Minutes of Proceedings

In attendance for a presentation at 10:30am on his preliminary work on the Committee's Inquiry into Cultural Tourism and the Arts: Dr Stephen Boyd, Specialist Adviser.

In attendance for a presentation at 11:15am on the Advisory Panel's Report on 'Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland': Mr Rab McConaghy, Research Services.

The meeting opened, in public, at 10:15am.

1. Chairperson's business

1.1. The Chairperson reiterated the need to turn off mobile telephones during recordings of public sessions. He drew members' attention to interruptions in a recording of last week's meeting caused by a mobile telephone, despite his reference to Mr Reynold's minute on the subject. 

1.2. Members acknowledged receipt of the Sports Council's response to the Committee's letter of 26 October 2001 which followed up a number of issues associated with the IMS Motorsports Report. They noted that the Motorsports Working Group had begun work on drawing up a shared strategic plan for 2 and 4-wheeled sports and was keen to meet with the Committee. The reply also indicated that the problem of irresponsible quad and scrambler use was being considered by the Working Group. The proposed meeting with the Motorsports Working Group is scheduled for 6 December 2001.

1.3. Members noted the letter from the National Trust about the sale of the Giant's Causeway Visitor Facility site and agreed to await further information on developments from the Environment Committee.

1.4. Members noted the letter from the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Magee Campus inviting the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to the Campus to hear about developments in the Arts. The Committee felt that this would be of interest to all members and agreed to invite Professor Allen and Professor Welch to attend a future Committee meeting at Parliament Buildings.

1.5. Members noted the letter from Bann System Ltd about the outcome of discussions between the company and the Ulster Angling Federation on Recommendation 16 of the Inland Fisheries Report and agreed to await contact from the Federation. Members also noted the advance notice of invitation to the 5th Annual Bann System Ltd Game Angling Seminar, to be held on Thursday 24 January 2002.

1.6. Members were advised that, next week, the Minister of Finance and Personnel would make a statement on the outcome of Executive Programme Fund bids and that the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure would make a statement on the North South Ministerial Council meeting on Waterways.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 22 November 2001

2.1. Minutes of the meeting were agreed.

3. Matters arising

3.1. Para 8.1: The Northern Ireland Events Company have been invited to brief the Committee on 6 December 2001.

4. Visit to Scotland 12 - 13 December 2001

4.1. Members noted the draft programme for the visit to football grounds in Scotland which should provide the opportunity to look at stadia of various sizes that either have been redeveloped recently or are in the process of redevelopment, as well as clubs that have adopted a strong community approach and one club which has developed jointly with its local authority and is linked to a leisure centre. 

4.2. The Committee agreed that Loretta Gordon and Mairead Higgins would accompany members. Members also agreed that Paul Scott from the Sports Council, and Rab McConaghy of Research Services would accompany the delegation. Members were advised that the final programme and details of travel arrangements would be available at next week's meeting.

The meeting moved into private session at 10:30am.

Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 10:45am.

Mr McElduff joined the meeting at 10:49am.

Mr Agnew joined the meeting at 10:49am.

5. Presentation by Dr Boyd Specialist Adviser on the Cultural Tourism and the Arts Inquiry

5.1. Dr Boyd gave a presentation to the Committee outlining the key issues emerging from the written and oral evidence submitted to the Committee in its Inquiry into Cultural Tourism and the Arts. The Committee agreed the approach that Dr Boyd will take to the report format.

The meeting moved into public session at 11:35am.

Mr ONeill left the meeting at 11:35am.

Mr Wilson took the chair, proposed by Dr Adamson and seconded by Mr McMenamin.

6. Presentation by Mr McConaghy on the Advisory Panel's Report on 'Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland'

6.1. Mr McConaghy summarised the key issues in the Report to help inform the Committee's consideration of the recommendations and highlighted a number of issues to be considered during the Committee's visit to Scotland.

6.2. The Committee agreed that it would be necessary to revisit the issue in detail after the Scottish visit.

7. Draft programme for visit by the Central and Western Fisheries Boards

7.1. Members noted the draft programme and agreed that the programme would be revised to allow two full days for events to include possible visits to the Loughs Agency and a scheme at Sion Mills.

Mr Wilson left the meeting at 12:31pm.

Dr Adamson took the chair, proposed by Mr McElduff and seconded by Mr Shannon.

8. NI Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) - Consultation document on Bill of Rights

8.1. The Committee noted the request by the Committee of the Centre to consider the consultation document on the Bill of Rights issued by the NIHRC. It was agreed that the Committee would comment on Section 13 'Language Rights' and that contributions would be passed to the Clerk. A draft reply would be considered at the next meeting.

9. Any other business

9.1. Planning in River Corridors - Members noted correspondence between the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Ulster Angling Federation and agreed that this issue would be raised at the Committee's future meeting with Planning Service and EHS.

9.2. Report on the Inland Fisheries Inquiry - List of issues for monitoring of progress - Members received copies of the list of issues for monitoring progress on the Report's recommendations by the four Departments concerned.

9.3. Report on the Inland Fisheries Inquiry - Letter from Hillmount Properties (NI) Ltd - Members noted the letter received from Mr Frazer of Hillmount Properties (NI) Ltd and agreed to consider it at next week's meeting.

9.4. Members noted the situation of three well established Irish Dance Schools that are being barred from taking part in the All Ireland and World Championships, because the dancers are not Irish speakers. Members agreed to raise this issue with the Department.

10. Date of next meeting

10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 10:15am on Thursday 6 December 2001 in Room 152.

The meeting closed at 12:54 pm.

E ONeill
Chairperson