Present:
Mr Danny Kennedy
Mr Raymond McCartney
Mr Alban Maginness
Mr Declan O’Loan
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr
Mr David Simpson
Mr Peter Weir
Attendees:
Mr Kevin Shiels, Committee Clerk
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor, Clerk
Mr Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
Mr Lindsay Dundas, Clerical Officer
Apologies:
Mr Tom Elliott
Mr Stephen Farry
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Jimmy Spratt
Mr John O’Dowd
2.07pm the meeting opened in closed session with the Committee Clerk in the Chair.
-
Apologies
The apologies were noted.
-
Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
The Clerk took the chair for the election of a committee chairperson and asked for nominations. Mr Simpson proposed that Mr Weir be Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Paisley Jnr seconded the proposal. Mr Weir accepted the proposal. There were no other nominees.
Agreed: That Mr Weir be Chairperson of the Committee.
The Chairperson took the chair for the election of a Deputy Chairperson and asked for nominations. Mr Paisley Jnr proposed that Mr Maginness be Deputy Chairperson of the Committee. Mr O’Loan seconded the proposal. Mr Maginness accepted the proposal. There were no other nominees.
Agreed: That Mr Maginness be Deputy Chairperson of this Committee.
2.09pm the Committee opened in public session
-
Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson invited Members in turn to declare any amendments to the Register of Members’ Interests.
-
Committee composition and procedures
Members noted the Committee composition and procedures which had been circulated in advance.
-
Draft Forward Work Programme
Members noted the draft forward work programme and discussed possible dates for future meetings.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee should meet on Tuesday afternoons at 3.00pm.
Agreed: Members agreed to invite the following organisations to give oral evidence before the Committee:
On 23rd September:
- Northern Ireland Officials accompanied by representatives of Department of Finance and Personnel and the Compensation Agency.
Agreed: Members agreed that the NIO Minister should be invited to attend, if available.
On 30th September
- The Ancient Order of Hibernians
- The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
On 7th October
- The Law Society
- The Association of Insurers
-
Press Notice
Members noted a draft press notice prepared by the Clerk for publication.
Agreed: Members agreed the content of the press notice and were content that the notice should be published on Monday 22 nd September.
2.29pm Mr Simpson left the meeting
-
Any other business
The Chairperson advised Members that legal advice, if required, could be provided to the Committee by Hugh Widdis, the Assembly Legal Advisor.
Agreed: Members agreed that a press release should be issued to inform the public of the formation of the Committee and its remit.
-
Date and time of next meeting
The Committee agreed that it would meet on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 3pm.
Future meetings are as follows:
Tuesday 30 September 3pm
Tuesday 7 October 3pm
Wednesday 14 October 3pm
2.34pm the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
Mr Peter Weir MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
23 September 2008
