Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at11.09am in closed session.

1. Financial Implications of the Devolution of Policing and Justice –

The Chairperson advised Members that the Minister for Finance and Personnel would not be in attendance for the briefing by the Specialist Adviser.

A paper, by the Specialist Adviser, on the Financial Implications of the Devolution of Policing and Justice and a letter of 26 June 2009, from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, were tabled for the attention of Members.

The Specialist Adviser briefed the Committee informally on his paper.

The Specialist Adviser stressed that it was his opinion that it would be beneficial for future discussions and negotiations between all involved if a single set of figures regarding the costs of devolving Policing and Justice were agreed.

The Chairperson reminded Members of the confidential nature of the discussions and the papers under consideration.

Agreed: That the paper by the Specialist Adviser on the Financial Implications of Devolving Policing and Justice and the letter of 22 June 2009 from the Secretary of State be provided to the First Minister and deputy First Minister at the beginning of the formal briefing session.

11:34 am The First Minister and the Deputy First Minister and their advisors joined the meeting in closed session.

Following a short presentation by the Specialist Adviser, there was a general discussion and a question and answer session.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister acknowledged the work of the Committee and made a number of points:

• That a single set of agreed figures would be beneficial and that it would be helpful if the Specialist Adviser would clarify his figures with officials in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department for Finance and Personnel.
• That discussions with the NIO and the Treasury would continue and would include the exploration of a suitable funding mechanism for funding Policing and Justice costs.
• That the process of appointing an Attorney General was progressing but that it was for the Assembly to develop procedures to allow the Attorney General to report, relate to, and speak in, the Assembly.
• That the First Minister and deputy First Minister undertook to report to, and meet, the Committee on a regular basis.
• That the Heywood Report had a narrow remit compared to the work of the Committee.

The Chairperson thanked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their attendance.

12:25 pm The First Minister and Deputy First Minister left the meeting

12:29 pm Mr McCartney left the meeting

12:29 pm Ms Hanna left the meeting

12:30 pm the Committee went in to public session

2. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

3. Minutes of Proceedings of meeting held on 23 June 2009

Members agreed the Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting held on 23 June 2009.

4. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Chairperson’s Business

Committee Visits

The Clerk reported on the Committee’s visit to Dublin on 25 June 2009.

The session was recorded by Hansard

12:35 pm Ms Hanna returned to the meeting

6. Devolution of Policing and Justice Matters

Committee Briefing Paper 11/08/09 – Fourteenth Revision – Consideration of the Category Two List of Issues

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

• Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board

In relation to the issue of the devolution of policing and justice matters, Mr McCausland declared the following interests:

• Member of the Belfast District Policing Partnership

In relation to the issue of the devolution of policing and justice matters, Mr Maskey declared the following interests:

• Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board

Members indicated that they had nothing further to report in relation to the Category Two List of Issues.

Agreed: Members agreed to return to the Category Two List of Issues at the next meeting of the Committee, and to meet over the summer if necessary.

Agreed: That the Chairperson, in consultation with the deputy Chairperson should, if necessary, and depending on political developments, convene a meeting or meetings of the Committee during recess.

The session was recorded by Hansard

7. Correspondence – outgoing/incoming

Members noted letters of thanks to those who hosted the Committee’s recent visits to Edinburgh and London.

Members noted the letter of 22 June 2009 from the Secretary of State on the emerging findings of the Specialist Adviser.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 at 11.00am, in Room 21, Parliament Buildings, subject to 6 above.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.49 am.

Mr Jimmy Spratt
Chairperson, Assembly and Executive Review Committee
15 September 2009