Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 01 May 2013
Venue: Room 30, Parliament Buildings
The meeting began at 2.06 pm in closed session.
1. Apologies
As detailed above.
2. Visit by UK Minister of State
The Committee discussed the programme for the visit of the UK Minister of State for Europe, Rt Hon David Lidington MP, on Wednesday 8 May 2013.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite all MLAs to the PEACE Programme event on Wednesday 8 May 2013. The Committee also agreed to invite the Chairpersons of all statutory committees to an informal meeting with the Minister on 8 May 2013.
The meeting moved into public session at 2.14 p.m.
3. Chairperson's Business
University of Ulster School of Sociology
The Committee considered correspondence from Dr Braniff of the University Of Ulster School Of Sociology regarding an event on 17 May 2013 in relation to exploring the needs of Victims and Survivors.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite Dr Braniff to brief the Committee following the event.
Save the Children
The Committee considered correspondence from Save the Children requesting a copy of the presentation that the Committee received on the Child Poverty Annual Report at last week's meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the presentation to Save the Children.
Meeting with the Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee
The Committee considered an invitation from the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs to meet with them to discuss its work on Ireland in the EU.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would liaise with the Members to identify a suitable date for the visit.
University of Ulster Seminar
The Committee noted an invitation from the University of Ulster to attend a seminar on "Women, Peace and Security" on Wednesday 15 May 2013.
Community Relations Council Conference
The Committee noted an invitation from the Community Relations Council to attend its annual conference on 20 May 2013.
EC-UK Meeting
The Chairperson provided Members with an overview of the meeting of the EC-UK Forum on Monday 29 April, which was held in Cardiff.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would scope the options for holding an annual event in relation to Europe Day, which would highlight the work of representatives and stakeholders in Europe and identify important emerging EU issues/proposals.
List of Invitations
The Committee noted the list of all other current Committee invitations
4. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2013
Agreed: The draft minutes of the proceedings of the 24 April 2013 were agreed by the Committee.
5. Matters Arising
Committee Response to "Towards a Childcare Strategy"
Members considered the draft Committee response to the Department's consultation on "Towards a Childcare Strategy" document.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the response as amended.
Press Regulation
Members considered correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure advising that the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has advised them that OFMDFM is dealing with the issue of press regulation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a briefing on this issue.
List of Outstanding Issues
Members noted the list of outstanding issues.
6. Correspondence
Department's Opening Budget
The Committee considered correspondence from the Department providing further information on the Department's opening Budget for 2013/14.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing from the Department on the Department's 2013/14 budget and June Monitoring and request clarification of figures in the correspondence.
Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman
The Committee considered correspondence from the Department for Justice in relation to the future of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule briefings from Northern Ireland Ombudsman and from the Department of Justice officials in relation to this issue.
7. British Red Cross
Representatives from the British Red Cross joined the meeting at 2.45 p.m.
Mr Eastwood joined the meeting at 2.49 p.m.
Ms Sharon Sinclair, Mr Simon Lewis and Ms Fiona MacLeod from the British Red Cross briefed the Committee on civil contingencies planning. A question and answer session followed.
Representatives from the British Red Cross left the meeting at 3.45 p.m.
Miss Fearon joined the meeting at 3.45 p.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a briefing on arrangements in Northern Ireland from the Civil Contingencies Policy Branch.
8. Consultation on the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Rules
Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.48 p.m.
Mr Nesbitt left the meeting at 3.50 p.m.
The Deputy Chairperson took the Chair at 3.50 p.m.
Mr Moutray left the meeting at 4.00 p.m.
Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 4.07 p.m.
Departmental officials Ms Maggie Smith, Mrs Cathy McMullan, Ms Kerry Morrison and Ms Roberta Dalton briefed the Committee on the Consultation on the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Rules. A question and answer session followed.
Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.20 p.m.
9. Any Other Business
The Committee noted the forward work programme.
10. Date, Time and Location of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 8 May 2013 at 2.15 pm.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.23 pm
