Minutes of Proceedings - 13 December 2001

Present:
Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA, Chairperson
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Mick Murphy MLA
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin MLA 
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr MLA

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

Apologies:
Mr Alex Attwood MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA, Deputy Chairperson 
Sir John Gorman MLA 
Mrs Mary Nelis MLA

2.50pm: The meeting opened in private session-Mr Shipley Dalton in the Chair.

1. Apologies

The apologies were noted. It was further noted that Mr Murphy would be deputising for Mrs Nelis.

2. Draft Minutes of Proceedings

Resolved, that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for Tuesday, 11 December 2001 be agreed.

3. Matters arising

Members noted a research paper prepared by Research and Library Services detailing the role of public prosecutors in Northern Ireland and other jurisdictions.

4. Written submissions

Members noted a written submission received on behalf of Include Youth and the Children's Law Centre. It was agreed that the submission be appended to the Committee's Report.

5. Party submissions

Members noted position papers from the Alliance Party; and the Social Democratic and Labour Party, it was further noted that Sinn Fein had made a preliminary submission. It was agreed that parties could make submissions up to the end of the Christmas recess period.

6. Report of the Committee's Proceedings

Members noted a discussion paper, prepared by the Committee Clerk, on possible issues to raise in the Committee's Report. Following deliberation, it was agreed that the Committee Clerk should prepare a draft Report for consideration at the Committee's next meeting.

7. Any other business

The Chairperson informed members that he had received an invitation from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Des Browne, to meet and discuss issues that had been raised during the Committee's proceedings. It was agreed that the Chairperson should accept this invitation and that the Committee Clerk should be in attendance at that meeting.

8. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that it would next meet at 11.30am on Monday, 7 January 2002.

4.20pm: The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Duncan Shipley Dalton MLA
CHAIRPERSON
8 January 2002