Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in private, at 10:25am.

1. Chairperson's business

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

1.2. The Committee noted the response from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to recommendations in the Inland Fisheries Report and agreed to discuss the issues at a future meeting before the Summer recess when all responses were received.

1.3. The Committee noted the letter from Mr David Agnew from Bann System Limited about the proposed assessment of the adequacy of the fish pass at Carnroe Weir and the use of freshets on the Lower River Bann and agreed to invite Bann System to a future meeting.

1.4. The Committee noted the Minister's letter of 25 April 2002 about the Golden Jubilee celebrations bursary for schools.

Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 10:30am.

1.5. The Committee noted the communication dated 7 May 2002 from Dr Arndt Wigger from SKSK University of Bonn, Germany seeking support for his request to the Minister for funding to teach Celtic languages. The Committee agreed that Dr Wigger would be advised that funding was a matter for the Minister and that the Committee would ask to be advised of the Minister's response.

1.6. The Committee noted the resignation of Shona McCarthy as Chief Executive of Imagine Belfast and agreed to acknowledge in writing her excellent achievement in taking the first stage of the bidding process for Capital of Culture 2008 through to completion.

1.7. Members were encouraged to attend the Committee for Finance and Personnel's seminar on the Supply Estimates Process in the Long Gallery at 10:00am on Wednesday 22 May 2002.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 2 May 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings for the meeting of 2 May 2002 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. Para.8.1 - Public Liability Insurance: - The Committee noted the response from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the issue of the rising costs of public liability insurance.

3.2. The Committee agreed that, due to the non-availability of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, Dr Adamson 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.

4. ADSEA Project

4.1. The Committee noted responses from the Assembly's Legal and Research Services regarding the ADSEA project for the Strangford Lough area and also noted that the Department has agreed to brief the Committee on ADSEA's request for a change to the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966. The Committee agreed to invite the Assembly's Legal Adviser to provide a briefing on the legislative aspects.

5. Response from Odyssey Arena Management

5.1. The Committee noted responses from management of the Odyssey Arena regarding the display of flags at the recent Westlife concert. The Committee agreed to accept the invitation to visit the Arena to see recent developments.

6. Correspondence from Moyle District Council

6.1. The Committee noted correspondence from Moyle District council expressing concern about the threat to wild salmon from fish farming on the North Coast and agreed a response.

7. Correspondence from Committee of the Centre 'Bids for EFP Infrastructure Fund'

7.1. The Committee noted the request from the Committee of the Centre seeking views from Statutory Committees about the lack of adequate consultation by Departments on the current round of applications for funding from the EFP Infrastructure Fund and agreed a response.

Mr Davis attended the meeting at 11:12am.

Mr Agnew attended the meeting at 11:35am.

Mr Hilditch attended the meeting at 11:47am.

8. Second formal reading of the report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry

8.1. The Committee began its second formal reading of the report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry and read the report paragraph by paragraph:

Introduction -

Paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4 read and agreed

Definition of key terms -

Paragraphs 2.1.1 to 2.1.5 read and agreed

The Northern Ireland context -

Paragraphs 3.1 to 3.5 read and agreed

Products, attractions base and infrastructure -

Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.6.6 read and agreed

Paragraph 4.6.7 read and agreed as amended

Paragraphs 4.7 to 4.10.2 read and agreed

Paragraph 4.10.3 read and agreed that the Clerk would redraft the paragraph to include a reference to the Centre for Migration Studies

Paragraphs 4.10.4 to 4.13.2 read and agreed as amended

Paragraph 4.13.3 - Agreed - that examples of areas in Northern Ireland which have important cultural resources but remain poorly provided for in terms of room numbers should be included. The Committee divided on this issue. The question was proposed by the Chairperson - 'Do the members agree that examples of areas in Northern Ireland which have important cultural resources, but remain poorly provided for in terms of room numbers, should be included?' The following members voted 'Yes' - Mrs Nelis, Dr Adamson, Mr Agnew, Mr Davis, Mr Hilditch, Mr McCarthy and Mr Shannon. The paragraph was agreed as amended.

Paragraphs 4.13.4 to 4.14 read and agreed

9. Any other business

9.1. Foyle Cup - The Committee recorded its concern and disappointment at the level of funding being made available by the Northern Ireland Events Company to the Foyle Cup in comparison with funding for the Milk Cup. It was agreed to raise the issue with the Company at the next planned meeting.

9.2. The Committee agreed that Mr McMenamin and Mrs Nelis would provide details about total costs of running the Foyle Cup, current amounts and origins of funding and sponsorship guaranteed from public and private sources and information about any other sources that could have been approached for financial assistance.

9.3. The Committee agreed that the Committee office would provide detailed information about the total costs of running the Milk Cup including the origins and amounts of public/private funding and sponsorship.

9.4. The Committee agreed to include a visit to the George Stewart Racing Stables at Lisburn into its work programme.

10. Date of next meeting

10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 16 May 2002 in Room 152.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:39pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson