Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Friday, 17 October 2008
Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present: 
Mrs Iris Robinson MP MLA (Chairperson) 
Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA 
Dr Kieran Deeny MLA
Mr Alex Easton MLA 
Mrs Carmel Hanna MLA 
Mr John McCallister MLA 
Mrs Michelle O’Neill MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

In Attendance: 
Mr Hugh Farren (Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mrs Noelle Bourke (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Joe Westland (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Rodney Aiken (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Tommy Gallagher MLA 
Mr Sam Gardiner, MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA

The meeting commenced at 10.37 am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Evidence session with Pro Life groups

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Johanna Higgins Association of Catholic Lawyers in Ireland. 
Lorraine McDermott Doctors for Life 
Margaret McCloskey LIFE NI 
Lynn Coles Choose Life Ministries

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

10.48 a.m. Mrs Carmel Hanna joined the meeting. 
11.46 a.m. Committee meeting adjourned. 
11.56 a.m. Committee meeting resumed.

7. Evidence session with pro Choice Groups

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Audrey Simpson Director, Family Planning Association
Georgie McCormick Training & Services Manager, Family Planning Association
Pamela Dooley Head of Organisation & Development, UNISON
Grace Glenny Family Planning Association

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

12.54 p.m. Committee meeting adjourned. 
1.34 p.m. Committee meeting resumed.

3. Evidence session with Departmental Officials.

Members took evidence from the following witnesses:
Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer 
Margaret Boyle Senior Medical Officer 
Oswyn Paulin Head of Legal Services, Departmental Solicitors Office 
Sean Holland Assistant Chief Social Services Officer 
Martin Bradley Chief Nursing Officer

A question and answer session ensued. The chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

1.42 p.m. Mr Thomas Buchanan rejoined the meeting. 
2.35 p.m. Mr Alex Easton left the meeting. 
2.41 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting. 
2.46 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill left the meeting. 
2.49 p.m. Mrs Michelle O’Neill rejoined the meeting.

The meeting moved to Closed Session at 2.55 p.m.

Members discussed the evidence taken on the draft Guidance on the Termination of Pregnancy and agreed that a draft Committee Response should be prepared for the next Committee meeting.

4. Any other business

5. Date, time and place of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday, 23 October 2008 at 2.00pm in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.03 p.m.