Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 25 October 2011
Venue: Room 21
The meeting opened at 11.04 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes of the last meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the Committee meeting held on Tuesday 11 October 2011.
3. Matters Arising
No matters were raised.
4. Correspondence
The Committee noted the final Stakeholder Options Paper and covering letter/memos in relation to its Review of the Initial Ministerial Provision in relation to the Department of Justice and recommendations relating to the arrangements from 1 May 2012.
The Chairperson reminded Members that responses from Political Parties are due with the Committee Secretariat by Friday 28 October 2011 and this deadline is necessary if the Committee is to adhere to its very tight timescale for this Review.
5. Review of Parts III and IV of the Northern Ireland Act
11.07 am Mr Sheehan joined the meeting
The Committee noted correspondence from the Secretary of State of 24 October 2011 and a subsequent Committee request letter to Political Parties in relation to their priorities for the Committee’s immediate work programme reviewing Parts III and IV of the NI Act.
The Chairperson highlighted that Parties have been asked to provide a response by 8 November 2011.
The Committee noted the Clerk’s memo and the Clerk briefed the Committee in relation to this issue.
11.10 am Mr Sheehan left the meeting
11.14 am Mr Hamilton joined the meeting
The following representative from Assembly Research and Library Service joined the meeting:
Raymond McCaffrey – Research Officer
The representative briefed the Committee on the issue of the Size of the Assembly.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that further research information should be provided in relation to this issue.
11.27 am Mr McCartney left the meeting.
The representative briefed the Committee on the issue of Multiple Mandates.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive a research briefing on the issue of ‘Length of Mandate’ at its first meeting after Halloween Recess.
6. AOB
The Committee noted correspondence from Platform for Change.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Platform for Change in response to this correspondence. The Committee agreed that it will consider this organisation in its list of Stakeholders as it agrees its reviews and consultation documents.
The Committee noted minutes of the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group Meeting of Tuesday 18 October 2011.
No other items of business were raised.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Assembly and Executive Committee will be held on Tuesday 8 November 2011 at 11.00 am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.34.
