Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 10:30am: Programme for Government and Budget Proposals - Mr M McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Dr A McGinley, Departmental Permanent Secretary and Mr N Redmond

The meeting opened, in public, at 10:00am

1. Chairperson's business

1.1 The Chairperson reminded members of the rules of the Senate Chamber and the use of mobile phones.

1.2 Agreed - that with regard to the report on the inquiry into Inland Fisheries written submissions would be included only on the basis of meritorial evidence.

1.3 Agreed - that Mr N McCreight would be advised that the Committee had noted his letter and that no decision had been made regarding the inclusion of various written submission in the Committee's report on the Inland Fisheries inquiry.

Mr Hilditch joined the meeting at 10:08am
Dr Adamson joined the meeting at 10:09am

1.4 The Chairperson reminded members of the all-day visit to Rocks Lodge Fish Farm, Newtownstewart on 16 November.

1.5 The Chairperson reminded members of the forthcoming rescheduled visit to Galway on 29 and 30 November and 1 December and the need to firm up on numbers of members going.

1.6 Members considered a response to the Sports Council Lottery Funding Document and agreed a final form of reply.

1.7 Agreed - that the Committee Office would write to PRONI in respect of the invitation to members to attend the opening of it's Outreach centre at Ballymena.

1.8 The Chairperson advised members that he had written again to the Department regarding the PRONI case and agreed to update members on receipt of a response.

1.9 Agreed - that the Chairperson would write to the Minister on the subject of the Belfast Saint Patrick's Day Festival to ascertain what support the Department could provide towards making this a cross-community harmonious event and where funding could be obtained.

2. Minutes of the last meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting of 20 October were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Public evidence session - Mr M McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Dr A McGinley, Departmental Permanent Secretary and Mr N Redmond

4.1 The Minister, Mr M McGimpsey and Departmental Representatives gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Department's Programme for Government and Budget Proposals.

The public session ended at 11:35am. The Committee went into private session.

5. Fisheries (Amendment) Bill

5.1 Agreed - that the Committee would meet on 22 November to consider the Bill. Members are to report any amendments to the Committee Clerk by 17 November.

6. Any other business

6.1 The Chairperson asked members to consider the format of a response to the Minister on the Programme for government and Budget Proposals for the next meeting on 9 November.

Agreed - that the Committee Office would draft letters to the Minister on Programme for Government and Budget Proposals for the meeting on 9 November.

7. Date of next meeting

7.1 The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 9 November at 10:00am in Room 152.

The meeting closed at 12:07

Mr E ONeill
(Chairperson)