Committee for the Executive Office
Minutes of Proceedings - Wednesday 19th January 2022
Committee for the Executive Office
Minutes of Proceedings
Wednesday 19th January 2022
Meeting Location: Room 30 Parliament Buildings
Present:
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA (Chairperson)
Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Lunn MLA
Ms Emma Sheerin MLA
Mr Padraig Delargy MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Mr Alex Easton MLA
Apologies:
Ms Diane Dodds MLA
Mr Pat Sheehan MLA
Mr Christopher Stalford MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sarah-Anne McKinley (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Alison Belshaw (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.07pm in open session.
1. Apologies
As above.
Diane Dodds, due to Plenary business, was unable to attend and delegated her vote to Christopher Stalford.
Christopher Stalford was moving amendments on the Integrated Education Bill in the Assembly chamber and was unable to attend
Pat Sheehan, due to Plenary business, was unable to attend.
2. Chairperson Business
The Chairperson condemned the recent murder of Aisling Murphy in Co. Offaly and other victims of violence against women and girls.
The Chairperson updated the Committee that an online event on the proposed Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and Strategy to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls will be held on Thursday 24 February 2022.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First and deputy First Minister to urge actions on the issue to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls before the Strategy is finalised.
The Chairperson updated the Committee that the Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill was introduced on 17 January 2022 and how it will be referred to the Committee for the Executive Office for scrutiny.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite the Bill sponsor Chris Lyttle MLA to brief the Committee on the Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue a call for evidence ahead of the Committee Stage of the Bill.
The Chairperson updated the Committee that the Assembly approved the Statement of Principles for the handling of complaints on Tuesday 18 January 2022. The Public Services Ombudsman will now adopt the Statement of Principles for the handling of complaints.
The Chairperson updated the Committee in relation to the informal meeting with Victims and Survivors Forum that took place in the Long Gallery on Tuesday 18 January 2022 and thanked Members for their contributions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First and deputy First Minister for an update on the appointment of a Commissioner of Victims and Survivors and the appointment of Departmental Champions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Health Minister for an update on the establishment of a Regional Trauma Service.
The Chairperson updated the Committee on how EU Exit matters were referred to the Committee in June 2020 and how additional resource was provided to assist in the scrutiny of this area.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Clerk Assistant to request these EU Exit resources are retained for the Committee for the Executive Office beyond the current mandate.
The Chairperson referred the Committee to correspondence from the European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland to the Home Office and correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in relation to the UK Governments Nationality and Borders Bill and how Clause 71 of the Bill relates to the introduction of Electronic Travel Authorisation process.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Secretary of State to seek clarity on the effects of Clause 71 of the UK Government Nationality and Borders Bill and its impact on the Common Travel Area.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Shadow Secretary of State to reinforce the importance of protecting the Common Travel Area in relation to the UK Government’s Nationality and Borders.
The Chairperson referred the Committee to correspondence from the NIA EU Affairs Manager in relation to an update on the Common Frameworks programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the other Statutory Committees for their views on the scrutiny process and to collate this feedback to forward to the Executive Office and the other legislatures.
The Committee was suspended under Standing Order 62 at 2.21pm.
The Committee resumed at 2.25pm.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12th January 2022.
4. Department Officials Truth Recovery Programme – Oral Briefing
Officials joined the meeting at 2.09pm.
- Mr Gareth Johnston Director of Good Relations and Inclusion Directorate, The Executive Office.
- Mr Colin Moffett, Truth Recovery Programme Director, The Executive Office.
Officials briefed the Committee in relation to progress of the implementation of the recommendations contained within Truth Recovery Design Panel’s report by the Executive Office.
The Committee was suspended under Standing Order 62 at 2.33pm.
The Committee resumed at 2.38pm.
The oral evidence session was followed by a question and answer session.
Officials agreed to share written updates to the Committee in relation to progress on the implementation of the recommendations contained within Truth Recovery Design Panel’s report.
The Chairperson thanked officials for their attendance.
The Committee was suspended under Standing Order 62 at 3.01pm
The Committee resumed at 3.07pm.
5. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for January and February 2022.
6. Correspondence
- The Committee noted correspondence from the House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in relation to the UK Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill.
- The Committee noted a joint statement from the EU Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss regarding the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
- The Committee noted a statement from the UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in relation to the talks on the Protocol on Ireland/ Northern Ireland with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.
- The Committee noted correspondence from the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding Civic Engagement and the EU.
- The Committee noted a call for evidence from the Executive Office in relation to views on new strategies to end abuse and violence.
- The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office regarding views on new strategies to end abuse and violence.
- The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in relation to information following the Committee for the Executive Office evidence session on 15 December 2021.
- The Committee noted the Annual Report and Accounts 2020-2021 from the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation.
- The Committee noted correspondence from the NIA EU Affairs Manager regarding the Review of Intergovernmental Relations.
- The Committee noted a survey from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry titled ‘Quarterly Economic Survey Summary - January 2022.’
7. Any Other Business
The Committee discussed the subject of an official apology for historical institutional abuse.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to confirm the expected date of an official apology.
8. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 January 2022 at 2:00pm, in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.32pm.
Sinéad McLaughlin MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office
