Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in closed session at 2.03 p.m.        

Apologies

None

1.  Historical Institutional Abuse Bill

The Bill Clerk briefed the Committee on the process for consideration of the Bill. The Chairperson went through the issues that have been raised during the Committee’s evidence sessions.

Mr Lyttle joined the meeting at 2.15 p.m.

The meeting moved into public session at 2.18 p.m.

2.  Chairperson’s Business

List of Invitations

The Committee noted the list of current invitations.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

Maze Long Kesh Corporation

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek further information on the appointment of the Chairperson of the Maze/Long Kesh Corporation Board and the role of the newly appointed Chairperson in the first appointment panel.

3.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 19 September 2012 was agreed by the Committee.

3. End of Session Report

Agreed: The Committee considered and agreed that the End of Session Report for May 2011- August 2012 be published.

4. Correspondence

Committee for Employment and Learning

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning in relation to a briefing it received on Framework Programme 7 and Horizon 2020 from Invest NI.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to keep the Committee for Employment and Learning updated on all forthcoming strategies relating to Europe.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.13 p.m.

Committee for Social Development

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Social Development regarding a research paper entitled Mapping Poverty and Social Deprivation.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the research paper to the Department for comment. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department to request a written update on the implementation of the objectives within the Child Poverty Strategy.

Save the Children

The Committee noted correspondence from Save the Children providing a copy of a news release highlighting a report on Child Poverty in 2012.

5.  The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill   

The Chair of the Inquiry Panel into Historical Institutional Abuse joined the meeting at 2.28p.m.

Mr Humphrey joined the meeting at 2.22 p.m.

Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 2.45 p.m.

Mr Buchanan joined the meeting at 2.57 p.m.

Sir Anthony Hart, Chair of the Inquiry Panel into Historical Institutional Abuse, accompanied by Mr Andrew Browne, Secretary to the Inquiry and Mr Patrick Butler, Solicitor to the Inquiry briefed the Committee on his response to issues raised during evidence sessions in relation to the scrutiny of the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill. A question and answer session followed.

The Chair of the Inquiry Panel into Historical Institutional Abuse left the meeting at 3.22 p.m.

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.26 p.m.

Departmental officials Ms Maggie Smith, Mrs Cathy McMullan and Ms Patricia Carey briefed the Committee on the Department’s response to issues raised during evidence sessions in relation to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.50 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarification on the reason for the delay in receiving papers.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 3.54 p.m.

Mr Buchanan left the meeting at 3.54 p.m.

Mr Clarke left the meeting at 3.54 p.m.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 3.54 p.m.

Mr Maskey left the meeting at 3.54 p.m.

The Chairperson recommenced the meeting at 4.03 p.m.

6.  October Monitoring Round  

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 4.03 p.m.

Mr Eastwood left the meeting at 4.36p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Noel Lavery, Dr Denis McMahon and Mr Gavin Patrick briefed the Committee on the Department’s October Monitoring Round Proposals. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.42 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request that it be informed of the final proposals submitted to the Department of Finance and Personnel.

7.  Childcare Strategy  

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 4.42 p.m.

Departmental officials Mr Fergus Devitt and Mr Martin Tyrell briefed the Committee on the Childcare Strategy. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.58 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request a breakdown of the £322k which has already been spent in relation to the Childcare Strategy. The Committee also agreed to request that it receives a copy of the consultation document before it is published for consultation.

8. Any Other Business

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

9. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 3 October 2012 at 2 p.m.

The  Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5.02 p.m. 

Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister