Policy and Research
Policy Sub-Committees of the BMW Regional Assembly
The role of the Assembly’s sub-committees is to review the implementation of investment programmes and public policy in the relevant areas and to put forward policy proposals for adoption by the Regional Assembly. The sub-committees are comprised of the heads of public bodies in the BMW Region together with members of the Assembly and act in an advisory role to the Regional Assembly. The sub-committees meet four times per year.
2000-2006 Sub-Committees
The BMW Regional Assembly operated four joint sub-committees during the 2000-2006 period which mirrored the national programmes under the National Development Plan 2000-2006:
1. Agriculture and Rural Development;
2. Employment, Human Resources, Social Inclusion and Childcare;
3. Infrastructure and National Spatial Strategy; and
4. Local Enterprise and Productive Sector.
2007-2013 Sub-Committees
For the 2007-2013 period two sub-committees were established:
1. National Development Plan Sub-Committee; and
2. Regional and Rural Affairs Sub-Committee.
North-South Sub-Committee
In order to strengthen the Regional Assembly’s role in relation to cross-border co-operation and to provide a forum where these issues can be discussed, a North-South Sub-Committee was established in 2002. This sub-committee is comprised of ten Assembly members which facilitates the attendance of external representatives on policy issues relevant to the sub-committee while also putting forward policy proposals for adoption by the Regional Assembly.
The most significant outcome of these activities was the historic first official meeting between a delegation from the BMW Regional Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive. The meeting with Minister Gerry Kelly, MLA, Junior Minister at the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, took place in Stormont Castle, Belfast on the September 3rd 2008. This meeting explored possible areas of common interest and identified areas of potential co-operation.
External Representation
The BMW Regional Assembly has a broad policy remit and has been involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of a broad range of external initiatives, projects and programmes. Details of the Regional Assembly’s contribution to public policy, regional development and project assessment since 2000.
