Minutes of Proceedings - 09 January 2001

Present:
Mr Alban Maginness MLA (Chairperson)
Mr William Bell MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Fraser Agnew MLA
Mr Seamus Close MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA 
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Pat McNamee MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA
Mr Mark Robinson MLA
Mr Sammy Wilson MLA

In Attendance:
Dr Andrew C Peoples (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mrs Gillian Lewis
Mr Hugh Widdis

Meeting opened at 10.38am in public session.

1. Apologies

None.

2. Approval of draft minutes of previous proceedings

The minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairperson.

3. Matters arising from meeting of 8 January 2001

The Chairperson informed members that the Criminal Assets Bureau, Dublin had provided a copy of its Annual Report 1999. This together with written submissions from the Association of British Insurers and the Queen's University of Belfast School of Law were issued to members.

4. Evidence from Northern Ireland Bankers' Association

Evidence on the Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001 was taken from Mrs Patricia Beckett, Mr Robert Irvine, Mrs Irene Martin, Mr Bill McAlister and Mr Dennis Power of the Northern Ireland Bankers' Association.

5. Evidence from Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Evidence on the Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001 was taken from Professor Brice Dickson and Ms Maggs O'Conor of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. A final written submission will be sent to the Committee.

11.43am Mr Ervine left the meeting.

12.10pm Ms Lewsley and Mr McClarty left the meeting.

6. Evidence from The Law Society of Northern Ireland

Evidence on the Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001 was taken from Mr John Bailie, Mr Nigel Broderick, Mr Patrick Kinney and Mr John Neill of The Law Society of Northern Ireland. A written submission will be forwarded to the Committee.

7. Format of Report

A draft report will be prepared and distributed to members on Monday 15 January 2001.

Action: Clerk.

8. Any other business

The Assembly Research and Library Service provided a research brief on the comparison of the proposals within the Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001 with other countries.

9. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee is to be held on Tuesday, 16 January 2001 at 10.30am in Room 152 in Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.00pm.

Alban Maginness MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee - Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001
16 January 2001