Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): We now come to the formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill. There are a couple of bits of correspondence to note, but we have discussed some of those in closed session — we have correspondence from the Department of Education providing advice on the scrutiny of the Bill — and, unless there are any comments on that correspondence, the task now before the Committee is to formally determine and set out its position on each proposed amendment and each clause of the Bill. The Committee will divide as necessary, and all decisions will be final.

I will bring David in to reflect a party position from the DUP.

Mr Brooks: Thank you very much, Chair. I restate that we will not divide the Committee on the clauses. Our position is that the Bill is unnecessary and that much of the work is already being taken forward by the Department. As a result, what we do here is without prejudice to what we may do at later stages in the Chamber. We will not seek divisions on the clauses, but that is not to be taken as tacit support for them.

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): Thank you, David. We will ensure that that is reflected in the Committee report.

Mr Burrows: On behalf of my party, I state that my position is the same.

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): OK. Jon's perspective is also noted.

I remind members that, if the Committee is not content with a clause, it can register its formal opposition to the Question that the clause stand part of the Bill, which would ensure that the clause is debated at Consideration Stage.

It is anticipated that the Committee will conclude all formal deliberations at today's meeting. If members are content and have no further questions, we will move to the formal clause-by-clause deliberation. Are members content that we proceed?

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): Clause 1 imposes a duty on the Department of Education to prepare a workforce plan for the Irish-medium education sector. One Committee amendment has been proposed:

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): Clause 2 sets out the Bill's commencement — the date from which the duties in the Bill will apply — and short title. No amendments have been proposed to the clause.

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): That concludes the formal clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, and — the Clerk can keep me right — we will consider the final Committee report at our meeting next week.

The Committee Clerk: Yes.

The Chairperson (Mr Mathison): Are Members agreed?