Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairperson opened the meeting, in closed session, at 12:00noon.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Committee agreed to hold the meeting in closed session.

1.2. The Chairperson advised members that the meeting would be recorded and requested that mobile phones were completely switched off.

2. Minutes of 24 January 2002

2.1. The draft Minutes of Proceedings for 24 January 2002 were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. Para.5.3 - The Clerk reported that the invitation list for the Burns' Night Supper, hosted by the Secretary of State on 24 January 2002 at Hillsborough Castle, was compiled by Lord Laird of Artigarvan, the Chairman of the Ulster Scots Agency Board. Members agreed that the Clerk would advise the Board of the Committee's role in culture in Northern Ireland and of its desire to be involved in cultural events.

3.2. Para.5.4 - Members agreed a letter to the Managing Editor of the Belfast Telegraph to advise of the Committee's role in Sport in Northern Ireland.

Mr Davis attended the meeting at 12:15pm.
Mr Shannon attended the meeting at 12:49pm.
Mr ONeill left the meeting at 12:48 to attend to other Assembly business.
Mr Wilson assumed the Chair, proposed by Mr Hilditch and seconded by Mr McMenamin.
Mr ONeill resumed the Chair at 1:41pm.

4. Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland

4.1. The Committee considered the recommendations in the Advisory Panel's report to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure and agreed that the Clerk would draft a response to the Department for consideration by the Committee.

Mr Shannon left the meeting at 1:50pm.

5. Date of next meeting

5.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10am on Thursday 31 January 2002 in the headquarters of the Sports Council, the House of Sport, Upper Malone Road, Belfast.

The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1:55pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson