Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 10:30am: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry -Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure - Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary and Mr Jack Palmer, Arts and Sport Division.

In attendance at 11:05am for a discussion about financial matters for the years 2001/2002 and 2002/2003: Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure - Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, Dr Eddie Rooney, Policy and Development and Mr Noel Redmond, Finance Department.

The meeting opened, in public, at 10:22am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Chairperson asked the Clerk to clarify for the Committee, details in the Department's bid for Executive Programme Funds.

1.2. Members were advised about the new arrangements for audio coverage of public Committee meetings.

1.3. Members were reminded to return their Members' Interests forms to the Committee Office by 12 October 2001.

1.4. Members were advised of an invitation to a reception to mark the 1st Anniversary of the Northern Ireland Publications Resource to be held in Belfast Central Library on Wednesday 17 October 2001. Members were asked to advise the Committee Office if they wished to attend.

1.5. Members noted the Minister's reply to the Committee's enquiry of 20 September 2001 about the newspaper report of low water levels in the River Maine.

1.6. Members noted the Minister's response to the Committee's letter of 20 September 2001 about the International Motor Sports Report.

1.7. Members were reminded of the invitation from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation to the launch of the Federation's strategy for the industry 'Blueprint for Tourism' at the Ramada Hotel on Tuesday 16 October 2001.

2. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry -Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

2.1. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

3. Discussion with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure about financial matters for the years 2001/2002 and 2002/2003.

3.1. The Permanent Secretary and Departmental Officials answered members' questions about financial matters for the years 2001/2002 and 2002/2003.

Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 12:31pm.

4. Minutes of the meetings of 27 September and 4 October 2001

4.1. Minutes of the meetings of 27 September and 4 October 2001 were agreed subject to an apology being recorded for Mr E McMenamin on 4 October .

5. Matters arising from 27 September 2001

5.1. Paragraph 8.1 - The Northern Ireland Tourist Board have confirmed that they will be attending the Committee meeting on Thursday 25 October 2001 when Mr Roy Bailie, Chairman, Mr Alan Clarke, Chief Executive and Mr Feargal Kearney, Cultural Tourism Officer will give oral evidence to the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

5.2. Paragraph 8.2 - The Department confirmed that the steering group to manage the review of the Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB) would be made up as follows: - Mr Nigel Carson, Chairman, plus one representatives from the FCB, the Environmental Health Service, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and four representatives from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

6. Review of Community Relations policy

6.1. The Committee were advised that the Committee of the Centre had forwarded a Working Paper on the 'review of Community Relations Policy' issued by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister for comments by relevant committees. Members were asked to send their comments to the Committee Office by 3:00pm on Monday 15 October 2001.

7. Chairpersons' Liaison Group

7.1. Members were asked to provide their comments on the future role and direction of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group to the Clerk.

8. Conference workshop 'Tomorrow's Libraries

8.1. The Committee agreed that Mr ONeill and one other member would represent the Committee at the Conference Workshop in the Burrendale Hotel from 5th to 7th November 2001.

9. Any other business

9.1. Members agreed that a letter would issue from the Committee inquiring as to why the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission does not offer reduced-rate fishing licences for senior citizens and disabled anglers.

9.2. Members agreed that a letter would issue to Moyle District Council about the proposed sale and development of a site at the entrance to the Giants Causeway and seeking information about the nature of the proposed development and the environmental impact on the Causeway area generally.

9.3. Members agreed that a letter would issue to the Department asking about its policy on the erection of tele-communication masts on departmental property.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 12:57pm

10. Date of next meeting

10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 11:15am on Thursday 18 October 2001 in the Council Chamber, Magee College, Londonderry.

The meeting closed at 1:00pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson