Minutes of Proceedings

Present:
Mr Chris Lyttle (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr William Humphrey
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Mike Nesbitt
Mr Jimmy Spratt

Apologies:
Mr Tom Elliott (Chairperson)
Mr Colum Eastwood
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr George Robinson
Ms Caitriona Ruane

In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Keith McBride (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen Magee (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Marion Johnson (Clerical Officer)

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

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of proceedings of 28 September 2011 was agreed by the Committee.

3. Proposal to Update Legislation to Reform the office of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman

Representatives from the General Medical Council joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.

Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 2.10 p.m.

Mr Paul Philip and Mr Alan Walker from the General Medical Council briefed the Committee on their role in investigating complaints and their relationship with the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the General Medical Council left the meeting at 2.22 p.m.

Representatives from the Nursing and Midwifery Council joined the meeting at 2.22 p.m.

Ms Jackie Smith and Ms Sarah Page from the Nursing and Midwifery Council briefed the Committee on their role in investigating complaints and their relationship with the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. A question and answer session followed.

Representatives from the Nursing and Midwifery Council left the meeting at 2.29 p.m.

Mr Spratt left the meeting at 2.30 p.m.

4. Matters Arising

Commissioner for Older People

The Committee noted correspondence from the First Minister and Acting deputy First Minister advising of the appointment of the Commissioner for Older People .

Older People’s Strategy

The Committee noted a response from the First Minister and Acting deputy First Minister thanking the Committee for its initial response to the draft Older People’s Strategy .

Arm’s Length Bodies

The Committee noted a response from the Department concerning the review of Arm’s Length Bodies.

Promoting Social Inclusion

The Committee noted a response from the Department providing further information on the membership of the Promoting Social Inclusion Working Group on Disability.

Commissioner for Public Appointments

The Committee noted a response from the Commissioner for Public Appointments concerning appointments to the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

Voice of Young People in Care

The Deputy Chairperson reminded Members of an invite from the Voice of Young People in Care to attend an event it is holding on Wednesday 26 October. Members agreed to contact the Committee Office if they wished to attend.

Mr Spratt re-joined the meeting at 2.33 p.m.

List of Outstanding Issues

The Committee noted the list of outstanding issues.

5. Correspondence

Committee for Justice

The Committee considered correspondence from the Committee for Justice in relation to the timescales for the arrival of the draft Programme for Government .

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request details of the timescales.

Equal Pay

The Committee noted copies of correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel and the Committee for Justice regarding delays in Equal Pay settlement.

International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The Committee noted correspondence from the First Minister and Acting deputy First Minister advising the Committee of the outcome of the UN hearing on the UK’s Report into its implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing further information on the nature of an inquiry in historical institutional child abuse.

Electronic Meeting Packs

The Deputy Chairperson requested that Members complete a questionnaire regarding electronic meeting packs if they have not done so already.

Chinese Consul General

The Committee noted correspondence from the Chinese Consul General thanking the Committee for hosting a dinner during his first visit to Northern Ireland.

The Department’s Equality Scheme

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing a copy of its consultation on its Equality Scheme.

The Department’s Resource Accounts 2010-2011

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department providing a copy of its Resource Accounts 2010-2011.

NI Judicial Appointments Commission Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2010-2011

The Committee noted the NI Judicial Appointments Commission Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2010-2011.

6. Social Investment Fund and Social Protection Fund

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.40 p.m.

Mr Tim Losty and Mr Ricky Irwin briefed the Committee on the Social Investment Fund and Social Protection Fund. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 3.47p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request further information in relation to pre-consultation and the launch of the consultation on the Strategic Investment Fund. The Committee also agreed to request that it be forwarded copies of responses to the consultation as they are received in the Department.

7. Review of the European Division

Departmental officials joined the meeting at 3.50 p.m.

Dr Gerry Mulligan and Mr Alan Boyd briefed the Committee on the Review of the Department’s European Division. A question and answer session followed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 4.18 p.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the clerk would draft a response for consideration at next week’s meeting.

8. Press Releases

The Committee noted a number of press releases.

9. Any Other Business

No other business.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be in Room 30, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 12 October 2011 at 2 p.m.

• The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.23 p.m.

Mr Chris Lyttle MLA
Deputy Chairperson,
Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister