Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in closed session at 2.05 p.m.        

Apologies

None

1.  Historical Institutional Abuse Bill

The Assembly’s Legal Services briefed the Committee on a number of issues that were raised during the Committee’s evidence gathering on the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill.

Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 2.20 p.m

Agreed:The Committee would respond to correspondence from solicitors regarding the Bill. 

2.  Chairperson’s Business

Parades Commission

The Committee considered correspondence from the Chair of the Parades Commission seeking to engage with the Committee about issues affecting the Commission’s work.

Agreed:The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would have a preliminary meeting with the Chair of the Parades Commission.

The meeting moved into public session at 2.42 p.m.

New Members

The Chairperson welcomed the new Members of the Committee. The Committee noted the new Members’ Declaration of Interests.

The Chairperson thanked the previous Members of the Committee Thomas Buchanan, Trevor Clarke and William Humphrey for their work on the Committee.

Attorney General

The Committee considered an invitation from the Attorney General to the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson to attend a discussion on Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Agreed:The Committee was content that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson attend the discussion event.

Mental Health Week

The Committee considered an invitation to participate in a Mental Health Week event in the Great Hall on Tuesday 9 October 2012, called “Don’t lose your marbles”.

Agreed:The Committee agreed that the Committee would take part in the event.

Social Investment Fund Briefing

The Committee considered correspondence from Ministers advising that officials would be unavailable to brief the Committee at today’s meeting and requesting that the briefing be rescheduled for the meeting on 10 October2012.

Agreed:The Committee agreed to reschedule the briefing.

3.  Draft minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2012

Agreed:The draft minutes of proceedings of 26 September 2012 was agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters Arising

International Development Strategy

The Committee considered a response from the Department in relation to the All-Party Group on International Development’s International Development Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request that it be kept updated on progress.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

5. Correspondence

Committee for the Environment

Agreed:The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from the Committee for the Environment in relation to the Planning Appeals Commission to the Department.

6.  The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill   

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.56 p.m.

Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 3.52 p.m.

Departmental officials Ms Maggie Smith, Mrs Cathy McMullan and Mr Michael Harkin briefed the Committee on the Department’s response to issues raised during evidence sessions in relation to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Bill. The Committee undertook an informal clause-by-clause examination of the Bill in light of the issues raised in written and oral evidence to the Committee.

Departmental officials agreed to take back a number of issues to Ministers for consideration.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.22p.m.

7. Any Other Business

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 10 October 2012 at 2 p.m.

The  Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.23 p.m.

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