Committee for the Executive Office

Minutes of Proceedings Wednesday 20 March 2024

Committee for the Executive Office Minutes of Proceedings 20 March 2024.pdf (168.11 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA (Chairperson)

Ms Connie Egan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Brian Kingston MLA

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

Ms Emma Sheerin MLA

Ms Claire Sugden MLA

Apologies:

Mr Pádraig Delargy MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Tom Armstrong (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Ms Andrienne Magee (Clerical Supervisor)

In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:

Mr Adam Byrne (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.02pm in open session

1.      Apologies

As noted above.

2.      Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed Members of the details of her trip to Washington D.C.

3.      Draft Minutes

Agreed:  The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 6 March 2024.

4.      Matters Arising

i.        The Committee noted the press release and statement from the February 2024 meeting of the Interparliamentary Forum.

ii.        The Committee noted correspondence from an individual regarding the historical supply of bodies for anatomical study.

Agreed:Members agreed to write to Queen’s University Belfast to ask for comment on the issues raised and for an update from the last mandate.

5.      Oral Evidence Session – Victims and Survivors Service

The witnesses joined the meeting at 2.05pm

Members received a briefing from:

  • Oliver Wilkinson, Chair, Victims and Survivors Service
  • Andrew Walker, CEO, Victims and Survivors Service

The witnesses provided the Committee an overview of the work of the Victims and Survivors Service.

The oral evidence was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for their attendance.

The witnesses left the meeting at 2.59pm

Sinead McLaughlin left the meeting at 3.00pm

6.      Oral Evidence Session – Office of the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors & Victims and Survivors Forum

The witnesses joined the meeting at 3.01pm

Members received a briefing from:

  • Andrew Sloan, Chief Executive, Commission for Victims and Survivors
  • Deborah Howe, Director of Policy Development, Research and Engagement, Commission for Victims and Survivors
  • Natasha Butler, Forum Member, Victims and Survivors Forum
  • David Crabbe, Forum Member, Victims and Survivors Forum

The witnesses provided the Committee with an overview of the work of the Commission for Victims and Survivors & Victims and Survivors Forum.

The oral evidence was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for their attendance.

Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 3.39pm

The witnesses left the meeting at 3.47pm

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to write to the Department to ask for updates on the following:

  • Progress on the appointment of a new Victims and Survivors Commissioner
  • Progress on the draft Victims and Survivors Strategy
  • Update on the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and
    Information Recovery and the transfer of case files
  • Consideration on extending the deadline of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme
  • Progress on the Mother & Baby Homes Inquiry
  • Consideration of how Trauma Awareness Training could be provided to staff who deal with individuals who are a victim or survivor

7.      Draft Forward Work Programme

Agreed:Members agreed that they were content to proceed with the briefings as set out in the work programme.

8.      Correspondence

i.        The Committee noted the summary of Committee Correspondence.

ii.        The Committee noted a letter from the Chair of the Sub-Committee on The Windsor Framework to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office regarding the Illegal Migration Act 2023.

iii.        The Committee noted a letter from the Clerk of the Senedd that the Legislative Consent Motion on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill was not approved by the Senedd.

iv.        The Committee noteda letter from a constituent regarding the Victoria Square Residential Tower.

v.         The Committee noteda letter from the Committee for Health to the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding junior doctor’s pay.

vi.        The Committee noted a memo from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and a briefing paper on the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.

vii.        The Committee noted the Third Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

viii.        The Committee noted the Fourth Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

ix.        The Committee noted documents from the European Affairs Manager following the briefing on 6 March 2024.

x.         The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the Good Relations Indicators 2022 Report.

xi.        The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the positive impact of the Ireland Funds.

xii.        The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the US visit opportunity to generate investment and strengthen relationship.

xiii.        The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the Appointment to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission.

The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the First and deputy First Minister’s keynote address to the NI Bureau breakfast event.

xv.         The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the junior Minister’s visit to Brussels.

The Committee noted a letter from the NI Youth Assembly asking to attend the Committee and discuss matters informally with Members.

Agreed:Members agreed to engage with the Youth Assembly in its initial development and on substantive issues in the future.

The Committee noted a letter from the Law Centre NI requesting to brief the Committee on issues relating to migration.

Agreed:Members agreed to invite the Law Centre NI to brief the Committee at a future date.

The Committee noted a memo from the Clerk to the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee and a response from Professor David Phinnemore on examples of association agreements between the European Union (EU) and European states and what comparisons might be drawn with Northern Ireland and what lessons could be learned.

The Committee noted a press release from the Executive Office on the First Minister and deputy First Minister’s meeting with President Joe Biden.

9.      Any Other Business

None.

10.   Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 10 April 2024 at 2:00pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.50pm

Paula Bradshaw MLA

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

10 April 2024