Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 10:30am: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Ultach Trust - Mr Aodán Mac Póilin, Director.

In attendance for public evidence session at 11:10am: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Arts & Business NI - Mr Peter Holmes, Chairperson and Ms Hilary McGrady, Director.

In attendance for public evidence session at 11:50am: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Ballymena Borough Council - Mr William Young, Cultural Services Manager.

In attendance for public evidence session at 12:30pm: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Northern Ireland Hotels Federation - Mr Colin Shillington, Director General, Mr Alistair Good, Advisor, NIHF, Mr Sean Small, Burrendale Hotel and Ms Margaret Nagle, Jury's Hotel, Belfast.

The meeting opened, in public, at 10:30am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee recorded its condolences to the Government of the United States of America and its citizens and sympathy to the families and friends of those bereaved and injured as a result of the horrific events in New York, Washington and Pittsburgh on 11 September 2001.

1.2. Members were reminded that comments regarding the report on the study visit to Paris and Barcelona should be with the Clerk by 20 September 2001.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 6 September 2001

2.1. Minutes of the meeting of 6 September were agreed.

Mr Agnew joined the meeting at 10:34am.

3.1. Matters arising

3.1. Paragraph 7.1 - Members were asked to note that the Sports Council would attend the meeting on 20 September 2001 to discuss the IMS Motorsports Report.

4. Sports Council Lottery Fund - Consultation Documents

4.1. Members agreed the response to the Sports Council on the various consultation documents.

5. Public evidence session - Cultural tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Ultach Trust

Dr Adamson declared an interest as a Founding Member of the Ultach Trust.

5.1. The Ultach Trust gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

Mr Davis joined the meeting at 10:47am.
Mr McCarthy joined the meeting at 10:48am.
Mr McElduff left the meeting at 11:13am.
Dr Adamson left the meeting at 11:16am.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 11:24am.

6. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Arts & Business NI

6.1. Arts & Business NI gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

Mr Davis left the meeting at 12:04pm.
Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 12:17pm.

7. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Ballymena Borough Council

7.1. Ballymena Borough Council gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

The meeting was suspended at 12:27pm. Mr Agnew left the meeting at this point.
The meeting resumed at 12:35pm. Mr Agnew rejoined the meeting at this point.
Mr McElduff rejoined the meeting at 12:38pm.
Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 12:40am.

8. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

8.1. The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 1:15pm.
The meeting closed at 1:15pm.

9. Date of next meeting

9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 20 September 2001 in Room 152.

M Nelis
Deputy Chairperson