Minutes of Proceedings - 18 December 2007

Present: 
Mr Alex Attwood 
Mr Alban Maginness (Chair) 
Mr Raymond McCartney (Deputy Chair) 
Mr Nelson McCausland 
Mr Alan McFarland 
Mr John O’Dowd 
Mr Peter Weir

Attendees:
Mr Kevin Shiels, Committee Clerk
Ms Roisin Fleetham, Assistant Clerk
Ms Linda Hare, Clerical Supervisor
Ms Jane Hanna, Clerical Officer 
Mr Peter Smith QC, LSRC 
Mr John McMullan, DOE 
Mr Harry Green, DOE

Apologies:
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín 
Dr Stephen Farry 
Mr Danny Kennedy 
Mr Jim Wells

2.10pm the meeting opened in public session Mr Maginness in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apologies were noted.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting 12 December 2007. They will be published on the website.

3. Matters Arising

A query had been raised at the last meeting in relation to the circumstances in which a discretionary life sentence or one of the new sentences (ICS or ECS) could be imposed. The clerk read the clarification received from NIO.

NIO also confirmed that when the Order is laid in Westminster it will be accompanied by an Explanatory document.

4. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson invited Members to declare any amended Declaration of Interests and forward it in writing to the Committee Clerk.

2.15pm Mr McCausland Joined the meeting

5. Oral Evidence Session - Chair of Life Sentence Review Commissioners

The Chair introduced Mr Peter Smith QC, Chairperson of the Life Sentence Review Commissioners. He gave a presentation to Members, highlighting his views on the impact of the proposed provisions relating to the Parole Commissioners. A question and answer session followed.

6. Briefing by Department of the Environment

DOE Officials Mr John McMullan and Mr Harry Green a presentation on the Driving Offences provisions contained in the Draft Order. Officials then answered questions from Members on the proposals.

7. Briefing from Clerk on future evidence sessions

The Clerk informed Members he had written to Assistant Chief Constable Ray Toner requesting that PSNI representatives attend the meeting on 9 January to deal with Drinking in Public Places provisions; and Road Traffic Offences. Members received a copy of the letter.

The Clerk informed Members that NIACRO, Human Rights Commission, Prison Service and PSNI would be attending the final evidence session on 9 January 2008 (Annex 1).

3.30 pm Closed Session

8. Discussion on possible recommendations for draft report

Members discussed initial views on the possible content of the Committee Report.

9. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would meet on Wednesday 9 January 2008 at 2pm in the Senate Chamber.

Future meetings are as follows:

Wednesday 16 January 2pm Senate Chamber

4.20pm the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
18 December 2007

Annex 1

Schedule of Future Evidence Sessions