Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened, in public, at 10:18am

1. Fisheries (Amendment) Bill

1.1 The Committee discussed and resolved all concerns that had been raised pertaining to Clauses 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 9/99) taking the advice and opinion of the Assembly's Legal Advisers. Clauses 1,2 and 9 are being considered separately by the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 10:31am
Mr Agnew joined the meeting at 11:06am
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 11:12am

1.2 The Committee carried out a detailed clause by clause scrutiny of those clauses which come within the remit of the Committee ie. Clauses 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 9/99). The clauses were read along with the related commentary in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum.

Clause 3 subsection (4) was considered.
Agreed - Clause 3 subsection (4).
Clause 3 subsections (5),(6),(7),(8) and (9) were considered.
Agreed - subsections (5),(6),(7),(8) and (9).
Agreed - that Clause 3 should stand part of the Bill.
Clause 4 was considered. 
Agreed - that Clause 4 should stand part of the Bill.
Clause 5 paragraph (a) was considered.
Agreed - Clause 5 paragraph (a).
Clause 5 paragraph (b) was considered.
Agreed - Clause 5 paragraph (b).
Agreed - that Clause 5 should stand part of the Bill.
Clause 6 was considered. Agreed - that Clause 6 should stand part of the Bill.
Clause 7 was considered. Agreed - that Clause 7 should stand part of the Bill.
Clause 8 was considered. Agreed - that Clause 8 should stand part of the Bill.

The meeting adjourned at 11:58am
The meeting reconvened at 12:09pm

1.3 The Committee discussed and agreed a final form of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee response on Clauses 3,4,5,6,7 and 8 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill9/99), each paragraph was agreed in turn.

Agreed - that the full Committee Report including the response from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development on Clauses 1,2 and 9 would be printed on receipt of the Agriculture and Rural Development response.

2. Chairperson's business

2.1 Agreed - that the itinerary for the Galway visit would be sent to the appropriate members.

3. Minutes of the last meeting

3.1 The minutes of the meeting of the 9 November were agreed.

4. Matters arising

4.1 The Chairperson advised members that he had sought advice in respect of the Committee's approach to the inquiry into the Arts to ensure that the focus of the inquiry would not overlap with work being undertaken elsewhere. The Committee's approach to the inquiry would be formulated to take this into account

4.2 Members were made aware of recent publicity material, published by the North West Region Cross Border Group which made reference to 'DARD' (Department for Agriculture and Rural Development) 'Waters'. This is being clarified by Inland Waterways and Inland Fisheries.

5. Motor Cycle Road Racing

5.1 Agreed - that the letter on Motor Cycle road racing should issue to the Minister as drafted.

Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting at 12:28pm

6.Any other business

6.1 Agreed - that the Committee Office would provide a framework for the Committee to scrutinise the problems within the game of football eg lack of supporters, wages for players, funding and the structure of the football league.

6.2 Agreed - that there are two areas requiring clarification in respect of the PRONI case.

6.3 The Chairperson read out the Culture, Arts and Leisure Departmental response on the DARD/DCAL roles in respect of responsibility for waterways. Agreed - that this would be an item on the agenda for the next meeting.

6.4 Agreed - that the Committee would write to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board seeking information in respect of what is being done to promote angling as a tourist attraction and asking for copies of publicity material currently used to promote the angling scene in Northern Ireland.

7. Date of next meeting

7.1 The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 7 December at 10:15am in Room 135.

The meeting closed at 12:45pm.

Mr E ONeill

(Chairperson)