Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 2.01 p.m.

1.  Apologies

As above.

2.  Chairperson’s Business

Committee Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

EU Issues

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a meeting of the European Advisory Panel in February to consider cohesion funding and in particular PEACE funding. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should liaise with the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel to consider how this will be taken forward.

3.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 7 December 2011 was agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

Monitoring of Savings Delivery Plans 2011-12

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing an update on the Savings Delivery Plans 2011-12.

Draw Down the Walls

The Committee considered a copy of Draw Down the Walls’ report “Pushing Barriers.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an informal briefing on the project in the New Year.

Consular Association of Northern Ireland

The Committee noted correspondence from the Consular Association of Northern Ireland thanking the Committee for the opportunity to brief the Committee on its work.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

5.  Correspondence

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development outlining the indicative timetable for the Reservoirs Bill.

Committee for Employment and Learning

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a request from the Committee for Employment and Learning to be briefed on the “Outcomes Model” to the Department.

6.  Draft Programme for Government and Investment Strategy

The First Minister, deputy First Minister and junior Ministers joined the meeting at 2.12 p.m.

The First Minister, deputy First Minister and junior Ministers briefed the Committee on the draft Programme for Government and Investment Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

The First Minister, deputy First Minister and junior Ministers left the meeting at 3.47 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider whether to table a “Take note” debate in January.

7.  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People

The Commissioner for Children and Young People and representatives from the Office of the Commissioner joined the meeting at 3.55 p.m.

Ms Ruane left the meeting at 3.55 p.m.

Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 4.15 p.m.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 4.28 p.m.

Mrs Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, Commissioner for Children and Young People, Mrs Alex Tennant, Head of Policy and Research and Mrs Marlene Kinghan, Head of Communications briefed the Committee on the work of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and provided an update following the review which took place earlier this year. A question and answer session followed.

The Commissioner for Children and Young People and representatives from the Office of the Commissioner left the meeting at 4.43 p.m.

8.  Evangelical Alliance NI

Representatives from the Evangelical Alliance joined the meeting at 4.45 p.m.

Mr Peter Lynas and Mr David Smyth briefed the Committee on their paper “Seeking Peace and Prosperity”. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the Evangelical Alliance left the meeting at 5.14 p.m.

9. Any Other Business

Press Release

The Committee noted the press releases.

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The meeting moved into closed session at 5.16 p.m.

10. Proposals to Update Legislation to Reform the Office of the Ombudsman

The Committee had a discussion in relation to the proposals to reform the Office of the Ombudsman.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 11 January 2012 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.26 p.m.

Mr Tom Elliott MLA
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister