Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 5 December 2024
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings 5 December 2024.pdf (157.07 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Philip McGuigan MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Steve Aiken MLA
Declan Kearney MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Emma Sheerin MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
Present by Video:
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
None
In Attendance:
Marie Austin (Clerk)
Chris Dickison (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Jessica Jacques (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Victoria Bourquin (Assistant Clerk)
Sinead Kelly (Assistant Clerk)
Oliver Bellew (Clerical Supervisor)
Shelley Garner (Clerical Officer)
In Attendance by Video:
Leigh Gibson (Senior Assistant Clerk)
Suzanne Walsh (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced at 10.06am in closed session.
The Chairperson welcomed Peter Martin MLA to the Committee and thanked Joanne Bunting MLA for her past contributions.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Members’ Interest
None.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2024.
4. Matters Arising
None.
5. Directive (EU) 2024/2853 on liability for defective products and repealing Council Directive 85/374/EEC – Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee considered Directive (EU) 2024/2853 on liability for defective products and repealing Council Directive 85/374/EEC.
The following official joined the meeting at 10.07am:
Dr Victoria Trimble, Trade Regulation Branch, Department for the Economy
The official gave oral evidence on Directive (EU) 2024/2853.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The official left the meeting at 10.42am.
The Committee noted that a Citizen Space survey had launched with a closing date of 8 December 2024, and that the responses and a draft report would be considered at the meeting on 12 December 2024.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research from RaISe analysing the likely cost implications posed by Directive EU 2024/2853 for businesses based in Great Britain that supply products to Northern Ireland, including likely impacts on the cost of liability insurance premiums and any other associated costs.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to contact the Consumer Council to request comments on the likely cost implications posed by Directive EU 2024/2853 for businesses based in Great Britain that supply products to Northern Ireland, including likely impacts on the cost of liability insurance premiums and any other associated costs.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Executive Office (TEO), noting that analysis of the potential cumulative effects of Directive EU 2024/2853 and other related EU acts, including for businesses based in Great Britain that supply products to Northern Ireland, may be an area of work for TEO to consider.
Emma Sheerin joined the meeting at 10.49am.
6. Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures – Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee considered Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.51am:
Mark McGregor, Principal – Legislation, Goods Regulation and Chemicals Branch, Department for the Economy
Gareth Lyons, Deputy Principal – Legislation, Goods Regulation and Chemicals Branch, Department for the Economy
Aaron McKendry, Principal Scientific Officer, Department of Health
Jennifer Stewart, Firearms and Explosives Branch, Department of Justice.
The officials gave oral evidence on Regulation (EU) 2024/2865.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials left the meeting at 11.20am.
The Committee noted that a Citizen Space survey had launched with a closing date of 8 December 2024, and that the responses and a draft report would be considered at the meeting on 12 December 2024.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Health and Safety Executive to request feedback from its consultation with stakeholders in Great Britain regarding the potential impact of Regulation (EU) 2024/2865.
7. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
8. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed Members that both he and the Deputy Chairperson met with Members of the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Tuesday 3 December 2024, and provided a summary of the issues discussed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add a meeting with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee to its programme for its visit to Westminster in February 2025.
9. Any Other Business
None.
10. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 December 2024 at 10:00am in Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.24am.
Philip McGuigan, MLA,
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
