Committee for The Executive Office

Minutes of Proceedings - Wednesday 1st December 2021

2021201 Agreed Minutes - 01 December 2021.pdf (193.03 kb)

Committee for The Executive Office

Minutes of Proceedings

Wednesday 1^st December 2021

Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin (Chairperson)

Mr Pádraig Delargy MLA

Mr Trevor Lunn MLA

Ms Diane Dodds MLA

Present via Video Conferencing:

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA

Mr Christopher Stalford MLA

Apologies:

Mr Alex Easton MLA

Ms Emma Sheerin MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Ms Sarah-Anne McKinley (Assistant Clerk)

Ms Alison Belshaw (Clerical Supervisor)

Ms Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2:05pm in open session.

1. Apologies

As Above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson updated the Committee following a visit to the Maze Long Kesh on Thursday 25 November 2021 where Members were taken on a tour of the site.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to invite the Strategic Investment Board to brief the Committee on the regeneration of the Maze Long Kesh site.    

The Chairperson updated the Committee on the planned publication of the final report of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition (FICT).

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to invite the joint chairs of the FICT Commission to brief the Committee on the report findings.    

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed:  The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 24^th November 2021.

4. Matters Arising

The Chairperson updated the Committee that Hansard has confirmed they are now preparing a report from the oral evidence session with the victims and survivors of mother and baby homes on 24 November 2021.

Christopher Stalford joined the meeting at 2.12pm

5. Departmental Officials Refugee Integration Strategy – Oral Briefing

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2:31pm.

• Mr. Gareth Johnston - Deputy Secretary, Strategic Policy, Equality and Good Relations the Executive Office.

• Ms. Orla McStravick – Director, Infrastructure and Racial Equality the Executive Office.

• Ms. Debbie Murphy – Head, Racial Equality Unit the Executive Office.

Officials briefed the Committee in relation to the draft Refugee Integration Strategy.  

The oral evidence was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked Department officials for their attendance.

6. Public Services Ombudsman: Statement of Principles for Complaints - Oral Briefing

Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman joined the meeting at 3:25pm.

• Ms. Margaret Kelly- Public Service Ombudsman NIPSO
• Mr. Sean Martin- Acting Deputy Ombudsman NIPSO
• Ms. Joanne Matthews– Complaints Standards Manager NIPSO

The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman briefed the Committee in relation to the draft Statement of Principles for complaints   

The oral evidence was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked Margaret, Sean and Joanne for their attendance.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to bring a motion to the Assembly for a resolution to adopt the Statement of Principles.     

Pádraig Delargy left the meeting at 3.29pm.

7. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for December 2021 and January 2022.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to invite stakeholders to brief the Committee in relation to the Violence against Women and Girls strategy.

8. Correspondence

1. The Committee noted correspondence from the Secretary of State in relation to the rejection of planned legacy proposals from the UK Government.
2. The Committee noted correspondence from the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding a thank you note to the Chair of the Committee.
3. The Committee noted a correspondence from the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding a thank you note to the Deputy Chair of the Committee.
4. The Committee noted correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors post and Departmental Champions.
5. The Committee noted correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the appointment of Commissioner for Public Appointments.
6. The Committee noted a press release from The Executive Office regarding Covid-19.
7. The Committee noted correspondence from The Executive Office Covid Recovery Team in relation to equality screening.
8. The Committee correspondence from Clerking and Member Support in relation to Member development for personal security.
9. The Committee noted correspondence from the NIA EU Affairs Manager regarding Equal Treatment Legislation.
10. The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Youth Assembly regarding the establishment of Youth Assembly Committees.
11. The Committee noted a report from the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council titled Public Finances in Northern Ireland: A Comprehensive Guide November 2021.
12. The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Women's European Platform in relation to The Executive Office strategy and violence against women.                                                             
13. The Committee noted correspondence from Thompson Travel following their Oral Briefing Session on 10 November 2021.
    Agreed:  The Committee agreed to write to Thompson Travel to inform them of the actions taken by the Committee in relation to the Travel Agents Coronavirus Financial Assistance Scheme. 
14. The Committee noted correspondence from Horn of Africa regarding the provision of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) classes.
15. The Committee noted a statement from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to the Assembly in relation to the 36^th British Irish Council Summit on Friday 19 November 2021.

The Committee was suspended at 4.12pm

The Committee resumed in open session at 4.30pm

9. European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič – Oral Briefing on EU Exit

Vice President Maroš Šefčovič joined the meeting at 4:30pm

• Mr. Maroš Šefčovič European Commission Vice-President for Inter-Institutional Relations and Foresight

Vice President Maroš Šefčovič briefed the Committee in relation to the most recent developments on the current and future workings of the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland.

The oral evidence was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to invite Vice President Šefčovič to brief the Committee when the current talks in relation to the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland are concluded.

Trevor Lunn left the meeting at 4.59pm.

John Stewart left the meeting at 5.18pm.

10. Any Other Business

None.

Christopher Stalford left the meeting at 5.35pm.

11. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 December 2021 at 2:00pm, in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:38pm.

Sinéad McLaughlin

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office