Proceedings of the Sub-Group to Consider the Economic Challenges Facing Northern Ireland - 03 August 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 3 August 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings at 3.30pm.

In the Chair: Jim Wells

Present: Dr Esmond Birnie
Wilson Clyde
John Dallat
David Ford
Michelle Gildernew MP
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Barry McElduff
David McNarry
Peter Weir

In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Colin Jones (Assistant Clerk)
Paul Stitt (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Peter Gilleece (Senior Researcher)

The meeting commenced at 3.33pm in closed session.

1. Apologies

Mitchel McLaughlin (Mr McElduff attended the meeting as SF representative in place of Mr McLaughlin).

Sean Neeson.

Ian Paisley Jnr (Mr Clyde attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley Jnr).

Margaret Ritchie (John Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Ms Ritchie).

2. Matters Arising

Members noted that the draft minutes for both meetings on 3 August would be available for the meeting on 8 August.

3. Emerging Issues

Mr McNarry joined the meeting at 3.45pm.

Dr Gilleece presented his paper on the issues emerging from the oral evidence received to date.

Members debated and agreed the key issues emerging from the evidence in relation to the sub-group’s terms of reference.

Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 4.45pm.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 4.50pm.

4. Any Other Business

Mr McNarry suggested that members of the Youth Council should be asked to give evidence to the sub-group.

5. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Tuesday 8 August 2006 at 10.00am.

The meeting adjourned at 5.00pm.