Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance at 10:40am to update the Committee on the Company's ongoing work: The Northern Ireland Events Company - Mr John Walker, Chief Executive, and Ms Janice McAleese, Company Secretary.

The Chairperson opened the meeting in public at 10:34am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Chairperson reminded members that mobile phones should be completely turned off.

1.2. The Committee noted the copy of the letter of 21 June 2002 from the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel to Dr Sean Farren, the Minister of Finance and Personnel, asking for an assurance that effective action is taken to prevent any recurrence of the failure of departments to consult committees on the Executive Programme Fund bids (EFP).

1.3. The Committee agreed that, given the wide scope of the report, the Department would have until Friday 13 September 2002 to respond to the Committee's report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry.

1.4. Members noted their diaries for the visit to Londonderry on Thursday 10 October 2002.

1.5. Members noted the Minister's notification about the appointment of the new Chief Executive of Imagine Belfast 2008.

1.6. Members noted the Department's letter of 20 June 2002 about the funding position of the proposed Fisheries Conservancy Board study on the fish pass at Carnroe Weir and freshets on the Lower River Bann.

1.7. The Committee agreed to the RNIB's request to make a presentation after summer recess on the issues facing people with sight problems and their 'right to read'.

1.8. Members noted the Chairperson's letter of 25 June 2002 to the Arts Council about the handling of the event on 26 June 2002 recognising Michael Longley's outstanding contribution to artistic life.

1.9. The Committee noted the Minister's letter of 25 June 2002, in response to the Committee's concerns about the voluntary nature of the draft Guidelines for Water Abstractors. The letter assured the Committee that the provisions of the Fisheries Act would still have to be complied with by abstractors, but that the purpose of the guidelines would be to provide advice and examples of the types of measures which are likely to be acceptable to the Department in negotiating an exemption permit. The letter also conceded that the wording of guidelines was not as clear as it might be and indicated that officials would look at this again. Other issues raised in the Committee's letter will be dealt with in a meeting with the Minister after summer recess and the Committee has been assured that the Guidelines will not be published until after the meeting.

1.10. The Committee noted the Minister's update of 25 June 2002 about discussions with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland to introduce common measures for Lough Melvin. The Committee agreed to relate its disappointment to the Minister regarding the slow progress, given that it had been hoped to have common measures in place for next years fishing season. It was also agreed to advise Garrison and Lough Melvin anglers of the present position.

1.11. Members noted that an announcement of the outcome of the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative bids and Executive Programme Fund (EFP) 'Infrastructure' bids would be made on the morning of Tuesday 2 July 2002.

1.12. The Committee noted the Department's letter of 25 June 2002 indicating that funding for the Strategy on Sport for Young People was presently under consideration. Members also noted that a sub group of the Cultural Forum had been established to bring together representatives from the Department, the Department of Education, the Sports Council and the Education and Library Boards to facilitate consideration of long term funding requirements. It was agreed that the Committee would seek an update on progress in due course.

2. Presentation by the Northern Ireland Events Company

2.1. Mr Walker and Ms McAleese updated the Committee on the work of the Company.

Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 10:58am.

2.2. The delegation advised that support for small local events, having an economic impact and creating social cohesion in TSN and rural areas, was a new approach commenced this year with ring-fenced funding, as many of these events are the roots to increasing cultural tourism, the benefits of which are felt locally.

2.3. The delegation assured the Committee that their procedures for selection of events for support were sound, continuously reviewed and recognised as such by the Audit Office. They answered general questions about the recent criticisms by the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the Company, the detail of which would be taken forward formally by the Public Accounts Committee.

2.4. The delegation advised that the Company proposed to communicate with all provincial press later in the year with a view to featuring articles on its work to ensure that its profile is given greater recognition in other ways.

2.5. It was agreed that the Company would meet with the Committee after the recess to keep the Committee updated on progress and to follow-up issues emerging from its response to the Public Accounts Committee.

The Chairperson left the meeting and the Committee agreed to Mr Wilson assuming the Chair at 11:35am.

3. Minutes of the meeting of 20 June 2002

3.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings of the meeting on 20 June 2002 were agreed.

The Chairperson returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair at 11:40am.

4. Matters arising

4.1. There were no matters arising.

5. Draft response to the report on the review of licensing arrangements

5.1. Mr Jim Wilson gave a short presentation to demonstrate to the Committee the current complex procedures relating to licensing and fishing permits that anglers have to comply with.

5.2. The Committee agreed a response to the Minister on the report of the review group on licensing arrangements.

6. Correspondence from the Ulster Angling Federation about the proposed transfer of aquaculture functions from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)

6.1. The Committee agreed a response to the Ulster Angling Federation's letter of 10 June 2002, raising concerns about the proposed transfer of fish farming licensing functions from DARD to DCAL.

7. Executive Position Report

7.1. The Committee agreed a response to the Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel's letter of 7 June 2002 on the Executive Position Report. It was also agreed to pursue the issue of "Departmental Investment Policy" with the Department after the summer recess.

8. Any other business

8.1. The Committee considered the need to have more meetings out of Parliament Buildings and agreed, where possible, to involve District Councils in programmes for local visits.

9. Date of next meeting

9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 4 July 2002 in Room 152.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:13pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson