Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 2.08 p.m.        

Apologies

As above

1.  Draft Disability Strategy  

Ms Monica Wilson from Disability Action joined the meeting at 2.09 p.m.

Mr Lyttle joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.

Ms Monica Wilson from Disability Action briefed the Committee on the draft Disability Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

Ms Monica Wilson left the meeting at 2.35 p.m.

Miss Fearon joined the meeting at 2.35 p.m.

The Equality Commission joined the meeting at 2.36 p.m.

Mr Lyttle joined the meeting at 2.43 p.m. 

Mr Michael Wardlow, Ms Evelyn Collins and Ms Roisin Mallon from the Equality Commission briefed the Committee on the draft Disability Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

2.  Regulations to Introduce Gender Neutral Insurance Benefits and Premiums  

Mr McCallister joined the meeting at 3.13 p.m.

Mr Michael Wardlow, Ms Evelyn Collins and Ms Roisin Mallon from the Equality Commission briefed the Committee on the proposed regulations to introduce gender neutral insurance benefits and premiums. A question and answer session followed.

The Equality Commission left the meeting at 3.32 p.m.

3.  Chairperson’s Business

Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities

The Committee noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities to attend its Human Rights, Race and Criminal Justice Conference on 4 December 2012.

List of Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

4.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 14 November 2012 was agreed by the Committee.

5. Matters Arising

NI Ombudsman

The Committee considered a response from the Office of the NI Ombudsman in relation to proposals to extend the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction to Board of Governors of Schools.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Minister for Education.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

6. Correspondence

Northern Ireland Audit Office

The Committee noted a copy of a Northern Ireland Audit Office press release advising of its report on Property Asset Management in Central Government.

Commissioner for Older People Act 2011 (Commencement) Order 2012

The Committee noted a copy of the Commissioner for Older People Act 2011 (Commencement) Order 2012.

Maze/Long Kesh Update Report

The Committee noted November’s update report from the Department on the Maze/Long Kesh site.

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the Small Business Research Initiative.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to request their assessment of the potential to use the Small Business Research Initiative within OFMDFM.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in relation to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill.

7.  SEUPB Consultation on Peace Funding 

Representatives from the Community Relations Council joined the meeting at 3.32 p.m.

Mrs Hale left the meeting at 3.53 p.m.

Mr Moutray left the meeting at 4.02 p.m.

Mr Tony McCusker and Mrs Jacqueline Irwin from the Community Relations Council briefed the Committee on issues arising from SEUPB’s consultation on lessons learned from Peace III and the themes and delivery structures for an anticipated Peace IV. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the Community Relations Council left the meeting at 4.12 p.m.

Representatives from Belfast City Council joined the meeting at 4.13 p.m.

Cllr Máire Hendron, Mrs Hazel Francey and Mr Isaac May from Belfast City Council briefed the Committee on issues arising from SEUPB’s consultation on lessons learned from Peace III and the themes and delivery structures for an anticipated Peace IV. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from Belfast City Council left the meeting at 4.41 p.m.

8.  Report on Statutory Committee Activity on European Issues  

The Committee considered its Report on Statutory Committee Activity on European Issues.

Agreed: The Committee read and agreed paragraphs 1 – 5: Introduction.

Agreed: The Committee read and agreed paragraphs 6 - 13: Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Agreed: The Committee read and agreed paragraphs 14 – 15: Other statutory committees.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to include Appendix 1 in the Report.

Agreed: The Committee ordered the Report to be printed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to table a motion for debate on the Report.

9. Any Other Business

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme 

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 28 November 2012 at 2 p.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.39 p.m.

Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister