Minutes of Proceedings - 19 December 2000

Present:
Mr Alban Maginness MLA (Chairperson)
Mr William Bell MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Fraser Agnew MLA
Mr Seamus Close MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Pat McNamee 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

Apologies:
Mr David Ervine MLA 
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

Meeting opened at 10.05am in closed session.

The Clerk in the Chair.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

The Clerk opened the meeting and notified the Committee that the two Democratic Unionist Party nominations had been changed to Mr Mark Robinson and Mr Sammy Wilson. Nominations for Chairperson were sought. Mr Close proposed that Mr Maginness take the Chair; Ms Lewsley seconded this. There were no further nominations. The question was put that Mr Maginness do take the Chair. Mr McNamee questioned if this was allowed as Mr Maginness is Chairperson of the Regional Development Committee. The meeting was suspended at 10.10am for the Clerk to seek advice on this matter.

Mr Bell joined the meeting at 10.11am.

The meeting resumed at 10.15am.

The Clerk informed the Committee that it was in order for Mr Maginness to chair the Regional Development Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee - Financial Investigations (NI) Order 2001 if elected. The Clerk put the question that Mr Maginness do take the chair. This was carried unanimously.

Mr Maginness in the Chair.

Nominations for Deputy Chairperson were sought. Mr Wilson proposed Mr Bell take the position of Deputy Chairperson; Mr Close seconded this. There were no further nominations. The question was put that Mr Bell take the position of Deputy Chairperson. This was carried unanimously.

3. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded members that they were required to declare any specific or other interests related to the work of this Committee. He asked each member to declare any interests. There were none in addition to those published in the Register of Members' Interests, Second Edition, June 2000.

4. Terms of Reference

The Chairperson outlined the Terms of Reference for the Committee.

5. Committee's Procedures

The members agreed to hold future meetings in public session and that voting would be by simple majority as in Standing Order 47(9). It was agreed not to have deputies.

6. Committee's Work Programme

The Committee debated the purpose and changes to the legislation following a brief presentation from the Assembly Research and Library Service and requested a research brief on the comparison of the proposals within the Financial Investigations (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 with other countries. Action: Clerk

As a result of the extremely tight deadlines set out in the Secretary of State's letter to Lord Alderdice, the Committee agreed to invite written and oral evidence from:

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise
Law Society of Northern Ireland 
Northern Ireland Banker's Association
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Royal Ulster Constabulary

The Committee agreed to invite written evidence from:

Association of British Insurers
Criminal Assets Bureau, Republic of Ireland 
European Commission Representation in Northern Ireland
General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
Liberty
National Criminal Intelligence Service
Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
Queen's University of Belfast, School of Law
University of Ulster, Faculty of Business and Management

Action: Clerk

7. Any other business

None.

Mr Bell and Mr Close left the meeting at 10.54am.

8. Dates of future meetings

The members agreed that the next two meetings of the Committee would be held on Monday, 8 January 2001 at 2.00pm in Room 135, and Tuesday, 9 January 2001 at 10.30am, in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10.59am.

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