Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government

29 August 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 29 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy 

Present: P J Bradley
Dr Sean Farren
David Ford
Michelle Gildernew MP
Danny Kennedy
Dr William McCrea MP
Alan McFarland
Michael McGimpsey
David McNarry 
Alex Maskey
Conor Murphy MP
Ian Paisley Jnr
Peter Robinson MP

In Attendance: Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Christine Darrah (Assembly Clerk)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
David Douglas (Clerical Officer)
Peter Gilleece (Senior Researcher)

Observing: Jim Wells (Chairperson)
Richard Bullick (DUP researcher) from 11.40am.
Mark Neal (UUPAG researcher) from 11.40am. 

The meeting commenced at 10.08am.

1. Apologies

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

Mrs Long

Dr McDonnell MP

Mr McGuinness MP (Mr Maskey attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuinness MP)

Lord Morrow (Mr Robinson attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Lord Morrow)

2. Hansard Reports

It was agreed that the Clerk to the Committee should write to the Speaker about the length of time taken to produce Hansard Reports of some of the Committee meetings.

3. Report of the Sub-group on Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland

It was agreed that the Committee’s deliberations on the sub-group’s report would not be included in Hansard.

The Committee then considered the report. It was agreed that some editorial changes were required and the report should then be referred back to the Committee for further consideration at its meeting on Monday, 4 September 2006.

The meeting was suspended at 11.40am.

Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.40am.

Mr McGimpsey joined the meeting at 11.40am as the UUPAG representative in place of Mr McNarry

The meeting reconvened at 11.57am.

4. Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of Monday, 21 August 2006 were agreed.

5. Matters Arising

The Committee was advised that at the meeting on Wednesday, 23 August 2006, it was agreed that responsibility for firearms and explosives licensing should lie with the Minister for Public Safety.

The Committee noted the information provided on the work of the North/South Ministerial Council, the North/South Implementation Bodies and the British Irish Council.

The Committee noted the information provided on the remit of the Northern Ireland Audit Office in relation to the North/South Implementation Bodies.

6. Discussion on Institutional Issues.

Mr Wells joined the meeting at 12.05pm.

It was agreed that further consideration would be given to any proposition for an overarching Council of the Isles.

7. Any Other Business

The Chairperson reminded members that they had until Friday, 1 September 2006 to submit any comments on the draft Ministerial Code prior to discussion at the next meeting.

8. Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Wednesday, 30 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings to discuss issues relating to law and order.

It was agreed that the meeting on Monday, 4 September 2006 would be an all-day meeting with lunch provided.

The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm.