Minutes of Proceedings - 25 September 2000

Present:Mr F Agnew (Chairman)
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr B Armstrong
Mr E McGrady
Mr A Attwood
Mr A Maginness
Dr E Birnie
Mr A Maskey
Mr J Dallat
Ms J Morrice
Mr N Dodds
Mr C Murphy
Mr D Ford (Deputy Chairman)
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Ms M Gildernew
Mr K Robinson
Mr D HusseyMr P Robinson

In Attendance:Mr M RickardMiss J Adair
Mrs G ArdisMiss L Tracey

The Committee met at 4.05 pm.

1.Apologies/Substitutions

The Chairman welcomed Mr Hutchinson who was substituting for Mr Ervine at the meeting.

2.Minutes of meeting of 19 September 2000

The minutes of the meeting of 19 September 2000 were agreed.

Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 4.10 pm.

3.Matters Arising from the Minutes of Proceedings

(i)The Chairman stated that the Assembly's legal adviser is available to provide advice and information on the content of the draft Regulations. The members were informed by the Clerk that the Committee did not have the power to call witnesses. However the NIO had indicated that it will consider any request from the Committee for further information on the draft Regulations.

After some further discussion it was agreed that the Committee would invite the Secretary of State, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Chairman of the Equality Commission to give evidence to the Committee on the draft Regulations.

It was also agreed that the Chairman should issue a press release inviting written submissions from organisations or individuals on the proposed Regulations.

It was acknowledged that due to the very short time available it may not be possible to arrange for the attendance of those to give oral evidence.

(ii)Accommodation

The Chairman confirmed that there were no other suitable rooms available that would increase the number of dates and times available for meetings.

(iii)Voting

It was agreed that the Committee would follow Standing Orders. Decisions requiring a vote would be taken by a simple majority and indicated by a show of hands.

The meeting was opened to the public at 4.20 pm.

Mr Dallat joined the meeting at 4.20 pm.

4.Discussion of Committee Work Programme and Related Issues

A wide ranging discussion took place on how the Committee would take its work forward.

It was proposed that each group within the Committee would set out a series of propositions to reflect their respective views on the draft Regulations. These could be amended if desired following the consideration of the oral and written evidence.

The series of propositions would then form the basis of the Committee's report. This proposal was subject to a vote with a show of hands indicating that 11 members were in support whilst 7 members were against.

The Committee therefore resolved that the Clerk would proceed to obtain the information in accordance with this decision.

5.Date of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed that the Chairman and Clerk would liase about the date of the next meeting as it would be dependent on the availability of those to be invited to give oral evidence.

The meeting closed at 4.40 pm.

FRASER AGNEW
Committee Chairman
September 2000