Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 2.04 p.m. in closed session.

1. Apologies

Apologies as above.

2. Consideration of evidence taken on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.

The Committee discussed evidence taken on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service to date. The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister on this matter.

2.13 p.m. Meeting moved to public session.

3. Chair's Business

The Committee noted that the motion on its report on Health Inequalities would be debated by the Assembly on Monday 18 February and agreed that members attending the debate would each focus on one of the report's recommendations.
The Committee discussed the concurrent meeting with the Committee for Agriculture & Rural Development regarding horsemeat contamination and agreed to write to the FSA for further information on a number of matters.
The Committee noted a letter from Freeza meats regarding horsemeat contamination.
The Committee noted a statement made by a representative of the BMA regarding the end of a GP pilot scheme for ENT treatments and agreed to write to the BMA for further information.
2.27 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy joined the meeting.

4. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 6th February 2013.

The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 6th February 2013 were agreed.

5. Matters rising

The Committee noted a response from the Minister to the Education Committee regarding Post-19 Special Educational Needs Provision.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Allergy Services and agreed to copy this to Allergy NI who raised this matter with it.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding the findings of the Young Men and Suicide Project Report.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister providing the Terms of Reference for the Turn Around & Support Team in the Northern Health & Social Care Trust.
2.31 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.

6. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on European priorities.
The Committee noted correspondence from NIPSA regarding its 2013 Annual Delegate Conference.
The Committee noted correspondence from Belfast Healthy Cities regarding its Annual Review 2011/12.
The Committee noted correspondence from Age NI regarding Social Care.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms E Davidson and agreed to refer Ms Davidson to constituency representatives.
The Committee noted correspondence from Ms Marmion to the Minister regarding Down's Syndrome Screening.
The Committee noted correspondence from Four Seasons Health Care regarding a Joint Recognition Agreement with Trade Unions.

7. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.

2.33 p.m. The meeting moved to closed session.
2.36 p.m. The meeting was adjourned.
2.36 p.m. Mr Roy Beggs left the meeting.

2.55 p.m. The meeting resumed in public session.
2.55 p.m. Ms Pam Brown joined the meeting.

8. Evidence session on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.

The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Peter Craig former Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Mr Colin Lammey former Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Mr Louis Jones former Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
Mr William Gillespie former Chair, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
A question and answer session ensued.
2.57 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady rejoined the meeting.
3.26 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
3.27 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
3.56 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
4.08 p.m. Mr Roy Beggs rejoined the meeting.
4.12 p.m. Mr Mickey Brady left the meeting.
4.16 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
4.20 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
4.24 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
5.09 p.m. Ms Pam Brown left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
The Committee agreed to consider options to proceed with this matter at its next meeting.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for further information.

9. Any other Business.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding travelling expenses for Community Psychiatric Nurses.
The Committee agreed to write to the Education Committee regarding Hillcroft School, Newtownabbey.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 27th February 2013 at 2 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.22 p.m.