Minutes of Proceedings - 06 June 2002
Present:
Mr Gregory Campbell MLA, Chairperson
Mr Alban Maginness MLA, Deputy Chairperson
Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA
Professor Monica McWilliams MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA
Attendees:
Mr Tony Logue, Committee Clerk
Ms Hilary Bogle
Ms Pauline Innes
Apologies:
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA
Mr Danny O'Connor MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
2.52pm the meeting opened in private session-the Clerk in the Chair.
1. Apologies
The apologies were noted.
2. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
The Clerk called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson. Mr Maginness proposed that: Mr Campbell be the Chairperson of this Committee. Mr Shipley Dalton seconded this and the nomination was accepted.
On there being no further nominations the Clerk put the question without debate.
Resolved, that Mr Campbell, being the only candidate proposed, be Chairperson of this Committee.
2.55pm Mr Campbell in the Chair.
The Chairperson thanked members for their support and sought nominations for the position of Committee Deputy Chairperson. Professor McWilliams proposed that: Mr Maginness be the Deputy Chairperson of this Committee. Mr Shipley Dalton seconded this and the nomination was accepted.
On there being no further nominations the Chairperson put the question without debate.
Resolved, that Mr Maginness being the only candidate proposed, be Deputy Chairperson of this Committee.
3. Declaration of Interests
Mr Shipley Dalton, Mr Maginness and Mr Weir declared that they were members of the Bar.
4. Procedures of the Committee
The Chairperson referred members to a memorandum from the Committee Clerk on the procedures of the Committee contained in their briefing papers.
Resolved,
Witnesses-the Committee agreed to take evidence from relevant bodies as part of its proceedings.
Voting-the Committee agreed that in the absence of consensus, simple majority would determine all decisions.
Minutes of Evidence-the Committee agreed that in the event that any members are unable to attend an evidence session, the uncorrected Minutes of Evidence would be copied to those members for their information.
Public meetings-the Committee agreed that it would hold all evidence sessions in public.
Deputies-the Committee agreed to use deputies. Mr Weir deputised for Mr Paisley Jnr for the remainder of the meeting.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted a memorandum from the Committee Clerk setting out a proposed forward work programme.
The Committee agreed to invite the following bodies to give evidence-
Lord Chancellor's Department;
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission:
Northern Ireland Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux;
The Law Society of Northern Ireland; and
The General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.
It was further agreed that any further nominations to invite bodies to give evidence would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee and that a Press Release should be issued seeking written submissions to the Committee by any interested parties.
Action: Clerk
6. Draft Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2002
Members noted the contents of the draft Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 together with the Explanatory Memorandum, the Decisions Paper "The Way Ahead", the Consultation Paper "Public Benefit and the Public Purse", the Explanatory Document and a briefing paper from Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Library Services.
Members conducted an initial analysis of the proposal for a draft Order in Council with assistance from the Northern Ireland Assembly Legal Advisor Service.
Any other business
No other matters were raised.
7. Date and time of next meeting
The Committee agreed that it would next meet on Tuesday, 11 June 2002 at 10.30am in room 144 to hear evidence from the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
3.16pm the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
Mr Gregory Campbell MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
11 June, 2002
