Committee for Health

Minutes of proceeding 08 May 2025

Committee for Health minutes of proceedings 8 May 2025.pdf (152.42 kb)

Meeting Location: NIFRS Learning and Development College, Cookstown

Present:                   

Philip McGuigan MLA (Chairperson)

Danny Donnelly MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Órlaithí Flynn MLA

Colin McGrath MLA

Alan Robinson MLA

Apologies:               

Alan Chambers MLA

Linda Dillon MLA

Diane Dodds MLA

Nuala McAllister MLA

In Attendance:       

Keith McBride, Clerk

Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk

Angela McParland. Assistant Clerk

Jonathan Lamont, Clerical Supervisor

The meeting commenced at 2.27pm in public session.


1.      Apologies

As above.


2.      Chairperson’s Business

None.


3.      Matters Arising

None.


4.      General Overview - Oral Briefing by NI Fire and Rescue Service

The Chairperson thanked the staff of the NI Fire and Rescue Service for hosting the meeting and for providing an excellent tour of the learning and development facility.

The Chairperson also expressed the gratitude of the Committee to the staff of the  NIFRS for their selfless dedication in dealing with the recent spate of gorse fires.

The following representatives joined the meeting at 2.29pm:

  • Aidan Jennings - Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, NIFRS;
  • Paul Harper - Deputy Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, NIFRS; and,
  • Paula White - Director of Finance and Support Services, NIFRS.

The Chairperson welcomed the representatives and invited them to brief the Committee.

The representatives provided a general overview of the work of the NIFRS.

Órlaithí Flynn joined the meeting at 2.39pm.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.


5.      Draft Minutes

The Committee agreed the draft Minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2025.


6.      General Overview - Oral Briefing by NI Ambulance Service

The Chairperson thanked the staff of the NI Ambulance Service for the outstanding work it does in protecting the community.

The following representatives joined the meeting at 4.02pm:

  • Lynn Charlton – Director of Safety, Quality and Improvement, NI Ambulance Service; and,
  • Neil Sinclair – Chief Paramedic Officer and Interim Director of Operations, NI Ambulance Service.

The Chairperson welcomed the representatives and invited them to brief the Committee.

The representatives provided a general overview of the work of the NIAS.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

Alan Robinson left the meeting at 4.32pm.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their briefing.


7.      Any Other Business

None.


8.      Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to take place at 2pm on Thursday 15 May 2025.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.40pm.

Philip McGuigan MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Health

15 May 2025