Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 11.04am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

The Chairperson reported that Mr Simon Hamilton and Mr Ian Paisley Jnr had been appointed to the Committee in place of Mr Ian McCrea and Mr George Robinson.

Agreed: Members agreed that letters should be sent to Mr McCrea and Mr Robinson, thanking them for their services to the Committee.

The Chairperson invited Mr Hamilton to declare relevant interests.

Mr Hamilton declared the following interests:

• Member of Ards Borough Council
• (register of interests)*

2. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 9 September 2008

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2008.

3. Matters arising

3.1 Dual Mandates

Members noted that the Clerk had written to the Clerk of the Environment Committee to request that the Minister be asked to agree to an early meeting.

3.2 Efficiency Review Panel

Members noted that the Clerk had written to OFMdFM to reiterate the Committee’s desire for a meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to matters of mutual, and overlapping, interest.

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr joined the meeting at 11.07am

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Paisley to the meeting and invited him to declare relevant interests.

Mr Paisley declared the following interests:

• Member of the Policing Board
• (register of interests)**

3.3 Visit by German Parliamentarians

Members noted a briefing paper in relation to the visit by a delegation of German parliamentarians.

4. Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters

In relation to the matter of the devolution of policing and justice matters, the Chairperson declared the following interests:

• Member of the Policing Board

The Chairperson invited Members to declare their relevant interests.

Members declared the following interests:

Alex Maskey

• Member of the Policing Board

Ian Paisley Jnr

• Member of the Policing Board

4.1 Invitation for First Minister and deputy First Minister to appear before the Committee

The Chairperson advised Members that he had received a response from OFMdFM in relation to the invitation to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appear before the Committee on 16 th September 2008 to discuss matters relating to the devolution of policing and justice. The Chairperson explained that the letter indicated that, due to diary commitments, the First Minister and deputy First Minister would be unable to appear before the Committee but that they had extended an offer to meet with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Monday 15 th September 2008.

The Chairperson briefed the Committee in detail on the discussions, and a comprehensive briefing note was also provided to Members.

Following extensive discussions, the Committee decided on a number of actions:

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to OFMdFM seeking

• a detailed list of issues which the First Minister and deputy First Minister agree that the Committee might usefully consider
• a further list of issues which the First Minister and deputy First Minister had not yet reached agreement on but which might be considered by the Committee; and
• an assessment of the timing of any potential devolution of policing and justice matters.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Chairperson should write to the leaders of all the political parties represented in the Assembly, seeking their views on those issues the Committee should consider in its work on the devolution of policing and justice matters.

Agreed: Members agreed to consider responses from the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the leaders of the Political Parties at the next meeting of the Committee.

Mr McCartney joined the meeting at 11.42am.

Agreed: That the Committee might wish to re-visit the recommendations contained in its Report on the Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters.

Agreed: That the Clerk should seek to develop a composite list of all the issues identified by the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the leaders of all the Political Parties and which would incorporate Committee Briefing Paper 03/08/09.

4.2 Draft Motion

Members noted a draft motion at Tab 2 of their packs, aimed at securing a fresh mandate from the Assembly which would allow the Committee to consider the devolution of policing and justice matters.

On a proposal from Mr Kennedy, that the tabling of a motion be deferred until further clarity was received from the First Minister and deputy First Minister:

Question put: That the Committee supports the proposal to defer the tabling of a Motion.

The Committee divided. Ayes 2; Noes 7.

AYES
Mr Kennedy, Mr McFarland

NOES
Mr Spratt, Mr McCartney, Mr Hamilton, Mr McCausland, Mr Maskey, Mr O’Dowd, Mr Paisley Jnr

The proposal accordingly fell .

Mr Paisley Jnr proposed that the following motion be tabled for consideration by the Business Committee.

Motion: That, in accordance with standing order 59(4)(b), this Assembly refers the following matters to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee:

(a) a review of progress on the implementation of the recommendations of, and the resolution of outstanding issues identified in, the Report on the Inquiry into the Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters (22/07/08R); and

(b) consideration of any other matter relating to the devolution of policing and justice matters.

Question put: That the Committee supports the proposal to table the motion.

The Committee divided. Ayes 8; Noes 2.

AYES
Mr Spratt, Mr McCartney, Mr Attwood, Mr Hamilton, Mr McCausland, Mr Maskey, Mr O’Dowd, Mr Paisley Jnr

NOES
Mr Kennedy, Mr McFarland.

The proposal was accordingly agreed.

Mr Paisley left the meeting at 12.18pm.
Mr Hamilton left the meeting at 12.24pm.
Mr O’Dowd left the meeting at 12.26pm.

5. Press Release

A draft press release was tabled for Members attention.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the terms of a draft press as amended.

6. Any other business

None.

7. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 30th September 2008 at 11.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.31pm.

Mr Jimmy Spratt
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
7 October 2008.

* Appended to the Minutes of Proceedings
** Appended to the Minutes of Proceedings