Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10.05am in public session.

Agreed: that Agenda items 4, 5 and 6 are recorded by Hansard and the Official Report published on the Assembly website.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.

Mr Hilditch joined the meeting at 10.06am.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 12 September 2012

Agreed: that the minutes are published on the Assembly website.

3. Matters Arising
Table of Requests for Information from the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP)
The Committee noted the table of requests for information from DFP which provided an update on any matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Mr McQuillan joined the meeting at 10.07am.

The Committee agreed to consider Agenda Item 9 next.

4. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:

• Consumer Council: Ulster Bank Systems Failure

Agreed: to forward this correspondence to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment for its views on the Consumer Council's proposal for evidence to be taken from the Financial Services Authority.

5. Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill – Evidence from Mr Jim Allister QC MLA
The Committee took evidence from the Bill Sponsor, Mr Jim Allister QC MLA, on the provisions of the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

Mr Humphrey joined the meeting at 10.25am.
Mr Girvan joined the meeting at 10.48am.
Agreed: Mr Allister will provide additional information on the public consultation undertaken on the proposals for the Bill, as agreed during the evidence session.

6. Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill – Evidence from DFP
The Committee took evidence from Mr Derek Baker, Director, Corporate HR, DFP, on the implications of the Bill for the Department. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

Ms Fearon left the meeting at 11.01am.
Ms Fearon returned to the meeting at 11.05am.
Agreed: to copy the DFP briefing paper to Mr Allister for information and in line with normal protocol.

7. Civil Service (Special Advisers) Bill – Evidence from the Attorney General for Northern Ireland
The Committee took evidence from Mr John Larkin QC, Attorney General for Northern Ireland, on the Bill. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 11.42am.
Mr McQuillan returned to the meeting at 11.43am.
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 11.43am.
Mr Humphrey returned to the meeting at 11.44am.
Mr McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.49am.
Mr McLaughlin returned to the meeting at 11.57am.
Mrs Cochrane left the meeting at 12.00pm.
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 12.05pm.
Mr McQuillan left the meeting at 12.05pm.

Agreed: the Committee will consider requesting legal advice on the Bill from Assembly Legal Services in the event of the Bill being referred for Committee Stage.

8. Superannuation Bill – Initial Consideration of Draft Report
Members considered a working draft of the Committee's report on the Superannuation Bill.

Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 12.12pm.
Mr Hilditch returned to the meeting at 12.15pm.
Agreed: In welcoming informal notification of the Finance Minister's recent acceptance of the Committee's proposed amendment to the Bill, members agreed that, in advance of the Committee tabling the amendment for debate at Consideration Stage, the Department will be given an opportunity to agree the final wording of the amendment with the Committee, subject to there being no change to the effect of the amendment as already agreed by the Committee.
Agreed: Members will forward any comments they have in relation to the draft report to Committee staff by noon on Friday 21 September.

9. Subordinate Legislation
Members considered two pieces of subordinate legislation:

• SL1 – The Scheme for Construction Contracts in Northern Ireland (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

Agreed: that the Committee has considered DFP's proposal for subordinate legislation under The Scheme for Construction Contracts in Northern Ireland (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.

• SL1 – The Construction Contracts Exclusion Order (Northern Ireland) 2012

Agreed: that the Committee has considered DFP's proposal for subordinate legislation under The Construction Contracts Exclusion Order (Northern Ireland) 2012, and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.

10. Correspondence (Contd.)
Members noted the following items of correspondence:

• Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister: European Priorities 2012-13 Implementation Plan.
• DFP: response regarding Post Project Evaluations.

Ms Fearon left the meeting at 12.24pm.

• Minister of Finance and Personnel: Public Authority 2011-12 Annual Progress Report on Section 75 of the NI Act 1998 and Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 2006;
• Committee for Justice: Department of Justice correspondence regarding the NICS Equal Pay Settlement.

Agreed: the Committee will return to this issue when it next meets on 26 September.

11. Committee Work Programme
The Committee considered a draft of the Committee work programme.
Agreed: to request the Minister of Finance and Personnel to provide an update on progress in respect of the devolution of corporation tax powers at the Committee's meeting on 3 October.
Agreed: that the Committee work programme is amended to reflect decisions made today, and that the revised programme is published on the Assembly website.

12. Any Other Business

13. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.35pm.

Mr Daithí McKay MLA
Chairperson
Committee for Finance and Personnel
19 September 2012