Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance at 10:30am to brief the Committee on the detail of the proposed Fisheries (Amendment No 2) Byelaws (NI) 2002: Mr Brian Finn, Deputy Chief Executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board.

In attendance at 11:10am to meet with the Committee to outline their views on the use of freshets on the Lower River Bann, and the adequacy of the fish pass at Carnroe Weir: Bann System Limited - Mr Edward Montgomery, Managing Director, and Mr David Agnew, Game Angling Director.

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in public, at 10:27am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Chairperson reminded members that mobile phones should be completely turned off.

1.2. The Committee noted the response from Belfast City Council, on the issue of the closure of the Golf Course at Mallusk, advising that the Parks and Amenities Sub-Committee would consider the proposal further when it had received a report from the Council's Director of Legal Services.

1.3. The Committee noted the response from the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development about recommendation 43 in the report on the Inquiry into Inland Fisheries, which will be discussed in detail at a meeting on 20 June 2002.

1.4. Members were reminded of the invitation from the British Association of Shooting and Conservation to an event, to take place at 12:30pm on Thursday 6 June 2002 in the Long Gallery.

1.5. The Committee noted the copy of the first progress report on the European Capital of Culture Bid forwarded by the Minister, and also noted that Imagine Belfast would soon appoint a new Chief Executive.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 30 May 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting on 30 May 2002 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. Para. 1.7: Response from editors - The Committee was informed that no response had yet been received from the editors of the Newsletter and the Sunday World about articles which conveyed the impression that the Committee's report on Cultural Tourism and the Arts was at fault with regard to the omission of "Derry's Walls" from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's survey of tourist attractions.

4. Proposed Fisheries (Amendment No 2) Byelaws (NI) 2002

4.1. Mr Finn briefed the Committee on the detail of the proposed Byelaws which will come into effect on 1 August 2002 and also advised on the consultation process that was undertaken by the Fisheries Conservancy Board.

4.2. The Committee considered the proposal to make Byelaws and agreed to advise the Department that it was content in principle that the Byelaws should be made.

5. Department's response re ownership of the fish pass at Carnroe Weir

5.1. The Committee noted the Department's response which advised that, as the fish pass is an integral part of the weir structure, constructed to improve the Lower Bann navigation, ownership and maintenance of the fish pass was transferred to Waterways Ireland on devolution.

6. Cultural Tourism and the Arts Report - Press release and briefing for the Debate

6.1. The Committee agreed a press release for issue on Monday 10 June 2002.

6.2. Members discussed the briefing material on themes emerging from the report.

6.3. Members were reminded about the media pre-brief taking place in the Members' Dining Room at 1:00pm on Thursday 6 June 2002.

Mr Agnew attended the meeting at 11:19am.

7. Meeting with Bann System Limited

7.1. The Chairperson advised Mr Agnew and Mr Montgomery of the current position regarding the proposed Fisheries Conservancy Board study on the fish pass at Carnroe Weir and the suitably of freshets on the Lower Bann also ownership of the fish pass. Mr Agnew and Mr Montgomery noted that the terms of reference for the study would be endorsed by the relevant fishery owners and other interested parties.

7.2. Mr Agnew and Mr Montgomery outlined Bann System Limited's views on the use of freshets on the Lower River Bann and the adequacy of the fish pass at Carnroe Weir. In relation to the ownership of the Carnroe Weir and fish pass Mr Montgomery advised the Committee, that the riverbed, on which the Weir was constructed, was owned by The Honorable the Irish Society, and that therefore the Society must be consulted about any proposed changes to the Weir or the fish pass.

Dr Adamson attended the meeting at 11:30am.

8. Any other business

8.1. The Committee noted a letter from Garrison and Lough Melvin Anglers' Association seeking the exclusion of Lough Melvin, as a cross border lake, from the Fisheries Amendment Byelaws (NI) 2002.

8.2. The Committee agreed, in the first instance, to ask the Minister what progress has been made in the proposed discussions between the Department and the authorities in the Republic about the possibility of the introduction of common measures for Lough Melvin.

9. Date of the next meeting

9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 13 June 2002 in Room 152.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 11:38am.

E ONeill
Chairperson