| Office of the Speaker |
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP TO CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING NORTHERN IRELAND Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 5 September 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am. In the Chair: Francie Molloy Present: Dr Esmond Birnie In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk) The meeting commenced at 10.02m in closed session.
1. Apologies Mitchel McLaughlin (Mr McElduff attended the meeting as SF representative in place of Mr McLaughlin). Sean Neeson (Mr McCarthy attended the meeting as Alliance representative in place of Mr Neeson). Peter Weir (Mr Simpson attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Weir).
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 24 August 2006 These were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website. It was noted that, as agreed at the last meeting, these had been included in an appendix to the sub-group’s report to the Committee on the Preparation for Government as unapproved minutes. Ms Gildernew joined the meeting at 10.05am.
3. Matters Arising It was noted that the Committee on the Preparation for Government had approved the sub-group’s report at their meeting on 4th September 2006, subject to minor editorial amendments and an addition to the proposed terms of reference to include further consideration of an economic package. Members noted that, subject to confirmation by the Business Committee, the report may be debated on Monday 11 th and Tuesday 12 th September 2006. It was also noted that the draft transcript of today’s meeting would be forwarded to members on Wednesday 6 September with a 24-hour turnaround for receipt of proposed amendments. The finalised transcript would then be available in advance of any proposed debate on Monday 11 September 2006. Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 10.10am. The meeting continued in open session at 10.15am. Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.27am.
4. Evidence Sessions The sub-group took evidence from Maria Eagle, MP, the Minister responsible for the following departments, in relation to the sub-group’s terms of reference: Enterprise, Trade and Investment; The Minister was supported by the following officials: Stephen Quinn (DETI), David Woods (DE) and (Bernie O’Hare DEL). Dr Birnie left the meeting at 11.20am. The sub-group took evidence from Paddy Campbell, Ellen Donnelly and Ruth Porter from the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 12.20pm. Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 12.40pm. The meeting continued in closed session at 12.45pm.
5. Addendum to Main Report – Format and Content Issues Members agreed that the Hansard transcript of today’s evidence session should be forwarded to the Committee on the Preparation for Government as an addendum to the sub-group’s report.
6. Committee on the Preparation for Government Revised Report and Arrangements for Further Sub-group Meetings It was noted that the Minister had not yet received the sub-group’s report and it was agreed to ask that the Minister attend again, once the report had been released by the Committee on the Preparation for Government. It was also agreed that the Minister with responsibility for the Planning Service should also be asked to give evidence. Members noted the minor changes made to the sub-group’s report by the Committee on the Preparation for Government. Members noted the new terms of reference for the sub-group, as agreed by the Committee, which included the addition that the sub-group should undertake further work on how an economic package/peace dividend could contribute to economic regeneration. Members noted the deadlines set by the Committee for the completion of the sub-group’s work and agreed that the sub-group’s next meeting would be on Thursday 7 September and that the sub-group would then meet for an all-day session on each subsequent Thursday up to and including 19 October, in order to meet the Committee’s deadlines.
7. Economists – Recruitment Issues Members noted that approval had been given for the sub-group to appoint economists as special advisors and that a terms of reference would be drawn up for the sub-group’s approval at the next meeting. It was agreed that both Mike Smith and Graham Gudgeon should be included on the list of economists to be contacted.
8. Any Other Business Members agreed a press release for issue subject to minor amendment.
9. Next Meeting The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Thursday 7 September 2006 at 10.00am. The meeting adjourned at 12.57pm. |