PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 18 December 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Jim Wells
Present: Alex Attwood
Fred Cobain
Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Mark Durkan MP
Sir Reg Empey
Michelle Gildernew MP
Martin McGuinness MP
Edwin Poots
Peter Robinson MP
Caitriona Ruane
In Attendance: Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Damien Martin (Assembly Clerk)
John Power (Head of Research and Library Services)
Eileen Regan (Research and Library Services)
Robert Barry (Research and Library Services)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Pauline Hunter (Clerical Officer)
Observing: Brian Barrington (SDLP Researcher)
Richard Bullick (DUP Researcher)
Michelle McDermott (SF Researcher)
Mark Neale (UUP Researcher)
The meeting commenced at 1.05pm.
1. Apologies
Gerry Adams MP (Ms Ruane attended as SF representative in place of Mr Adams MP.)
David McClarty (Mr Cobain attended as the UUP representative in place of Mr McClarty.)
Ian Paisley Jnr (Mr Poots attended as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley.)
Margaret Ritchie (Mr Attwood attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Ms Ritchie.)
2. Previous Minutes
The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 11 December 2006.
3. Matters Arising
(a) Arrangements for chairing of sub-groups
The Committee noted the table providing details of the chairpersons of the sub-groups.
(b) Request for evidence in relation to victims and survivors issues
The Committee noted the list of organisations that have been invited to make written submissions on the relevant priorities for a restored Executive in respect of victims and survivors. Members will provide the Committee Clerk by 22 December 2006 with details of any other organisations they would wish to have added to the list.
Mr Durkan MP proposed that those organisations refused funding from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) should be identified and contacted. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
Mr Robinson MP proposed that an advertisement should be placed in local newspapers to invite submissions on this topic.
There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
4. Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy
The Committee discussed Lifetime Opportunities - the Government’s Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Ms Gildernew MP joined the meeting at 1.57pm.
Mr McGuinness MP left the meeting at 1.58pm.
Mr Robinson MP left the meeting at 2.04pm.
Dr Gerry Mulligan, Dr Stephen Donnelly and Pauline Millar, officials from OFMDFM, joined the meeting at 2.10pm and provided a briefing on the Lifetime Opportunities Strategy. The officials then answered questions from the Committee.
Sir Reg Empey left the meeting at 2.59pm.
Mr Robinson MP rejoined the meeting at 3.06pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.16pm.
Ms Ruane proposed that:-
(a) the Committee should write to those organisations and individuals who responded to the second consultation document on the anti-poverty strategyand seek views on the extent to which the Lifetime Opportunities Strategy will provide a satisfactory basis for a restored Executive to take forward action to tackle poverty and social exclusion; and
(b) the Committee should place advertisements in newspapers to seek wider views on the Strategy.
There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
It was also agreed that it was not necessary to write directly to political parties or Councils but that the Ulster Farmers Union, the Rural Development Council and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association should receive a letter inviting them to make submissions.
5. Draft Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order
The Chairperson proposed that this issue should be referred to the sub-group on Policing and Justice and the sub-group’s terms of reference should be amended accordingly. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
6. Letter from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) about a future meeting
The Committee considered a letter of 1 December 2006 from Professor Monica McWilliams, NIHRC, about a future meeting with the Committee.
Mr Attwood left the meeting at 3.38pm.
Mr Robinson MP proposed that, in light of recent developments, including the establishment of the Bill of Rights Forum, the Committee should write to Professor McWilliams to confirm that the proposed meeting is still desired. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
7. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted and agreed a Forward Work Programme.
8. AOB
(a) Memo from the Schools Admission Policy sub-group
The Committee considered a memorandum from the sub-group on Schools Admission Policy about the letter of 30 November 2006 from the Secretary of State’s Office to the Clerk Assistant. The sub-group was concerned at the limitations on officials giving information and advice to the Committee and its sub-groups. As requested by the sub-group, the Chairperson proposed that the Committee should advise the Secretary of State of its dissatisfaction at the limitations being placed on officials and the detrimental effect that this may have on the work of the sub-groups and Committee. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
(b) Press Release
The Chairperson proposed that a press release should be issued. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
9. Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 10.30am on Wednesday, 3 January 2007 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting after that would be held on 8 January 2007 at 1.00pm