Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in private, at 10:35am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee agreed to hold the meeting in private session.

1.2. The Committee agreed that it would seek to schedule the debate on the Report of the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry for the week beginning Monday 10 June 2002. It was also agreed and to hold a press briefing, on an embargoed basis, on Thursday 6 June 2002.

1.3. The committee agreed that the Deputy Chairperson would represent the Committee at the dinner for the Board Members of the World Special Olympics Committee in the Members' Dining Room on Monday 20 May 2002.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 30 April 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings for the meeting of 30 April 2002 were agreed subject to apologies being included for Mr McCarthy and Mr McMenamin and a record included under 'Any other business' about the slow progress made on the list of oral questions, due to the length of responses being given to supplementaries.

3. Matters arising

3.1. There were no matters arising.

Mr Davis attended the meeting at 10:42.

4. Correspondence from Moyola Angling Association

4.1. The Committee agreed to meet with the Moyola Angling Association to discuss issues surrounding obstacles to the migration of salmon and other species, particularly in the Lower River Bann.

5. 13th International Salmon Habitat Enhancement Workshop

5.1. The Committee agreed that representatives, including, if possible, a Committee office staff member, would attend the 13th International Salmon Habitat Enhancement Workshop in Westport from 16 to 19 September 2002. This was agreed on the basis that there would be no effect on the planned seminar involving the French Ministry of Culture.

6. Committee legislation

6.1. The Committee agreed to seek an updated legislation forward plan, including timing for scheduling of legislation, from the Department.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 10:50am.

7. First formal reading of the report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry

7.1. The Committee concluded its first formal reading of the report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry and agreed a number of amendments.

8. Any other business

8.1. The Committee discussed the problem of rising insurance costs and the effects on businesses such as Corralea Activity Centre and the hiring of pleasure cruisers on Lough Erne. It was agreed to contact the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment with a view to taking a joint approach to raising the profile of this matter.

9. Date of next meeting

9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 9 May 2002, in Room 152.

E ONeill
Chairperson