Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 12:00noon: Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure and Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary to the Department

The meeting opened, in private, at 11:50am

1. Chairperson's business

1. Agreed - that the Committee would clarify with the Minister today the position regarding availability of his Department's Officials to attend Committee meetings in his absence.
2. Agreed - that the Committee will meet the Minister on 7 November at 10:30am to discuss Budget Proposals and Programme for Government.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Mr Shannon.

The private session ended at 12:00noon
The meeting moved into public session at 12:00 noon

3. Public evidence session at 12:00noon on the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's Corporate Strategy for 2001 - 2004

The Minister clarified that the Committee can invite Departmental Officials to attend their meetings as required and that he was also content for the Committee to ask for him to attend in person.

The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure and Dr McGinley gave evidence, in public, on the Department's Corporate Strategy for the three years 2001 to 2004.

Dr McGinley gave a presentation on the content of the Department's Corporate Strategy Document.

The Minister and Dr McGinley answered a number of questions put by the Committee on the content and implications of the Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Mr Wilson left the meeting at 12:28pm
Mr ONeill left the meeting at 12:42pm
Mrs Nelis took the Chair at 12:42pm
Mr McMenamin joined the meeting at 12:49pm

4. Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 19 October at 10:00am in the Senate Chamber.

The meeting closed at 1:05pm

Mr E ONeill
(Chairperson)