
Peter Weir

In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Colin Jones (Assistant Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Clerical Supervisor)
Paul Stitt (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 10.05am in closed session.

1. Apologies

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

Margaret Ritchie (John Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Ms Ritchie).

Mitchel McLaughlin (Mr McElduff attended the meeting as SF representative in place of Mr McLaughlin).

2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 1 August 2006

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

3. Matters Arising

Members noted that the Preparation for Government Committee had approved a one-week extension to 25 August for the sub-group to complete its report, subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State.

Members also noted that Naomi Long, Jim Wilson and Alban Maginness had been nominated as chairpersons for the sub-group.

The revised work plan was discussed and approved. It was agreed that no further oral evidence would be taken at this stage and that the additional week would be used to consider written submissions and a draft report.

Members were advised that the Quinn Group would be unable to attend the meeting on 10 August to give evidence, but had been asked for a written submission.

The forthcoming meeting on emerging themes was discussed and papers tabled.

The draft transcript of the meeting on 1 August was circulated to Members.

4. Evidence Sessions

The meeting continued in open session at 10.13am.

Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.27am.
Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.31am.

The sub-group took evidence from Sir George Quigley, Tony Hopkins and Michael Ryan of the Industrial Taskforce.

Dr Birnie left the meeting at 11.24am.
Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 11.24am as a substitute for Dr Birnie.

The sub-group took evidence from Peter Bunting, John Corey and Michael Kiddle of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NICICTU).

Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.24am.
Mr McNarry joined the meeting at 11.45am.
Mr Easton left the meeting at 12.04pm.

The sub-group took evidence from Will Haire and Dr Robson Davison from the Department of Education.

The meeting was suspended at 1.10pm.

Mr Neeson and Mr Beggs left the meeting at 1.10pm.

The meeting was reconvened at 1.30pm.

The sub-group took evidence from Dr Aideen McGinley, Catherine Bell and Chris McConkey from the Department for Employment and Learning.

Mr McNarry left the meeting at 2.10pm.
The meeting continued in closed session at 2.12pm.

5. Any Other Business

Members agreed a draft press release for issue, subject to minor amendments.

6. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Thursday 3 August 2006 at 3.30pm.

The meeting adjourned at 2.15pm.