Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government

31 July 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 31 July 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy

Present: P J Bradley
Gregory Campbell MP
Dr Sean Farren
Arlene Foster 
David Ford
Naomi Long
Alan McFarland
David McNarry
Conor Murphy MP
John O’Dowd
Peter Robinson MP
Jim Wilson

In Attendance: Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Pauline Innes (Clerical Officer)

Observing Jim Wells (Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 10.03am.

1. Apologies

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

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

Mr Kennedy (Mr Wilson attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr Kennedy)

Dr McCrea MP (Ms Foster attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Dr McCrea MP)

Dr McDonnell MP

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

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

Mr McGuinness MP

2. Previous Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of 26 July 2006 were agreed. 

3. Institutional Issues

The Committee considered papers from the Alliance Party, DUP and SDLP and all parties gave a short presentation outlining their views.

It was agreed that the Clerk would produce a list of the institutional issues under the headings of Strands One, Two and Three of the Belfast Agreement for issue to the parties on Wednesday, 2 August 2006. This would allow the parties time to amend the list before the next Committee meeting on institutional issues on Monday 7 August.

Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 11.58am.

It was agreed to ask the Secretary of State to send the Committee a copy of any report prepared following the meetings between the parties and David Hanson, Minister of State, around 6 to 8 months ago as this may assist the Committee in its deliberations on institutional issues.

Mr Wells left the meeting at 12.05pm.

4. Referral by the Secretary of State on 3 July – draft Programme for Government

It was agreed to note this issue for discussion at a future meeting.

5. Draft Committee Work Programme

The Committee agreed to ask the Secretary of State if there is any leeway in the dates for the first plenary meetings after recess, currently suggested as 4 and 5 September 2006 as the Committee and the sub-group on the Economic Challenges facing Northern Ireland have heavy workloads and may not be in a position to put forward any motions in time for debate on 4 and 5 September 2006. 

6. Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Wednesday 2 August 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings to discuss law and order issues.

It was agreed that the meeting on Monday 7 August to discuss institutional issues should be an all-day meeting with lunch provided.

The meeting adjourned at 12.11pm.