Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a discussion at 10:50am on the Department's Position Report for Budget 2002: Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure - Mr Michael McGimpsey, Minister, Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary, Dr Eddie Rooney, Acting Deputy Secretary and Mr Noel Redmond, Head of Finance.

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in private, at 10:30am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee agreed that the meeting would be in private session until 10:45am.

1.2. The Chairperson reminded members that all mobile phones should be completely turned off during the public session.

1.3. The Committee agreed to accept the New Opportunities Fund's offer of a briefing on the work of the Fund.

Mr Kelly left the meeting at 10:41am.

Mr Hilditch attended the meeting at 10:41am.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 18 April 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes Of Proceedings for the meeting on 18 April 2002 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. There were no matters arising.

4. Executive Programme Funds bid - Improvement and development plans for Public Angling Estate

4.1. The Committee considered the Department's plans to submit a bid to the Executive Programme Fund's Infrastructure Programme to obtain funding for improving and developing the Public Angling Estate and agreed to support the bid.

5. Date of next meeting

5.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:30am on Tuesday 30 April 2002 in Room 152.

The meeting moved into public session at 10:55am.

6. Discussion on the Department's draft Position Report on Budget 2002

6.1. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure discussed the content of the Department's draft Position Report on Budget 2002 in detail and answered members' questions.

Mr Davis left the meeting at 11:25am.

The meeting adjourned at 11:25am and resumed at 11:38am

Mr Davis rejoined the meeting at 12:05am.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 12:15am.

6.2. The Department undertook to keep the Committee informed about the outcome of the Needs and Effectiveness Survey and any other changes it proposed to make to the draft Position Report.

Dr Adamson left the meeting at 12:18pm.

Mr Davis left the meeting at 12:35pm.

6.3. The Committee agreed to provide a formal response to the Department.

7. Any other business

7.1. The committee noted reports that flags had been displayed amongst the audience at the Westlife concert on Saturday 20 April 2002 and agreed to write to Sheridan Millennium Ltd.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:41pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson