Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 07 June 2011
Venue: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 2.02 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chairperson’s business
The Committee agreed to invite Nexus to give evidence to it at its meeting on Wednesday 22 nd June 2011.
The Committee agreed to write to the Department for an update on cervical cancer services.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting on Wednesday 1 st June 2011
The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 1 st June 2011 were agreed.
2.04 p.m. Ms Michaela Boyle joined the meeting.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted that Mr Tom Lynch was expected to write to the Committee further regarding a presentation on cancer services.
5. Statutory Instrument. The Medicines Act 1968 (Pharmacy) Order 2011
The Committee considered a statutory instrument regarding the Medicines Act 1968 (Pharmacy) Order 2011 and agreed to write to the Department seeking further information.
6. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister notifying the Committee of the Department’s intention to consult on regulations arising from the Sunbeds Act.
The Committee noted a letter from the Minister regarding Civil Service Sickness Absence 2009/10.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Food Standards Agency.
The Committee noted a letter from NSPCC providing a briefing on cross border co-operation on child protection.
The Committee noted a letter from the Centre for Ageing, Research and Development in Ireland.
The Committee noted an invitation to Playboard’s 2011 Conference.
The Committee noted correspondence from the National Association for People Abused in Childhood seeking a meeting with it and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence from Abbott UK seeking a meeting with it and agreed to invite the group to an informal meeting.
The Committee noted correspondence regarding the retention of medical records for patients at Belvoir Park hospital and agreed to write to the Department regarding this matter.
Mr Mickey Brady declared an interest in that his late wife had been a patient at Belvoir Park hospital.
2.19 p.m. Mr John McCallister joined the meeting.
7. Evidence session with the Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA Minister for Health, Social Services & Public Safety
Dr Andrew McCormick Permanent Secretary, DHSSPS
Ms Catherine Daly Acting Under Secretary, Resources and Performance Management Group, DHSSPS
Dr Michael McBride Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
The Committee agreed to ask Assembly Research Services to prepare briefing papers on mental health and adoption issues in order to assist with pre-legislative scrutiny.
2.46 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan left the meeting.
2.47 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan rejoined the meeting.
2.49 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
2.54 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
3.02 p.m.Mr Kieran McCarthy left the meeting.
3.22 p.m. Ms Paula Bradley left the meeting.
3.42 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis left the meeting.
8. Legislative Consent Motion. Protection of Freedoms Bill - ‘Safeguarding of Vulnerable Groups’ Provisions
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Patricia Lewsley Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner
Ms Jacqueline Melville Policy and Research Officer, NICCY
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
3.46 p.m. Mrs Pam Lewis rejoined the meeting.
3.51 p.m. Mr John McCallister left the meeting.
3.51 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy rejoined the meeting.
4.04 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne left the meeting.
4.12 p.m. Mr Gordon Dunne rejoined the meeting.
The Committee took evidence from:
Mr Colin Reid Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
The Committee agreed to invite the Department to give evidence on the legislative consent motion at its next meeting.
4.18 p.m. Mr Mark H Durkan left the meeting.
4.19 p.m. Mr John McCallister rejoined the meeting.
4.19 p.m. Mr Kieran McCarthy left the meeting.
9. Any Other Business
The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding a recent announcement of job losses in Southern Cross care homes.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 15th June 2011 at 2.00 p.m. in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.35 p.m.
