Committee for The Executive Office - Minutes of Proceedings 16 October 2024.pdf (165.04 kb)

Committee for The Executive Office

Minutes of Proceedings - 16 October 2024

Meeting Location: Ebrington Hotel

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 Emma Sheerin MLA

Ms Claire Sugden MLA

Apologies:

Mr Timothy Gaston MLA

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Tom Armstrong (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Michael McClelland (Clerical Supervisor)

Ms Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.04pm in open session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson thanked the Committee staff and The Executive Office for organising the visit to Ebrington.

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 9 October 2024.

5. Matters Arising

The Chairperson read the draft wording for the Committee Motion on a Review of Racist Incidents.

Agreed: The Members agreed they were content with the motion as drafted:

That this Assembly condemns ongoing racist incidents in our community; and calls upon the First Minister and deputy First Minister to urgently carry out a comprehensive review into the racist attacks of July and August 2024 (to include what happened, why it happened, who was involved) and to bring forward proposals on how to prevent it happening again.

Agreed: The Members agreed that the Chairperson could submit the motion on behalf of the Committee.

The Chairperson noted a correction and amendment to the QUB briefing paper on 9 October.

The Committee discussed the request for legal advice in relation to recalling the First Minister, deputy First Minister and junior Ministers to the Committee. The Clerk advised that, the legal advice sought by the Committee may be ready by 22 October, or sooner if possible.

6. Oral Briefing – Strategic Investment

The witnesses joined the meeting at 2.08pm

Members received a briefing from:

  • Scott Wilson – Head of Regeneration and Interim Head of Investment Strategy, Strategic Investment Board Ltd
  • Joan O’Hara, Director of Urban Villages & Infrastructure, TEO
  • Johneen Wright, Acting Head of Strategic Investment and Regeneration, TEO

The witnesses provided the Committee with an overview of strategic investment.

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 3:14pm.

7. Inquiry into Gaps in Equality Legislation – Update

Members were advised that Committee Staff are currently liaising with Engagement regarding the event on Wednesday 4th December.

8. Draft Forward Work Programme

Members considered the draft forward work programme

Members discussed inviting the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the junior Ministers to the Committee on 23 October, in advance of the legal advice.

Agreed: Members agreed to invite the First Minister, deputy First Minister and junior Ministers to the Committee on 23 October, or on any other date when the Ministers are available.

Agreed: Members agreed to submit written questions for the Ministers by close of business on Friday 18 October.

Agreed: Members agreed to invite the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland to the Committee on 6 November.

Agreed: Members agreed to invite the Truth Recovery Panel to discuss the access to Mother and Baby Institution records.

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

9. Correspondence

  1. The Committee noted the summary of Committee correspondence.
  2. The Committee noted correspondence from COPNI on Draft Programme for Government 2024-2027.
  3. The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Communities on the Closure of the NI Resettlement Team.
  4. The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Communities requesting information on ongoing work the department is currently undertaking involving engagement with disability fora and their members.
  5. The Committee noted analysis of 2024-25 Outturn and Forecast Outturn  
  6. The Committee noted correspondence from COSICA - Disability Action Plan Consultation and request for feedback.
  7. The Committee noted Change of Venue Notification for launch event for the Centre for Public Policy and Administration.
  8. The Committee noted the Twenty Fourth Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
  9. The Committee noted correspondence from an Individual regarding Committee meeting of 9 October 2024.
  10. The Committee noted correspondence from The Speaker regarding Standing Order 66(2)

10. Any Other Business

There was no other business.

11. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at 2:00pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:33pm.

Paula Bradshaw MLA

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office