Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government
20, 21 and 22 June 2006
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 20 June, Wednesday, 21 June and Thursday 22 June 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Francie Molloy
Present: John Dallat
Diane Dodds
Dr Sean Farren
David Ford
Michelle Gildernew MP
Danny Kennedy
Naomi Long
David McClarty
Dr William McCrea MP
Alan McFarland
Patsy McGlone
Martin McGuinness MP
Maurice Morrow
Conor Murphy MP
In Attendance: Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Pauline Innes (Clerical Officer)
Peter Gilleece (Senior Researcher)
The meeting commenced at 10.05am.
1. Apologies
Mr Durkan MP (Mr Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan MP)
Dr McDonnell (Mr McGlone attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell)
Mr Paisley (Mrs Dodds attended the meeting as the DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley)
Mr McGimpsey (Mr McClarty attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr Kennedy)
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
The Committee agreed the minutes of the last meeting subject to the following:-
In para 5.1, delete ‘2.30pm’ and insert ’12.30pm’.
3. Presentations on papers from parties
1. At 10.12am Mr Ford made a presentation on behalf of the Alliance Party and took questions from the other parties.
Questions to the Alliance Party concluded at 10.59am.
2. At 11.00am Dr McCrea made a presentation on behalf of the DUP and took questions from the other parties.
Mr Dallat joined the meeting at 11.25am.
The meeting was suspended at 12.27pm.
The meeting reconvened at 2.03pm.
4. Apologies
Mr Durkan (Mrs Ritchie attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan.)
Ms Gildernew (Mr O’Dowd attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Ms Gildernew.)
Mr Kennedy (Mr Armstrong attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr Kennedy.)
Mr McGimpsey (Mr Mc`Narry attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr McGimpsey.)
The meeting continued with questions to the DUP.
Ms Long rejoined the meeting at 3.45pm.
Observing: Jim Wells (Chairperson) from 4.02pm.
Questions to the DUP concluded at 4.10pm.
The meeting was suspended at 4.11pm.
The meeting reconvened at 4.27pm.
5. Working Group on economic challenges facing Northern Ireland
1. The Committee considered a letter from the Speaker to the Committee enclosing correspondence she had received from the Secretary of State about the establishment of the working group on the economy.
2. Dr McCrea proposed that the Committee asks the Secretary of State by direction to set up the working group on the economy and invite the Business Committee to determine membership and arrangements for chairing the Committee.
There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
3. Mrs Long proposed that the Committee records its agreement that a working group should be set up.
There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
The meeting was suspended at 5.25pm.
The meeting reconvened on Wednesday, 21 June 2006 at 10.06am.
In the Chair: Jim Wells
Observing: Francie Molloy
6. Apologies
Mr Durkan (Mr Maginness attended the meeting as the SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan.)
Ms Gildernew (Mr Maskey attended the meeting as the Sinn Fein representative in place of Ms Gildernew.)
Mr McGimpsey (Mr McNarry attended the meeting as the UUPAG representative in place of Mr McGimpsey.)
Mr McGuinness (Mr O’Dowd attended the meeting as the Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuinness.)
It was agreed that the Chairperson would seek a ruling from the Speaker on whether the rules of order in the Chamber can be applied by the Committee Chairpersons.
7. Presentations on papers from parties
At 10.24am Mr Murphy made a presentation on behalf of Sinn Fein and took questions from the other parties.
The meeting was suspended at 12.01pm.
The meeting reconvened at 13.32pm.
In the Chair: Francie Molloy
Ms Gildernew joined the meeting.
8. Apologies
Mr Durkan (Mrs Ritchie attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan.)
Dr McCrea (Mr McCausland attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Dr McCrea.)
The meeting continued with questions to Sinn Fein.
Mrs Long left the meeting at 2.58pm.
Mr Neeson joined the meeting at 2.58pm as the Alliance Party representative in place of Ms Long.
The meeting was suspended at 3.56pm
The meeting reconvened at 10.05am on Thursday 22 June 2006
In the Chair: Jim Wells
9. Apologies
Mr Durkan MP (Ms Lewsley attended as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkan)
Ms Gildernew
Mr McGuiness MP (Mr O’Dowd attended as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuiness)
Dr McDonnell MP (Mr Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell)
Mr McGimpsey (Mr McNarry attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr McGimpsey)
Mr Paisley
10. Meetings week beginning 26 June
It was agreed that the Committee would meet at 12.00 noon on Monday 26 June 2006 to hear the presentations from the SDLP and the UUPAG, and would meet at 10.00am on Wednesday 28 June 2006.
11. Presentations on papers from parties
Questions to Sinn Fein resumed at 10.15am.
Ms Lewsley left the meeting at 11.03am
Mr Kennedy left the meeting at 11.57am
Mrs Long left the meeting at 11.59am
Questions to Sinn Fein concluded at 12.29pm.
Meeting adjourned at 12.30pm
