Minutes of Proceedings - 04 December 2001

Present:
Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA, Chairperson
Mr Gregory Campbell MLA
Mr John Kelly MLA
Mrs Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Pat McNamee MLA
Mr Mark Robinson MLA

Attendees:
Mr Tony Logue, Clerk of Ad hoc Committees
Mr Damien McVeigh

Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA, Deputy Chairperson 
Sir John Gorman MLA 
Mr Mitchell McLaughlin MLA 
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA

2.30pm: The meeting opened in private session-Mr Shipley Dalton in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apologies were noted. It was further noted that the following members would be deputising: Mr Kelly for Mrs Nelis; Mrs Lewsley for Mr Attwood; Mr McNamee for Mr McLaughlin; and Mr Robinson for Mr Paisley.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings

Resolved, that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for Thursday, 29 November 2001 be agreed.

3. Matters arising

Members noted that the Assembly had agreed the Chairperson's motion on the extension of the Committee's reporting period.

4. Correspondence

2.34pm: Mrs Lewsley joined the meeting.

Members noted a letter from Include Youth requesting an opportunity to give evidence to the Committee.

Resolved, that the Committee would invite a written submission from Include Youth.

2.37pm: The Chairperson declared the meeting to be in public session.

5. Evidence session: Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Court Service

2.40pm: The Chairperson called the witnesses to be examined.

Members heard evidence from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the Northern Ireland Court Service. Representing the NIO were-

  • Mr Brian White, Head of Criminal Justice Policy Division;
  • Mr Stephen Webb, Head of Criminal Justice Review Implementation Team; and
  • Mr Mark McGuckin, Head of Criminal Justice Services Division.

Representing the Northern Ireland Court Service were-

  • Mr David Lavery, Director General, Northern Ireland Court Service; and
  • Mr Tommy O'Reilly, Northern Ireland Court Service.

Members noted that Mr Stephen Leach, who was due to lead the delegation from the NIO, was unable to attend because of a family bereavement. The Committee agreed to forward a letter of condolence to Mr Leach.

3.09pm: Mrs Lewsley left the meeting.
3.10pm: Mr Robinson joined the meeting.
3.40pm: Mr Robinson left the meeting.

6. Evidence session: The Committee on the Administration of Justice

3.40pm: The Chairperson called the witnesses to be examined.

Members heard evidence from the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) on the Human Rights aspects of the criminal justice reform proposals. Representing CAJ were-

  • Mr Martin O'Brien, Director;
  • Mr Paul Mageean, Legal Officer; and
  • Ms Maggie Beirne, Research & Policy Officer.

7. Any other business

No other matters were raised.

8. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would next meet at 2.30pm on Tuesday, 11 December 2001.

4.15pm: The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA
CHAIRPERSON
11 December 2001