Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 11.00am: Mr A D Frazer, Hillmount Properties (NI) Ltd

In attendance for public evidence session at 12.00pm: Mr R Buick and Mr V Refausse, Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation

The meeting opened in private at 10.20am.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Mr B McElduff, Mr McMenamin, and Mr Hilditch.

2. Chairperson's business

1. The Chairperson reported that he had received an invitation from the Institute of Culture at Rostrevor to attend the award winning ceoldrama in Dublin.
   Agreed - that the Chairperson should represent the Committee at this performance.
2. The Chairperson also reported that Mr Don Allen had extended an invitation to the Committee to visit the Odyssey complex.
   Agreed - to accept this invitation.
3. United Christian Broadcasting - the Chairperson reported that a motion on this issue had been tabled for Tuesday 13 June in the Assembly. He explained that 2 hours had been allotted for the debate and that members might wish to make a contribution.

Mr J Shannon joined the meeting at 10.25am.

3. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

4. Matters arising

Agreed - that the Committee should visit Inland Waterways Association on 30 June and that this visit should include a visit to two Hydro-Electric schemes.

5. Inland Fisheries Inquiry

1. Submissions - the Chairperson reported that two more submissions had been received.
2. Programme of evidence sessions - the Committee agreed the draft programme of evidence sessions to 22 June.
   Mr Agnew joined the meeting at 10.35am.
3. The Committee agreed that, due to pressure of work, private business would have to be conducted at lunch times over the forthcoming weeks.

6. Draft Equality Schemes

Department's Equality Scheme and Sports Council's Equality Scheme - the Chairperson reported that draft responses had been prepared. He tabled two suggestions for inclusion in the draft response - resource commitments as an indicator of commitment; and "joined up" relationships with other departments. It was agreed to defer discussion of the schemes for another week to give the members more time to consider the draft responses

7. Any other business

1. NI Voluntary Trust Outline Strategic Plan -
   Agreed - that a substantive response could not be made at this time.
2. Safety at motor bike races -
   Agreed - that comments should be sought from DOE, DRD and the governing body of motor bike racing on this matter and that it be placed as an item for discussion at a future meeting.
3. The Chairperson reported that two further draft Equality Schemes had been received for comment by the Committee - the Arts Council and the Museums Council. It was agreed that this matter should be deferred to next week's meeting.

8. Evidence session - Hillmount Properties (NI) Ltd

Mr Frazer from Hillmount Properties (NI) Ltd gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Inland Fisheries.

Mr Agnew left the meeting at 12.00pm.

9. Evidence Session - Ulster Coarse Fishing Federation

Mr Buick and Mr Refausse gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Inland Fisheries.

10. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday 15 June at 10.15am in the Senate Chamber. It was agreed that future public evidence sessions would be held in the Senate Chamber.

The meeting closed at 12.50pm.

Mr E ONeill
(Chairperson)