Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a meeting at 10:30am: Disability Sports Northern Ireland - Mr Patrick Bell, Chairman, Ms Angela Hendra, Board Member, and Mr Kevin O'Neill, Development Officer.

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in public, at 10:25am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee noted the Minister's letter of 21 February 2002 in response to the Committee's concerns about the increases in soccer club insurance premiums.
1.2. The Committee noted the Minister's letter of 25 February 2002 about the financial situation of the Millennium Forum Theatre in Londonderry in the current financial year and agreed that the Chairperson would forward a copy of the letter to the Chief Executive.

Dr Adamson attended the meeting at 10:30am.

1.3. The Committee agreed a reply to Rev. Alan Smylie in response to his letter of 25 February 2002.

1.4. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and the Clerk would attend the "Grow Your Business" seminar in the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, on Friday 8 March 2002 and that other members would advise the Committee Office of their intentions by Monday 4 March 2002.

Mr Hilditch and Mr Kelly attended the meeting at 10:32am.

1.5. The Committee noted the letter of 27 February 2002 from the Committee for Finance and Personnel about the Committee's Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives. Members agreed to forward a letter about the Inquiry to the Minister. It was agreed to return to the issue at a future meeting.

1.6. Members noted that the Minister would be hosting a reception for the Belfast Giants on Tuesday 26 March 2002.

Mr Wilson attended the meeting at 10:34am.
Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 10:39am.

2. Meeting with Disability Sports Northern Ireland

2.1. The Disability Sports delegation outlined the financial problems that the organisation is facing and which are standing in the way of it being able to implement its 4-year Development Plan from 1 April 2002. The delegation answered members' questions.

2.2. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and the Clerk would meet with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Sports Council.

3. Minutes of the meeting of 26 February 2002

3.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings of 26 February 2002 were agreed.

4. Matters arising

4.1. There were no matters arising.

Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 11:00am.
Mr Kelly left the meeting at 11:15am.

5. Draft agenda for visit by Joint Committee for Tourism, Sports and Recreation

5.1. The Committee agreed the draft agenda for the visit by the Joint Committee for Tourism, Sports and Recreation on 7 March 2002 and noted that the meeting would start with a short presentation by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. Members also agreed that the Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, Mr John Treacy, would attend the meeting.

5.2. Members were asked to indicate their availability to attend the meeting.

6. Review of the effectiveness of the Civil Service response to devolution

6.1. Members were asked to forward their views on areas where improvements might be made to the Service provided to Ministers and the Assembly to the Clerk by Wednesday 26 March 2002 and also views on the issues listed in Appendix 2 of Mr Loughran's letter of 28 January 2002 to the Speaker.

6.2. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should participate in the consultation process on the Committee's behalf.

Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 11:28pm.

7. Flow control on the Lower River Bann

7.1. Members agreed letters to issue to the Minister, the Fisheries Conservancy Board and the Chairperson of the Committee for the Environment.

8. Fisheries Conservancy Board minutes

8.1. Members agreed a letter to issue to the Minister about the non-availability to the public of Fisheries Conservancy Board minutes.

9. Any other business

9.1 The Committee recorded its regret at the death of Spike Milligan, and referred to the particular connection that the film of his book 'Puckoon' had with Northern Ireland'.

9.2 The Committee congratulated Mr Jim Wilson and Mr Ivan Davis on their respective appointments as Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip of the Ulster Unionist Party.

The Committee moved into private session at 11:40am.

10. Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry

10.1. The Committee continued the initial scrutiny of the draft report, prepared by the Specialist Advisor and agreed that the Clerk would redraft identified areas.

Mr Agnew and Mr Shannon left the meeting at 12:02pm.

11. Date of next meeting

11.1. The Committee agreed to hold a special meeting to continue the scrutiny of the draft report on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry at 11:30am on Tuesday 5 March 2002 in Room 152.

11.2. The Committee will meet again at 2:30pm on Thursday 7 March 2002 in the Long Gallery, following lunch with the Joint Committee at 12:30pm in the Members' Dining Room.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12:25pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson