Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 20 June 2024
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings 20 June 2024.pdf (109.38 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Philip McGuigan MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Joanne Bunting MLA
Stephen Dunne MLA
Steve Aiken MLA
Present by Video:
Connie Egan MLA
Emma Sheerin MLA
Apologies:
Declan Kearney MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
In Attendance:
Marie Austin (Assembly Clerk)
Sinead Kelly (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Victoria Bourquin (Assistant Clerk)
Marion Johnson (Assistant Clerk)
Shelley Garner (Clerical Officer)
Suzanne Patton (Clerical Officer)
In Attendance by Video:
Leigh Gibson (Senior Assistant Clerk)
The meeting commenced at 10.00am in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Members’ Interest
No interests were declared.
3. Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956 – Legal Advice
Jonathan McMillen, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services joined the meeting at 10.02am.
Members considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following published replacement EU act:
Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the published replacement act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
A question and answer session followed.
Jonathan McMillen left the meeting at 10.07am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to continue its consideration of the replacement EU act in open session.
4. Committee Travel
Members considered possible dates for visits to Brussels and Westminster, and a draft itinerary for the Brussels visit.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft itinerary for the Brussels visit. Further, the Committee agreed that travel options, including associated costs, should be identified for consideration.
Agreed: Members agreed to move to open session at 10.13am.
The meeting commenced at 10.13am in open session.
5. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2024.
6. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
7. Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956 – Departmental oral evidence
The Committee considered Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.14am:
Dorcas Cutrona, Head of Vehicle Policy Branch, Department for Infrastructure
David Gibson, Vehicle Policy Branch, Department for Infrastructure
The officials gave oral evidence on Regulation (EU) 2024/1610.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials left the meeting at 10.20am.
Members noted that, in order to meet its statutory requirements, the Committee must decide whether or not to hold an inquiry into the published replacement EU act.
The Committee had regard to:
(i) the legal advice on whether it appears likely that the replacement EU act significantly differs (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU instrument which it replaces, and
(ii) the departmental initial assessment on whether it appears likely that the replacement act would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to hold an inquiry into the replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
The Committee noted that its decision would be published on the Committee webpage.
8. Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 of 30 May 2024 amending Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff
The Committee considered Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 of 30 May 2024 amending Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff, which was published in the EU Official Journal on 10 June 2024.
The Committee noted that, as advised by the Cabinet Office, the Regulation is not within the lateral scope of the Stormont Brake.
9. Information papers on EU Matters
The Committee considered the following information papers on EU matters prepared by the Assembly EU Affairs team:
- Committee Remits
- Common Frameworks
- The Democratic Consent Mechanism.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the papers be published on the Committee webpage.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to all MLAs notifying them of the published papers.
10. Correspondence
The Committee considered a response from the Department of Health to its request for views on issues raised by the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry regarding the calculation of costs for transitioning the reimbursement from amalgam to composite fillings.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the response on the Committee webpage as part of the evidence received in relation to the EU Act.
11. Chairperson’s Business
Given that the Committee will need to meet during summer recess to discharge its statutory functions, the Chairperson asked Members to notify the secretariat of the dates when they are unable to attend a Committee meeting during the July and August period.
12. Any Other Business
No business was raised.
13. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11th July 2024 at 10:00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.25am.
Philip McGuigan, MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
