Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a meeting at 10:40am to up-date members on the position of Belfast's bid to become City of Culture 2008: Imagine Belfast - Ms Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Mr Tom Collins, Chairman and Ms Michelle Rusk, Vice Chairperson.

In attendance for a meeting at 11:45am to discuss the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Byelaws (NI) 2002: Dr David Roberts, Chairman and Mr Brian Finn, Deputy Chief Executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board and Mr David Houston, Deputy Principal, Inland Waterways and Fisheries Division, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in public, at 10:35am.

Mr Kelly attended the meeting at 10:48am.
Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 10:50am.

1. Presentation by Imagine Belfast

1.1. The Chairperson welcomed the delegation from Imagine Belfast.

1.2. Representatives of Imagine Belfast brought members up to date on the position of Belfast's bid to become City of Culture 2008. The delegation emphasised, as they did when they first met with the Committee in May 2001, that this was a bid about people and not about buildings, based around three core themes - the future of children and young people and their education and opportunities; the years of conflict and the healing process; and what has been 'Made in Belfast' focusing on the creativity and inventiveness of the city.

1.3. It was agreed that the delegation would meet with the Committee to discuss the bid in detail when it was ready for publication.

Mr Davis left the meeting at 11:34am.

2. Statutory Rule No 11/2002 - Fisheries (Amendment) Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2002

2.1. The Chairperson welcomed the delegation.

2.2. Representatives of the Fisheries Conservancy Board and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure summarised the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2002 and answered members' questions. In particular, the discussion covered the difficulties of enforcing the catch and release provisions on Lough Melvin, given the different legislative position in each jurisdiction. The Chairman of the Fisheries Conservancy Board gave a commitment to take forward the development of a common angling policy for the whole of Lough Melvin as a matter of urgency and to discuss the issue at the next Board meeting on 11 March 2002.

2.3. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister asking him to ensure that necessary steps are taken to put in place a common angling policy, for Lough Melvin, which would be in operation for the 2003 angling season.

2.4. The Committee formally considered the rule.

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure has considered Statutory Rule No 11/2002 - Fisheries (Amendment) Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objections to the Rule, subject to the report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

3. Chairperson's business

3.1. Members noted that the Central Fisheries and Western Fisheries Boards had confirmed that nine representatives would visit from Wednesday 24 to 26 April 2002. It wasagreed that the Committee Office would prepare a draft itinerary.

3.2. Members noted the Department's response to the Committee's concerns on tobacco industry sponsorship of motorcycle racing. The Department acknowledged the reliance of many sports on tobacco advertising for survival and indicated that responsibility for any decision to ban, or restrict advertising and sponsorship would be a matter for the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Chairperson recalled that Mr McGimpsey, in a recent statement, had hoped that tobacco sponsorship could be phased out.

3.3. Members noted that the Minister had welcomed the visit by Dr Bob O'Neill of Boston College and a delegation of members of the Manuscript Society to Northern Ireland on 27 May 2002 and that he intended to ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to jointly host a reception in Parliament Buildings and to discuss invitations to other dignitaries.

3.4. Members noted information regarding press coverage of the Department's part-funding of training for loyalist band parade stewards.

3.5. Members noted the Minister's correspondence about the full reconstitution of the Board of MAGNI (15 vacancies) and the filling of 3 vacancies on the NI Museums Council and the invitation to nominate suitable individuals by 1 March 2002.

4. Minutes of the meeting of 14 February 2002

4.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings of 14 February 2002 were agreed.

5. Matters arising

5.1. Paragraph 1.3 - Visit by Joint Committee for Tourism, Sport and Recreation on Thursday 7 March 2002. No suggestions for the agenda had been received from members. The Committee Office's suggestions included -

• the World Special Olympics;

• the development of youth soccer;

• the role of local authorities in sport and recreation;

• the role of sport and recreation in the fight against drugs and crime amongst young people; and

• sport and education.

It was agreed that, if time only permitted one issue to be discussed, 'the role of sport and recreation in the fight against drugs and crime amongst young people' would be a useful topic for discussion at the meeting with the Joint Committee.

6. Correspondence from POBAL on the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

6.1. The Committee noted the request from POBAL to discuss the implications of the European Charter on Minority Languages. An update on progress by the Department was copied to members.

6.2. It was agreed to agree to POBAL's request and also to invite the Ulster Scots Language Society to meet with the Committee.

7. Proposed "MILK" Photographic Exibition

7.1. Members agreed to support the exhibition 'Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship' which is scheduled for the Waterfront Hall in 2002, by an appropriate PR opportunity.

8. EU Framework Document

8.1. Members noted that OFMDFM had forwarded a copy of the framework document highlighting the work that each department needs to undertake in conducting their European business and which would relate directly to the work of the Brussels Office. Members also noted that this document was part of the Committee of the Centre's European Inquiry to which it had already responded. Members welcomed the outworking of the more structured approach to European issues suggested in the paper. It wasagreed that members would forward any further to the Clerk by Monday 25 February 2002.

9. Terms of reference for the Review of Public Administration

9.1. Members were asked to consider whether they wished comment on the proposed Terms of Reference for the Review of Public Administration, which will begin in the spring. Members agreed that Committees might have found it helpful if the Terms of Reference had specified whether all public services are to be included in the review and to have had them listed.

10. Any other business

10.1. There was no other business.

11. Date of next meeting

11.1. The Committee agreed to hold a special meeting from 11:30am to 12:30pm on Tuesday 26 February 2002 in Room 135 to continue its consideration of the draft report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

11.2. The Chairperson emphasised the need for members to ensure that when special meetings were set up they were quorate.

11.3. The Committee will meet again at 10:15am on Thursday 28 February 2002 in Room 152.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:35pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson