Minutes of Proceedings

In the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson opened the meeting at 10.05am in public session.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of 13 February 2013

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.

The Committee agreed to consider Correspondence next.

The Chairperson, Mr McKay, joined the meeting and took the Chair at 10.08am.

4. Correspondence

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

• Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Invitation to the meeting of Chairpersons of Finance Committees in EU legislatures, 24-25 February 2013, Dublin.
Mr Weir joined the meeting at 10.09am.
Agreed: the Chairperson and Clerk will attend the meeting, and the Clerk will provide a written report of the meeting to the Committee.
• DFP: Monitoring of Post-Project Evaluations quarter ending 31 December 2012.
Agreed: to copy the correspondence to the other statutory committees and to the NI Audit Office via the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr McQuillan joined the meeting at 10.10am.
Mr Girvan joined the meeting at 10.10am.

• Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment: Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Agreed: to forward the correspondence to DFP for response as requested.
• Law Society of Northern Ireland: response regarding regulation of solicitors.
Agreed: to copy the Law Society correspondence to the member of the public who raised issues on this matter, together with a response from the Committee.
• Committee for Employment and Learning: NI's application to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.
Agreed: to forward the correspondence to DFP for response as requested.
• Northern Ireland Place-Name Project (NIPNP): note of appreciation in respect of the launch of the online database which was hosted by the Committee.
Agreed: members will provide any feedback directly to the NIPNP.
• Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: Procurement procedure for the purchase of trees.
Agreed: to forward the correspondence to DFP for response as requested.
• Assembly Research and Information Service briefing note: Spending Review 2013.
Agreed: to forward the briefing note to DFP for response to the issues raised.
• DFP: Outcome of the January Monitoring Round and the Chancellor's 2012 Autumn Statement.
Agreed: to request a briefing in closed session from the applicable departmental officials on the issues arising from the procurement process for the Titanic Signature Project, including the options for ensuring that Northern Ireland does not lose the £18m in European Funding.
• DFP: Update on Terms of Reference for the research into Northern Ireland's air connectivity.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.23am.

The Committee agreed to consider the Work Programme next.

5. Committee Work Programme

Public Service Pensions Bill
Agreed: the Committee will take evidence from Trade Union representatives on the Public Service Pensions Bill at its meeting on 27 February 2013. The Committee will copy a DFP briefing paper and correspondence relating to the Public Service Pensions Bill to the Trade Union representatives for information in advance of the meeting.

Flexible Working Inquiry
The Committee noted that Emma Stewart, the Director of "Women Like Us", will brief members at next week's meeting via a sound conference call.
Agreed: the Secretariat will prepare a list of issues for discussion, which will be shared with Emma Stewart in advance of the evidence session.

6. European Commission Work Programme Pilot Project – Consideration of Committee Response

The Committee noted a response from DFP regarding its priorities for the European Commission Work Programme.

The Committee considered a draft response to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) on the European Commission Work Programme Pilot Project.

Mr McIlveen left the meeting at 10.29am.

Agreed: to issue the response to the OFMdFM Committee.

7. European Priorities

The Committee noted DFP's response regarding the draft copy of the Executive's European Priorities for 2013-14.
Agreed: to forward the response to the OFMdFM Committee.

8. Subordinate Legislation

The Committee considered the following proposal for a statutory rule:
The draft New NAV List (Time of Valuation) Order 2013
Mr McIlveen returned to the meeting at 10.30am.
Agreed: that the Committee has considered DFP's proposal for subordinate legislation under the draft New NAV List (Time of Valuation) Order (NI) 2013, and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.

9. Any Other Business

None.

10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Finance and Personnel Committee will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2013 at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10.31am.

Mr Daithí McKay MLA
Chairperson
Committee for Finance and Personnel
27 February 2013