Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 30 January 2013
Venue: The Senate Chamber
The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No Apologies were received.
2. Chair’s Business
The Committee noted that the debate on its motion on Annual GP health checks would be debated on Monday 4 February 2013. The Committee noted a letter from the BMA NI regarding the motion.
2.04 p.m. Mr Roy Beggs joined the meeting.
The Committee agreed to sponsor an event on 13th May to launch Foster Care fortnight.
The Committee noted that the Positive Life event would take place on 13 February at 12 noon in the Long Gallery as part of Sexual Health week.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 23rd January 2013.
The minutes of the Committee meeting on Wednesday 23rd January 2013 were agreed.
The Committee agreed to write to the family of Inez McCormack who died recently expressing its sympathy.
4. Evidence session with Departmental officials on Resource accounts 2011/2012 – final outturn.
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Julie Thompson, Deputy Secretary, Resources and Performance Management
Mr Peter Toogood, Director of Finance
A question and answer session ensued.
2.10 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting.
2.17 p.m. Mr Jim Wells joined the meeting.
2.52 p.m. Mr Conall McDevitt joined the meeting.
2.56 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
3.05 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
3.09 p.m. Mr Jim Wells left the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
5. Evidence session with Departmental officials on illicit tobacco sales
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Mr Gerard Collins, Health Improvement Policy Branch
Mrs Jenny McAlarney, Health Improvement Policy Branch
A question and answer session ensued.
3.14 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley rejoined the meeting.
3.23 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
3.35 p.m. Mr Jim Wells rejoined the meeting.
The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
6. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
The Committee noted correspondence from Mrs Linda Ford following the evidence session on 23 January 2013. The Committee agreed to write to the Department and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service for further information on the issues raised by Mrs Ford.
The Committee agreed to take a decision on scheduling further evidence sessions on these matters after it has taken evidence from retired Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service officials at its meeting on 13 February 2013.
The Committee agreed to begin its meeting on 13 February 2013 in closed session in order to prepare questioning in advance of the session with retired Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service officials.
7. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Mental Health (Private Hospitals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013
The Committee considered the Mental Health (Private Hospitals) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and agreed that it was content for the Department to prepare the statutory rule.
8. Proposed Statutory Rule. The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013
The Committee considered the Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 and agreed to write to the Food Standards Agency for further information.
9. Matters rising
There were no matters arising.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Guidance.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding a consultation on a draft Bill to Amend the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act 2009 and agreed to invite officials to give evidence on the Bill following the end of the consultation.
The Committee noted the DHSSPS Investment Strategy for NI Investing Activity Report January 2013.
The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development to the Food Standards Agency and ask the Agency to copy the response to it.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice regarding Mental Capacity Legislation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Education regarding matters raised by Allergy NI.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding Forecast Outturns.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the strategic direction of future EU funding.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Meningitis Research Foundation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Infertility Network UK seeking a meeting and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Cardiac Patients Forum seeking a meeting and agreed to invite the organisation to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted a copy of a response from the Save the Mid campaign to the Department’s consultation on Transforming Your Care.
11. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted its Forward Work Programme.
12. Any other Business
No other business was discussed.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 6th February 2013 at 2 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.52 p.m.
