Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a private question and answer session on the Department's Public Service Agreement at 11:00 : Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Dr Aideen McGinley, Departmental Permanent Secretary, Mr Noel Redmond, Head of Finance, Mr Colin Watson, Assembly Liaison.

The meeting opened, in public at, 10.25am

1. Chairperson's business

1.1 The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Loretta Gordon the new Committee Clerk and paid tribute to the work done by Cathie White during her period as Committee Clerk.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 10:33am.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 10.35am.

1.2 The Deputy Chairperson advised members who wish to purchase tickets for the North Atlantic Salmon Fund Dinner on 2 March 2001 to contact Paul Johnston as soon as possible as tickets are becoming scarce.

1.3 The Deputy Chairperson reminded members of the 'Unlocking Creativity' briefing by Professor Ken Robinson on Thursday 8 February 2001. Members were asked to notify the Committee Clerk of their intention to attend by Tuesday 6 February.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 25 January 2001

2.2 The minutes of the meeting of 25 January were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4. Committee Visits

4.1 Agreed - that Amsterdam would be included in the visit to Paris, Rome, Barcelona. Week commencing 18 June 2001 was considered to be a suitable time for the visit. Dr Adamson, Mr McCarthy, Mr McMenamin, and Mrs Nelis all indicated that they would participate. Mr Shannon indicated that he would check and confirm availability.

4.2 Agreed - that Mr Hilditch, Mr McCarthy and Mr McMenamin would visit Boston. Dr Adamson and Mr Shannon indicated that they would check and confirm availability. Mr Wilson indicated that he would not be going due to other business.

Mr Wilson left the meeting at 10:45am.
The public session ended at 11:00am.
The meeting went into private session.

5. Public Service Agreement at 11.00am.

5.1 The Minister and Departmental Officials answered a range of questions on the Department's Public Service Agreement.

Agreed - that Members would provide comments on the Public Service Agreement to the Committee Office and the Committee Office would prepare a draft response to the Department for agreement at the meeting on Wednesday 7 February 2001.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 11:40am.

6. Fisheries Report

6.1 The Committee discussed the content of the report into Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland.

7. Date of next meeting

7.2 The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Wednesday 7 February 2001 at 10:15am in Room 152.

The meeting closed at 12:05pm

M. Nelis
Deputy Chairperson