Minutes - RHRG APG Meeting
Date: Monday 5 December 2022

Time: 12:00pm

Location: Committee Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Chairperson: Robbie Butler MLA

Minutes taken by: Connor Hogan, Chambré

Members Present

·        Robbie Butler MLA

·        Philip McGuigan MLA

·        Danny Donnelly MLA

·        Stephen Dunne MLA

·        Maolíosa McHugh MLA

·        Harry Harvey MLA

·        Paul Frew MLA

·        Cathy Mason MLA

Apologies

·        Áine Murphy MLA

·        Eóin Tennyson MLA

·        John Stewart MLA

·        Justin McNulty MLA

·        Nick Mathison MLA

External Guests

·        Chris McAffee – Clerical Officer NI Assembly

·        Emer Boyle – Assembly Communities Committee Clerk

·        Michael Smyth – Department for Communities

·        Debbie Sharpe - CCEA

·        Barry Grant – Extern Problem Gambling

·        Diane Owens – Department of Health

·        Erin McEvoy – Ulster University

·        Joanna Purdy – Institute of Public Health

·        Helen McAvoy – Institute of Public Health

·        Thomas McKeever – Royal College of Psychiatrists

·        Gerry Lynch – Royal College of Psychiatrists

·        Johnny Stewart – Open Strategic Communications

·        Rachel – researcher for Connie Egan MLA

·        Stephen Aupy – Gamban

·        Tim Cairns – CARE

·        Will Chambré – Chambré

·        James Mayne - Chambré

·        Connor Hogan – Chambré

Minutes

1.      Welcome

Robbie Butler MLA welcomed members to the meeting.

2.      Minutes of last meeting

Members agreed that the minutes of the last meeting () were a true and accurate representation of that meeting. Proposed by Danny Donnelly MLA, seconded by Philip McGuigan MLA.

3.      Introductory Remarks

The Chairperson opened by welcoming the guests in the context of the APG’s forthcoming inquiry into public health approaches to gambling-related harms.

4.      Matters arising

None

5.      Presentation from the Institute of Public Health

Dr Helen McAvoy, Director of Policy at the Institute of Public Health gave a short presentation on the need for a public-health approach to gambling-related harms, in the context of the APG’s upcoming inquiry. She argued that regulation is critical, due to the power differential between the gambling industry and its customers. She referred to previous IPH submissions to the APG and other bodies across the island.

6.      Presentation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists

Professor Gerry Lynch, former Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, gave a short presentation on the health impacts of gambling. Professor Lynch commended the APG for undertaking an inquiry on the issue, and spoke about a variety of long term consequences and costs of gambling harms. He added that would support a co-ordinated public health approach, akin to that taken for alcohol and tobacco.

7.      Questions

Dr McAvoy and Professor Lynch took questions from members and observers.

8.      APG Public Health Inquiry – draft Terms of Reference

Members reviewed the draft Terms of Reference for the APG’s upcoming inquiry into public health approaches to gambling-related harms in NI. Members suggested that the preamble, scope and questions be amended to include the impact on children and young people of gambling-related harms, and the challenge of and need to build an evidence base for NI.

Agreed: Secretariat will update the Terms of Reference for final approval by members via email, ahead of the inquiry launch on 13 December.

Proposed by Harry Harvey MLA, seconded by Philip McGuigan MLA.

9.      AOB

None

10.  Next meeting

It was proposed the APG meet again in early February for the first oral evidence session.