Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government

26 July 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 26 July 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Jim Wells (Francie Molloy took the Chair at 12.18pm)

Present: John Dallat
Diane Dodds
Dr Sean Farren
David Ford
Alan McFarland
Martin McGuinness MP
David McNarry
Lord Morrow
Conor Murphy MP
John O’Dowd
Margaret Ritchie
Tom Buchanan

In Attendance: Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Pauline Innes (Clerical Officer)
Peter Gilleece (Senior Researcher)

Observing Francie Molloy (Chairperson)
(until 12.18pm)

The meeting commenced at 10.10am.

1. Apologies

Mr Durkan MP (Mr Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Mr Durkin MP)

Ms Gildernew MP (Mr O’Dowd attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Ms Gildernew MP)

Mr Kennedy

Ms Long

Dr McCrea MP (Mr Buchanan attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Dr McCrea MP)

Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP (Ms Ritchie attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell MP)

Mr Paisley (Mrs Dodds attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley)

2. Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 24 July 2006 were agreed, subject to the following:-

• Item 3, line 1. Delete ‘It was agreed that the Committee should set up’’
• Insert ‘The Deputy Speaker asked for nominations from the parties for’

3. Table of issues raised by parties.

The parties considered the table of issues prepared from their written submissions and presentations.

The meeting was suspended at 10.33am.

The meeting reconvened at 10.55am.

It was agreed that Priorities for Government/Programme for Government would be considered under Agenda Item 3.

It was agreed that ‘(Institutional Issues)’ would be added after ‘Belfast Agreement’

It was agreed to include ‘Voting System’ as an issue within Institutional Issues.

It was agreed to include ‘Peaceful Summer’ within ‘Good Relations’ and to include this in the section on Rights; safeguards; equality issues; victims.

It was agreed to move ‘Parades’ from Law and Order Issues to Rights; Safeguards; equality issues; victims.

It was agreed to include ‘Community Restorative Justice’ within the section on Law and Order Issues.

It was agreed to include ‘Intelligence Services’ within the section on Law and Order Issues.

It was agreed to change ‘Unionist Culture’ within Rights; safeguards; equality issues; victims to -
‘Culture – Ethnic Communities
Nationalist
Unionist’

It was agreed that the issue of Victims, Truth and Reconciliation should be treated as two issues, namely, ‘Victims’ and ‘Truth and Reconciliation’.

Mr Molloy joined the meeting at 11.30am to discuss this item.

Under ‘Other’ it was agreed to change the description to ‘Other issues which may be raised that are of concern, or of interest, to the parties.’

It was agreed that the Secretary of State should be asked to invite the Alliance Party, the SDLP and the UUPAG to each nominate a member who, along with the two Deputy Speakers, would comprise a list of chairs for chairing meetings of the sub-group on the Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland. Those on the list would chair the meetings of the sub-group on an alternating basis.

It was agreed that the two Deputy Speakers should continue to chair meetings of the Preparation for Government Committee.

It was agreed that the Committee would meet on Mondays to address Institutional Issues, on Wednesdays to address Law and Order Issues and on Fridays to address Rights; safeguards; equality issues; victims. Each meeting will start at 10.00am.

It was agreed that one researcher from each party may sit at the back of the room during these meetings.

It was agreed that witnesses would be called, if necessary.

It was agreed that each party would submit a paper on Institutional Issues to the Clerk by lunchtime on Friday 28 July 2006; on Law and Order Issues by lunchtime on Monday 31 July 2006 and on Rights; safeguards; equality issues; victims by lunchtime on Wednesday, 2 August 2006.

Mr Molloy took the Chair at 12.18pm.

4. Committee Work Programme – referral by the Secretary of State on 3 July (draft Programme for Government and draft Ministerial Code)

It was agreed to deal with this matter at a future meeting.

5. Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Monday, 31 July 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.24pm.