Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for public evidence session at 11:30am: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - 
The Nerve Centre - Mr John Peto, Cultural Development Officer.

In attendance for public evidence session at 12:10pm: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - 
The Genealogy Centre - Mr Brian Mitchell, Genealogy Centre Manager.

In attendance for public evidence session at 1:50pm: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - 
The University of Ulster - Dr William Kelly, Research Officer for the Institute of Ulster Scots Studies, Prof. Mairead NicCraith, Academy for Irish Culture and Heritages, Dr Yvonne Whelan, Academy for Irish Culture and Heritages and Mr Philip Wing, Course Director Tourism Masters.

In attendance for public evidence session at 2:30pm: Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - 
The North West Archaeological and Historical Society - Mr Roy McCullough, Secretary and Mr Charles Logue, Vice President.

The meeting opened, in public, at 11:10am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee noted that the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee had referred a proposal for a Statutory Rule from the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC) for consideration. The Committee agreed to take on consideration of the Regulations and agreed that the FCILC would be called to brief the Committee on the detail of the proposed Regulations.

1.2. The Committee noted the need for a revision of their original resolution delegating technical scrutiny of Regulations to the Examiner of Statutory Rules. It was proposed by Mrs Nelis, seconded by Mr McMenamin, and agreed that: - "The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure resolves, under Standing Order 41, to delegate to the Examiner of Statutory Rules the technical scrutiny of Statutory Rules referred to the Committee under the above mentioned Standing Order.

The Committee further resolves that in carrying out this function the Examiner shall be authorised to report his technical findings on each Statutory Rule to the Assembly, through the Business Office, and to the relevant Department, as well as to the Committee itself and to publish his report".

1.3. The Committee agreed that the Derry Journal would attend the session to photograph the Committee.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 11 October 2001

2.1. Minutes of meeting of 11 October 2001 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. The Committee welcomed the Minister's recent announcement on the pegging of the cost of angling permits and licences at current levels for the 2002 season and the introduction of concessionary rod licences for disabled anglers from the beginning of January 2002.

4. Response to Finance and Personnel Committee on draft budget 2002/03

4.1. The Committee agreed a response to the Finance and Personnel Committee on the draft budget proposals for 2002/03, taking account of the issues discussed at the meeting on 11 October 2001 with Dr McGinley and Departmental Officials.

5. Any other business

5.1. The Committee discussed the possibility of visiting Berlin as part of the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry and agreed that no further visits would be made as part of the Inquiry.

5.2. The Committee noted the forthcoming Festival of Racing at Down Royal and agreed to consider further whether, and in what way, it might be involved in supporting the event.

5.3. The Committee agreed to look, on a future date, at children's involvement in art through play and also the participation and impact of amateur dramatics.

6. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - The Nerve Centre

6.1. The Nerve Centre gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

7. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - The Genealogy Centre

7.1. The Genealogy Centre gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

The meeting suspended at 12:40pm.
Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 12:45pm.
The meeting reconvened at 1:50pm.

8. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - The University of Ulster

8.1. The University of Ulster gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

9. Public evidence session - Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry - The North West Archaeological and Historical Society

9.1. The North West Archaeological and Historical Society gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

Mr McElduff left the meeting at 2:45pm.

10. Date of next meeting

10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 25 October 2001 in Room 152.

The meeting closed at 2:55pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson