Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights Minutes of Proceedings

Thursday 18 November 2021

Ad Hoc Bill of Rights Committee meeting 18 November 2021.pdf (147.84 kb)

Meeting Location:
Hybrid Meeting – Room 29, Parliament Buildings, and via StarLeaf

Present:
Emma Sheerin MLA (Chairperson)
Paula Bradshaw MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Alan Chambers MLA
Mark Durkan MLA
Paul Frew MLA
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

Apologies:
No apologies were received.

In Attendance:
Caroline Perry (Assembly Clerk)
Jonathan Lamont (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Shirleen Cornelissen (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.36pm in open session.

1.    Apologies

Christopher Stalford MLA

2.    Chairperson’s Business

The Committee placed on record condolences to the family and party colleagues of Austin Currie.

3.    Draft Minutes

Agreed:         The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 04 November 2021.

4.    Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

5.    Correspondence

i. The Committee noted correspondence from Amnesty International UK to the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding a panel of experts on a Bill of Rights. 

ii. The Committee considered the tabled correspondence from Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission regarding the launch of its 2021 Annual Human Rights statement.

Agreed:   The Committee agreed to write to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to explain that a number of Members also sit on the Health Committee, and that this event will clash with the regular Health Committee meeting. 

iii. The Committee noted the tabled correspondence from the Clerk of the Youth Assembly regarding the establishment of youth committees.

iv. The Committee noted the tabled correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office regarding a panel of experts on a Bill of Rights.

6.    Forward Work Programme

The Chairperson referred Members to the draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: Members agreed the Forward Work Programme, subject to discussions during the Committee’s informal session following this meeting.

7.    Any Other Business

There was no other business.

8.    Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

Members agreed to confirm the date and time of the next meeting during its informal session following this meeting.

The Committee moved to closed session at 2.42pm.

9.    Rights for Inclusion – Consideration of potential rights

The Committee continued its reporting stage deliberations.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to circulate the party position papers that have been received to date.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister and all Executive Ministers on a number of issues.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the DUP Party Whip to request a copy of the DUP party paper.

Agreed: The Committee agreed Thursday 25 November 2021 at 2:30pm as the date of the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.16pm.

Emma Sheerin MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights