Proceedings of the Committee on the Preparation for Government
6 September 2006
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 6 September 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Francie Molloy
Present: Dominic Bradley
Fred Cobain
Diane Dodds
Sean Farren
David Ford
Gerry Kelly
Raymond McCartney
Alan McFarland
Lord Morrow
Sean Neeson
Sammy Wilson MP
In Attendance: Nuala Dunwoody (Clerk Assistant)
Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Neil Currie (Assistant Clerk)
Elaine Farrell (Clerical Supervisor)
Tim Moore (Senior Researcher)
Observing: Jim Wells (Chairperson)
Ciaran Kearney (Sinn Fein researcher)
Richard Bullick (DUP researcher)
Mark Neale (UUPAG researcher)
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)
Mr Kennedy
Ms Long (Mr Neeson attended the meeting as Alliance representative in place of Ms Long)
Dr McCrea MP (Mrs Dodds attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Dr McCrea MP)
Mr McGuinness MP (Mr Kelly attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr McGuinness MP)
Mr McNarry (Mr Cobain attended the meeting as UUPAG representative in place of Mr McNarry)
Mr Murphy MP (Mr McCartney attended the meeting as Sinn Fein representative in place of Mr Murphy MP)
Mr Paisley (Mr Wilson MP attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley)
2. Previous Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 30 August 2006 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
- Letter from the Secretary of State dated 5 September 2006
The Committee noted the letter from the Secretary of State and agreed that the evidence session with the Secretary of State would be held in public.
- Firearms and Explosives – Options for Devolution
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.16am.
Mr Kelly proposed that this Committee agrees to full devolution in respect of prohibited and non-prohibited firearms. There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
Mr Bradley proposed that this Committee agrees to full devolution in respect of non-prohibited firearms on restoration or as soon as possible. There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
- Residual Justice Issues
Mr Bradley proposed that this Committee calls on the Government to review policy on the publication of reasons where there has been a failure to prosecute and the collapse of
prosecutions. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
Mrs Dodds joined the meeting at 10.36am.
Mr Cobain joined the meeting at 10.41am.
Mr Farren joined the meeting at 10.45am.
Mr Bradley proposed that this Committee agrees that the role of District Policing Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships should be reviewed in order to ensure best practice and effectiveness, and to maintain the accountability of the policing arrangements. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
- Definition of ‘Ceasefire’
The Committee noted a paper prepared by the Assembly Research Service on the definitions of ‘ceasefire’.
- Rule of Law Issues
Mr Ford left the meeting at 10.55am.
Mr Wilson proposed that this Committee believes that association with, or support for, those involved in criminal activity is incompatible with the holding of ministerial office. There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
It was agreed to refer the following proposal to the PfG Committee on Institutional Issues (meeting on 13 September): “This Committee believes that consideration should be given to incorporating in the Ministerial Pledge of Office, support for the rule of law and commitment to urging all others to do so. “
- Devolution of Policing and Justice
Mr Ford rejoined the meeting at 11.02am.
Mr Cobain left the meeting at 11.10am.
Mr Bradley proposed that this Committee believes that policing and justice should be devolved as soon as possible, but is not at this time able to define when. There was not consensus and the proposal fell.
- Devolution of appointments to, and operation of, the Parades Commission
Mr Cobain rejoined the meeting at 11.16am.
The Committee noted the response from the PfG Committee on Rights and Equality, that the Committee did not reach consensus that appointments to, and operation of, the Parades Commission should be devolved.
4. Draft PfG Committee Report on Law and Order Issues
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 11.32am.
Members considered the draft report and suggested amendments.
The Chairman proposed that the Committee agree the NIO proposals for devolution of Community Safety Partnerships. There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
Mr McFarland rejoined the meeting at 12.14pm.
5. Any Other Business
Official Report (Hansard)
The Committee noted that copies of the draft Official Report (Hansard) could be emailed to Members.
6. Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 10.00am on Friday, 8 September 2006 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings to discuss issues relating to Rights; Safeguards; Equality and Victims.
The next meeting on Law and Order issues will be held on Wednesday morning, 13 September 2006.
The meeting adjourned at 12.26pm.
