Past Committee Business (Week Commencing 22nd November 2008)

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Assembly and Executive Review Committee

The Committee continued its detailed consideration of the Category One List of Issues relating to the devolution of policing and justice matters and reached agreement on a number of those issues.

Business Committee

The Order Papers and indicative timings were agreed for the Plenary Sittings on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December 2008.

Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Members approved one Consultation, two SL1’s, one Statutory Rule and heard three presentations from DARD alongside another presentation from the Anglo- North Irish Fish Producers Organisation. The Committee also delayed the progression of another SL1, seeking further information from the Department in order to consider it more thoroughly.

Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

The Committee met with representatives from various organisations to discuss the possibility of a Northern Ireland Theatre Initiative.

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Committee for Finance and Personnel

Committee members took evidence from Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) officials on the issues emerging from DFP’s Consideration of Departmental returns on the Strategic Stocktake 2009-11. Members received an Assembly Research briefing on the Committee Inquiry into Public Procurement Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland and also took evidence on the inquiry from QuiggGolden contract consultants and representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses.

The Committee considered the Institutions of Further Education (Public Sector Audit) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and recommended that it be affirmed by the Assembly

Committee for Education

Officials from the Department of Education attended the meeting and briefed the Committee on the Department’s Budget, including the 2008 Strategic Stocktake and December Monitoring. A question and answer session followed the briefing.

The Committee were also briefed on the Education Bill with a further question and answer session.

Committee for Regional Development

In open session, the Committee received briefing on the performance of Translink from the Consumer Council, Department for Regional Development officials, and Translink executives. In addition, Members noted further information in relation to the Committee inquiry into managing data risks in Northern Ireland Water.

Members indicated that they were content with one SL1 noted at the meeting of 19 November 2008. The Committee also noted receipt of five Statutory Rules not subject to any Assembly procedure but for Members information only.

Committee for Employment and Learning

The Committee was briefed by Department of Education Officials on the Committee’s Review of Teacher Education. This briefing discussed the allocation of student places and the Teacher Demand Model.

The Committee was also briefed by Departmental Officials on the Employment Bill: Summary of Responses to Public Consultations on Policy Proposals. The briefing covered proposals to amend Trade Union Law and the Employment Agencies and Businesses proposed changes to investigation powers and penalty regime.

The Committee further considered the SL1 – “Student Fees (Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008”.

Committee on Standards and Privileges

The Committee continued its review of the Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members. Members considered papers on issues raised by consultees in relation to the Voting with an unregistered interest, Anonymity of Complaints and Advocacy. They noted other issues to be discussed at future meetings.

Members were briefed on the Committee’s visit to Westminster

Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People briefed the Committee on the work of the Commission and its priorities for the next three years before taking questions from the Committee.

Representatives from the Construction and Property Group briefed the Committee on the impact of the economic downturn on their members’ businesses.

The Committee received a research briefing on Gender Equality.

Departmental officials briefed the Committee on the progress of the Gender Equality Strategy. The Members agreed to write to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister seeking further information on its action plans.

The Committee considered the in-year budgetary pressures and easements within the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to be declared by the Department in the December monitoring round. The Official agreed to provide further information on a number of issues.

Thursday 27 November 2008

Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

The Committee met in closed session to discuss its draft report on the ‘Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland’.

Departmental Officials briefed the Committee on the outcome of the September monitoring, December monitoring and End of Year estimates.

The Committee discussed issues relating to a proposal for a theatre initiative in Northern Ireland .

The Committee discussed its draft response to the Ofcom PSB Review consultation and agreed to issue a press release.

The Committee agreed to issue a press release regarding confusing reports about the World Rally Championships.

Committee for the Environment

Representatives from Tobermore Concrete Products Ltd, briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on environmental benefits of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).

Representatives from Southern Group Environmental Health Committee (SGEHC), briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Community ECO-Challenge.

The Committee considered one Statutory Rule and had no objections to the Rule

Committee for Social Development

The Committee was briefed in private session by Departmental officials on the Strategic Business Review of the Social Security Agency - consultation.

Departmental Officials also briefed the Committee on the Review of Public Administration.

The following proposals from the Department to make the following Statutory Rules were considered:

1. The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendments No.6) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

It was content with the Department’s proposal to make the Rule.

2. The Housing Benefit (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee requested a fuller explanation from the Department on the proposal and deferred its decision.

3. The Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
4. The Christmas Bonus (Relevant Week) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

The Committee was content with the Department’s proposals to make the Rules.

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

At its meeting the Committee received a briefing from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions and the Irish League of Credit Unions regarding their submission to the Committee’s Credit Union Inquiry.

Public Accounts Committee

The Committee received a briefing on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘Brangam Bagnall & Co: Legal Practitioner Fraud Perpetrated against the Health & Personal Social Services’ NIAO Report from Mr Kieran Donnelly, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, and his officials.

The Committee also considered the Committee Report on Warm Homes: Tackling Fuel Poverty and ordered it to be printed.

Committee for Health Social Services and Public Safety

Lunchtime meeting – The Committee held an informal lunchtime meeting with a representative from National Osteoporosis Society.

Committee meeting - The Committee held an evidence session with Trade Union Representatives about efficiency savings

The Committee considered and agreed an SL1

The Committee considered and agreed a Statutory Rule.

The Committee held a closed evidence session with Departmental officials regarding an individual case.