PRESS NOTICE
COMMITTEE ON THE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
| 4 December 2006 | PN 02/06 |
COMMITTEE PRESSES AHEAD ON WORK TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR A RESTORED EXECUTIVE
The Programme For Government Committee met today in Parliament Buildings to start work on the significant workload needed to agree priorities for a restored Executive and to make preparations for restoration.
At the meeting on 27 November, the Committee agreed a work programme up to 30 January 2007. This included the setting up of a number of sub-groups to consider:-
(a) Economic Issues
(b) Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning
(c) Schools Admission Policy
(d) Policing and Justice
(e) Workplace 2010 and Public Sector Jobs Location
(f) Comprehensive Spending Review; Programme for Government; Rates Charges and Water Reform
Each sub-group will report back to the Committee during the next few weeks.
Officials from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister attended today’s meeting and gave a briefing on proposed changes to the Ministerial Code. After the briefing, the officials answered questions from the Committee. The Committee will next consider issues relating to Victims and the Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Francie Molloy, who chaired today’s meeting, said ‘The setting up of the sub-groups is a positive step forward and will ensure that these vital issues are given due consideration before referral back to the Committee. This process will allow the Committee to deliberate on a wide range of issues and priorities for a restored Executive.’
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
On 24 November 2006, following a direction from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Peter Hain MP, the Business Committee established a Programme for Government Committee to consider the priorities for a new Executive and to make preparations for restoration. The Secretary of State directed that the Committee should, initially, be chaired by the deputy presiding officers, Mr Jim Wells and Mr Francie Molloy.
Information about today’s meeting can be obtained from the
the Information Officer -
Mr Paddy Price
Information Office
Room B2
Parliament Buildings
Belfast
028 90 521137