Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 11:06am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 15 January 2008

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2008 as amended.

3. Chairperson’s Business

3.1 Short term forward work programme

Members discussed proposals for a short term forward work programme to enable the Committee to complete its report into the devolution of policing and justice matters.

Agreed:

• That the meeting scheduled for Tuesday 29 January would be cancelled
• That the Clerk liaise with the Business Office to schedule a debate in the Assembly on the Inquiry into the devolution of policing and justice.

That meetings would be scheduled for the following dates:

• Thursday 31 January, 2pm (private session) to consider party position papers and begin party deliberations.
• Tuesday 5 February , 10.30am (public session) to consider the draft legislation proposed by the NIO and to continue party deliberations.
• Thursday 7 February, 2pm (private session) to conclude party deliberations and agree the terms of the motion to be submitted to the Business Committee.
• Tuesday 12 February, 10.30am (private session) to consider a draft of the report and discuss and agree any final amendments.
• Thursday 14 February, 2.00pm (private session) to agree the terms of the report.

3.2 Reception for Criminal Justice Week

Members noted the request from the Speaker that Members register their interest in attending a reception on Tuesday 19 February at 6.30pm in the Great Hall to mark Criminal Justice Week.

Agreed: That the Clerk respond to the Speaker’s Office to confirm that invitations to the reception for Criminal Justice Week would be welcomed.

3.3 Review of Assembly Functions

Members noted two motions submitted recently regarding the review of the structures and functions of the Assembly.

4. Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice

Members noted the letter from OFMdFM dated 21 January 2008 setting out the terms on which Sir Nigel Hamilton had agreed to brief the Committee.

4.1 Evidence session with Sir Nigel Hamilton and his officials, Neill Jackson and Geoffrey Simpson from OFMdFM and Tony Canavan from the Departmental Solicitor’s Office

The following interests were declared:

Jeffrey Donaldson:

• Member, Her Majesty’s Privy Council
• Member , Northern Ireland Policing Board

Ian McCrea:

• Member, Cookstown District Policing Partnership

Members heard evidence from Sir Nigel Hamilton and his officials. The session was recorded by Hansard.

11.57 John O’Dowd joined the meeting
12.04 Nelson McCausland left the meeting

4.2 Letter from NIO re number of Ministerial Departments

Members noted the letter from the NIO dated 18 January 2008 clarifying the mechanisms for creating a new Department and how this relates to the number of Ministerial offices.

12.10 Raymond McCartney left the meeting

4.3 Letter from the Legal Services Commission

Members noted the letter from the Legal Services Commission dated 18 January 2008 regarding the future status of the Legal Services Commission ‘post devolution’.

Agreed: That the issues raised in the letter from the Legal Services Commission should be included in the final report as part of the list of issues for consideration by any future Minister / Ministers of policing and justice.

4.4 Structure and Accountability

Members noted the outstanding issues to be addressed in the party position papers on structure and accountability.

Members noted that the Clerk has written to the NIO to request clarification on a number of unresolved issues raised at last week’s meeting.

Agreed:

• That the Clerk revisit the written and oral evidence from the NI Policing Board to establish whether they stated a view on the future membership the Policing Board and any scrutiny Committee on policing and justice.
• That members would submit their party position papers by close of play on Monday 28 January.

Members noted that Part 2, Section 25, of the Justice ( Northern Ireland) Act 2002 allows for the Attorney General to participate in proceedings of the Assembly to the extent permitted by its standing orders.

Agreed: That the Clerk draft a letter from the Chairperson to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures to give notice of the need to amend the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

5. Draft Press Release

Members agreed the draft press release.

6. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 31 January at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.03pm.

RT HON JEFFREY DONALDSON, MP
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
5 February 2008