Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2012/2013

Date: 26 November 2012

Venue: Room 29

The meeting commenced at 2.34pm in closed session – the Clerk in the Chair        

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

The Clerk called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson.

Mr Brady proposed that Ms Ruane be elected as Chairperson of the Committee. Ms McGahan seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

Mr Weir proposed that Mr Lunn be elected Chairperson of the Committee. Ms Bradley seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

There being no further nominations, the Clerk put the question that Ms Ruane, being the first candidate proposed, be elected as Chairperson of the Committee;

The Committee divided:

AYES - Mr Mickey Brady, Ms Bronwyn McGahan, Ms Caitríona Ruane

NOES - Ms Paula Bradley, Mr Tom Elliott, Lord Morrow, Mr Alastair Ross, Mr Robin Swann, Mr Peter Weir

ABSTENTIONs - Mr Colum Eastwood

The proposal fell.

The Clerk put the question that Mr Lunn, being the second candidate proposed, be elected as Chairperson of the Committee.

The Committee divided:

AYES - Ms Paula Bradley, Mr Tom Elliott, Lord Morrow, Mr Alastair Ross, Mr Robin Swann, Mr Peter Weir

NOES - None

ABSTENTIONS - Mr Mickey Brady, Mr Colum Eastwood, Ms Bronwyn McGahan, Ms Caitríona Ruane

The proposal was carried.

Mr Lunn accepted the nomination and was duly elected as Chairperson of this Committee.

The Chairperson assumed the chair at 2.35 p.m.
The meeting was suspended at 2.36 p.m. in order for the Clerk to brief the Chairperson.

The meeting resumed at 2.37 p.m. with Mr Lunn in the Chair.

The Chairperson called for nominations for the position of deputy Chairperson.

The Chairperson called for nominations for the position of deputy Chairperson.

Mr Brady proposed that Ms Ruane be elected as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee. Ms McGahan seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

Mr Elliott proposed that Mr Swann be elected as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Ross seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

There being no further nominations, the Clerk put the question that Ms Ruane, being the first candidate proposed, be elected as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee;

The Committee divided:

AYES - Mr Mickey Brady, Ms Bronwyn McGahan, Ms Caitríona Ruane

NOES - Ms Paula Bradley, Mr Tom Elliott, Lord Morrow, Mr Alastair Ross, Mr Robin Swann, Mr Peter Weir

ABSTENTIONS - Mr Colum Eastwood

The proposal fell.

The Clerk put the question that Mr Swann, being the second candidate proposed, be elected as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee;

The Committee divided:

AYES - Ms Paula Bradley, Mr Tom Elliott, Lord Morrow, Mr Alastair Ross, Mr Robin Swann, Mr Peter Weir

NOES - None

ABSTENTIONS - Mr Mickey Brady, Mr Colum Eastwood, Ms Bronwyn McGahan, Ms Caitríona Ruane

The proposal carried.

Mr Swann accepted the nomination and was duly elected as Deputy Chairperson of this Committee.

The Chairperson congratulated the Deputy Chairperson on his election.

The Committee moved into Public Session at 2.41 p.m.

3. Declaration of Interests

Members noted the tabled register interests of each Member of the committee.  The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

Ms McGahan declared a change in her registered tabled interests. Ms McGahan is no longer a Councillor of the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, and no longer a Member of the Southern Local Commissioning Group.

4. Committee Secretariat Details

Members noted the contact details for the Committee team. 

5. Committee Procedures

The Chairperson referred members to a memorandum from the Committee Clerk on the procedures of the Committee contained in their briefing papers and reminded members of the rules relating to privilege and sub-judice.

Agreed: Voting - the Committee agreed that all decisions shall be made by a simple majority vote by showing of hands unless a member requests otherwise.

Agreed: Witnesses – the Committee agreed that the Committee should receive evidence.

Agreed:  Deputies - the Committee agreed to permit each of the parties represented on the committee to nominate the same number of deputies as they had Members on the committee.  A party deputy may take the place.

6. Committee Approach

Agreed: Committee meetings - the Committee agreed that meetings would be held on Mondays at 1.30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 2.30 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive a briefing from the Department of Social Development on the Welfare Reform Bill and the Equality Impact Assessment of the Bill. Members agreed to schedule this briefing for the meeting of Tuesday 27th November 2012.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the suggested witnesses to give evidence to the Committee and further agreed that it should be provided with a list of those who had responded to the Committee for Social Development’s consultation on the Bill together with the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister’s list of Section 75 Consultees.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the indicative forward work plan but noted that it may be necessary to amend it to provide for an additional evidence session

Agreed: The Committee agreed that notification should be placed on its webpage that it was content to receive written submissions by 11 December 2012 on the issue of whether the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill are in conformity with the requirements for equality and observance of human rights.

7.  Any Other Business

There was no other business.

8. Time, date and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday, 27th November 2012 in Room 29 at 1.30pm (lunch will be available from 1.15pm).

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.12pm.

Mr Trevor Lunn MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee on Conformity of Equalities Requirements, Welfare Reform Bill
Tuesday 27th November 2012

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