Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 06 June 2012
Venue: Room 30
The meeting opened in public session at 2.02 p.m.
Apologies
As above.
1. Chairperson’s Business
Committee Invitations
The Committee noted the list of current invitations.
2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2012
Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 30 May 2012 was agreed by the Committee.
3. Matters Arising
Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights
The Committee noted clarification provided by the Department advising that in relation to the response to the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, that there is a considerable amount of data available on gender across the NI Civil Service and that steps are being taken to correct the response. A Member stated that in any future responses, gender equality should be at the core of the response.
Joint Ministerial Committee (Europe)
The Committee considered a response from the Department providing further information in relation to the Upstream Engagement Process.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing on the Upstream Engagement Process from Departmental officials on 4 July 2012 and to request that scheduled update on the Barosso Taskforce Working Group encompass the work of the new desk officers and a report on junior Ministers’ Brussels Engagement Programme.
Former Military Sites
The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further information in relation to indemnities in respect of former military sites.
Child Poverty Act – Annual Report
The Committee noted a copy of the Child Poverty Act – Annual Report and accompanying Written Ministerial Statement.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing on the Child Poverty Act – Annual Report from Departmental officials 20 June 2012.
List of Outstanding Issues
The Committee considered the list of outstanding issues.
4. Correspondence
Post Project Evaluations
The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to outstanding post project evaluations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department and seek further information on its outstanding post project evaluations.
Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 2.08 p.m.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 2.08 p.m.
Committee for Finance and Personnel
The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel requesting the Committee’s views on its discussion paper “Maximising the Assembly’s Contribution to the Northern Ireland Budget Process”.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would forward comments on the Discussion Paper to the Clerk by lunchtime on Monday 11 June 2012.
PSNI Equal Pay
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from PSNI Civilian staff in relation to equal pay.
Barnardo’s – Community Schools
The Committee noted correspondence from Barnardo’s providing a copy of a briefing on Community Schools: Working in partnership to support children, young people and families.
Ageing, Health and Conflict Report
The Committee noted correspondence from the University of Ulster enclosing its Report on Ageing, Health and Conflict.
Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to the Department in relation to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department.
5. Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report
Dr Paul Nolan joined the meeting at 2.11 p.m.
Mr Eastwood re- joined the meeting at 2.13 p.m.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.21 p.m.
Mr Kinahan joined the meeting at 2.36 p.m.
Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 3.20 p.m.
Dr Paul Nolan, author of the Northern Ireland Peace Monitoring Report briefed the Committee on the Report. A question and answer session followed.
Dr Paul Nolan left the meeting at 3.26 p.m.
Ms Ruane left the meeting at 3.26 p.m.
6. The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry
Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.27 p.m.
Mr Clarke left the meeting at 3.51 p.m.
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 3.56 p.m.
Departmental officials Ms Maggie Smith, Mr Jim Breen and Mrs Cathy McMullan briefed the Committee on the Terms of Reference and the draft Bill for the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry. A question and answer session followed.
Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.35 p.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would prepare a draft timetable for Committee consideration of the Bill and a list of key stakeholders for consideration at next week’s meeting.
7. Any Other Business
Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the updated Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing from Save the Children on 20 June 2012 on the Child Poverty Act – Annual Report.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 13 June 2012 at 2 p.m.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.20 p.m.
