Minutes of Proceedings - 16 October 2001

Present: 
Mr Roger Hutchinson MLA, Chairperson
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Gerry McHugh MLA
Prof. Monica McWilliams MLA
Dr Dara O'Hagan MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

Attendees:  
Mr Tony Logue, Committee Clerk
Mr Damien McVeigh

Apologies: 
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mr Billy Bell MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA

2.05pm the meeting opened in private session-Mr R Hutchinson in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apologies were noted.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings

Dr O'Hagan proposed that under section 5 of the draft Minutes of Proceedings, the word "terrorist" be replaced by the word "scheduled".  This amendment was agreed and the Chairperson put the question.

Resolved, that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for Tuesday, 9 October 2001, as amended, be agreed.

3. Matters arising

No matters were raised.

4. Correspondence

Members noted written submissions from Victims Support (Northern Ireland) and the Committee on the Administration of Justice. 

The Chairperson advised members that representatives from Victims Support (NI) would attend the Committee's meeting on Tuesday, 23 October 2001 and that representatives from the Committee on the Administration of Justice would attend the Committee's meeting on Thursday, 25 October 2001.

5. Evidence from the Compensation Agency

2.16pm The Chairperson called the witnesses and declared the meeting open to the public.

Members heard evidence from Mr Frank Brannigan; Chief Executive of the Compensation Agency, on the operational running of the current scheme, and how in practice the Compensation Agency will administer the new tariff scheme.  Mr Brannigan was accompanied by two senior officials from the Northern Ireland Office's Criminal Justice Services Division who were in attendance to clarify any points of a factual nature about the draft proposals.  The officials were Mr Mark McGukin, Head of the Criminal Services Division and Ms Amanda Patterson, Head of the Compensation Policy Unit.

6. Any other business

No other matters were raised.

7. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would next meet on Thursday, 16 October 2001 to hear evidence from the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.

3.38pm the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
23 October 2001