Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Last week, members were provided with a draft copy of the Committee's report on its consideration and scrutiny of the Sign Language Bill, and I asked members to forward any amendments to the Committee team by noon yesterday, Wednesday 4 February. I will confirm with the Clerk that no amendments were received.

The Committee Clerk: No.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): That is a testament to the quality of the report; it is excellent. No amendments were received, but there is an updated version of the report, with small additions from the team, in your packs. The additions are shown in red, for ease of identification. Do members wish to propose any final amendments to the draft report before I commence formal agreement for the record?

Ms K Armstrong: This is a bit of a strange one, members, so listen. Is it out of order —.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): It likely is, Kellie. [Laughter.]

Ms K Armstrong: Is it out of order for us to thank our Clerk and the team in the report, to make the thanks formal? The work on this Bill has been very impressive. Credit where credit is due: the Assembly and the Clerk's team have made it very easy and inclusive for people who are deaf. I do not know whether, as members, there is a way to do that or even whether it is appropriate to do it in a formal, professional Committee report, but they have been outstanding. I have had comments from some of the organisations that attended witness sessions, and they were stunned by how much they felt included, how open and flowing the debate was and how much they were able to interact with the Committee and even with the Department.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Given the unprecedented nature of how the scrutiny had to be done and the exemplary way in which it was done, it would absolutely be appropriate to include a formal note to say that Committee members wish to thank the Committee team for the nature —. It would need to be worded better, so I will have to ask the Clerk to do that. That will be very difficult for her, but I do not see any reason why, in principle, we would not do that, to be honest. We could agree a form of words by email and sign off on the report today.

The Committee Clerk: I would like to seek advice on that, but thank you very much for the comments. There is an acknowledgements section in the report that acknowledges everybody else, so we can see if there is a way to do that.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): That is absolutely appropriate. I have said that repeatedly. There really was outstanding co-production and engagement throughout the Committee's scrutiny.

Mrs Cameron: I agree. Given the unique circumstances of this piece of legislation, that would be appropriate. I know that it might feel a bit uncomfortable or awkward for the team because self-praise is no praise and all that, but I completely agree that, if we can include it, we should.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): It has been unprecedented, and therefore doing something different is entirely appropriate. It is a really good exemplar. Clerk, we will go ahead and agree the rest of the report, and you can then bring that back to us. If members have nothing else to raise, we will move to the formal consideration? I will now proceed through the report and seek the Committee's formal agreement on the report as drafted.

Are members content that the title page, the contents page and the pages on Committee powers, membership and the list of abbreviations and acronyms stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the executive summary section at paragraphs 1 to 9 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the introduction section at paragraphs 10 to 17 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the Committee approach section at paragraphs 18 to 30 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the section on consideration of the Bill at paragraphs 31 to 47 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the section on clause-by-clause scrutiny of the Bill at paragraphs 48 to 66 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the recommendations section at paragraphs 67 to 90 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the acknowledgements section at paragraph 91 stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): I refer you to the appendices section of the report. From paragraph 92, you will find a list of what will be included. The team is continuing to work on redacting relevant documents. Are members content that the appendices stand part of the report?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content that the report on the Sign Language Bill be the ninth report of the Committee for Communities?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): OK, members. Thank you for that. Please note that any typographical or formatting errors in the report will be amended at final proofing stage before it is circulated to MLAs and published on the Committee website.

Are members content for the report to be laid in the Business Office, circulated to all MLAs and published on the Committee web pages on Thursday 12 February to allow for signed content to be developed and made available to members of the deaf community simultaneously.

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Are members content to send an embargoed copy of the Bill report to the Minister for Communities?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): Lastly, I ask members to review the draft press release to mark the end of the Committee Stage? Are members content for the team to work with communications colleagues to distribute to media, as appropriate, and, if required, embargo its release?

The Chairperson (Mr Gildernew): That concludes what has been a really significant piece of work. Thank you all for your scrutiny, attendance and engagement with the sectors. It has been a really diligent piece of work by the Committee, and, as I have said, and as has been very appropriately noted, I will give a final thanks to the Clerk and all the team here who did all the work throughout this unique and important Bill. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.