Committee for Finance - Minutes of Proceedings 16 October 2024.pdf (157.97 kb)

Committee for Finance

Minutes of Proceedings 16 October 2024

Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings, Belfast

Present:

Matthew O’Toole MLA (Chairperson)

Diane Forsythe MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Paul Frew MLA

Eóin Tennyson MLA

Steve Aiken MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Gerry Carroll MLA

Deirdre Hargey MLA

Nicola Brogan MLA

Apologies:

Phillip Brett MLA

In Attendance: Peter Hall Committee Clerk

Clarita Frazer Assistant Assembly Clerk

Sarah-Anne McKinley Assistant Assembly Clerk

Stephen Magee Clerical Supervisor

Heather Graham Clerical Officer

The meeting commenced at 1:39pm in public session.

The Committee agreed that the planned training in effective questioning would take place as an informal session following the formal meeting.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

3. Chairperson’s Business

3.1 The Chairperson referred to an invitation to the launch of the Centre for Public Policy and Administration on Friday 25 October from 9am to 1pm.

This invitation was originally included in the 2nd October pack; however, there has been a change in venue from Queen’s University Belfast to Isdell Courtyard, Riddel Hall, Stranmillis Road.

The Committee noted the invitation and update on the venue change.

4. Draft Minutes of Proceedings

There was a typographical error in the minutes issued as part of the main meeting pack so the minutes were revised and re-issued with the tabled pack.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the revised Minutes of Proceedings from the meeting of 9th October 2024.

5. Civil Law Reform Report on Gender Recognition Act – Oral briefing from Queen’s University Belfast

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 1:42pm:

Professor Ioana Latu, School of Psychology, QUB

Dr Phoebe McKenna-Plumley, School of Psychology, QUB

The witnesses briefed the Committee on their 2022 Report evaluating the operation of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 here, as well as further policy options.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

A number of issues were discussed including the Gender Recognition Act remit and the comparison of Northern Ireland to neighbouring jurisdictions in the UK, Ireland and across Europe.

The officials left the meeting at 2:11pm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Department what policy work has been progressed since the Gender Recognition Act Report was published in 2022.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to follow up with Professor Latu and Dr McKenna-Plumley in relation to issues raised about ID documents.

6. Draft Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme, as drafted.

The Committee noted the following evidence sessions as part of the Forward Work Programme:

  • Oral briefings from DoF officials on the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill and the Head of the Civil Service and officials on the work of the Interim Public Sector Transformation Board confirmed for next week’s meeting;
  • The Committee will pursue an oral briefing from the Financial Conduct Authority as part of its inquiry into the banking and financial landscape; and
  • Oral briefing from Open Government Northern Ireland will take place on either 4th or 11th December meeting, with a date to be confirmed in due course.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Forward Work Programme should be published on the Committee webpages.

7. Any Other Business

None.

8. Date and Time of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at 2:00pm Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:12pm.

Matthew O’Toole MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Finance

23 October 2024