Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a presentation at 10:50am on the Electronic Libraries for Northern Ireland Project: Ms Pearl Valentine, Chief Librarian, North Eastern Board, Mr Andy Morrow, Chief Librarian, Southern Board and Mr Desi Curry, Service and Contract Manager.

In attendance for a briefing session at 11:25am on Angling Development and Water Recreation Development Programmes: Mr David Houston and Mr Alec Foye, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in closed session, at 10:23am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Chairperson updated members on the current position of arrangements for the proposed visit by the Central Fisheries and Western Regional Fisheries Boards. The visit is provisionally scheduled to take place in March 2002, with arrangements being finalised when responses are received from all groups.

1.2. The Committee agreed to meet on Monday 28 January 2002, in Room 135 from 12:00 to 2:00pm, to consider its response to the report from the Advisory Panel to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure on 'Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland'.

1.3. Members noted that official outlets for tickets for the Boxing Day football match between Glentoran and Linfield were: - for Glentoran - The Oval; Flynet, Holywood Road; Stewart's Sports Shop, Castlereagh Road; and Union Jack Shop, Newtownards Road - and -for Linfield - Windsor Park.

1.4. Members agreed to draw the Minister's attention to the lapse in the agreed arrangements to provide the Committee with details of bids submitted to the Department of Finance and Personnel at quarterly monitoring rounds.

1.5. Members agreed to convey the Committee's congratulations to Mr Bob Zeller and the Belfast Giants on the team's remarkable achievement in winning the Superleague on Saturday 19 January 2002.

Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 10:40am.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 17 January 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings for 17 January 2002 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. Members conveyed thanks to Committee Office staff for their work in arranging the visit to local football grounds on Wednesday 23 January 2002.

4. Response to the Committee of the Centre's European Inquiry

4.1. The Committee agreed a response to the Committee of the Centre's European Inquiry. The Committee noted that, as a primary source of dispersal under Peace 2, the Department was ineligible to apply for funding under the Programme.

5. Any other business

5.1. Members noted that invitations would issue to the Committee to the opening of new premises for Lisburn Amateur Boxing Club.

5.2. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would represent the Committee at celebrations for Phil Coulter's 60^th birthday in Derry's Millennium Forum.

5.3. Members noted that no Committee representative was invited to the Burns Night Supper hosted by the Secretary of State on Thursday 24 January 2002 at Hillsborough Castle and agreed that the Clerk would clarify the position.

5.4. Members also noted that no Committee representative was invited to the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards at the Ramada Hotel on Monday 21 January 2002 and agreedthat the Clerk would advise the organisers of the Committee's role in sport in Northern Ireland.

Dr Adamson left the meeting at 10:55am.

6. Presentation on Electronic Libraries Project for Northern Ireland

6.1. Ms Pearl Valentine made a presentation to the Committee on the Electronic Libraries Project for Northern Ireland. The officials addressed questions raised by Members on how the project would enhance the provision of library services in Northern Ireland. It was agreed to make available to the Committee the total cost of the consultation undertaken.

Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 11:37am.

7. Briefing on Angling Development and Water Recreation Development Programmes

7.1. Officials of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure briefed the Committee on the procedures relating to the Angling Development and Water Recreation Development Programmes and answered questions put by Members. It was agreed that the Department would consider the possibility of some of the funding being used to determine the ownership of fishing rights in Northern Ireland.

8. Date of next meeting

8.1. A special meeting of the Committee will take place at 12noon on Monday 28 January 2002, to consider the response to the Advisory Panel's report on 'Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland'.

8.2. The Committee will meet again at 10:30am on Thursday 31 January 2002 at the House of Sport, Upper Malone Road, Belfast.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:42pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson