Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.05pm in Public Session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Minutes of last meetings

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meetings of 13 September 2007 and 18 September 2007.

3. Matters Arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 18 September 2007.

Mr W Clarke joined the meeting at 1.10pm.

(b) Correspondence Received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 18 September 2007.

It was agreed that the Committee would seek further information on fish surveys and on the review of legislation in relation to dangerous dogs.

4. Ministerial Attendance

The Committee discussed Ministerial attendance at Committee meetings. It was agreed to write to the Minister to require her to attend the Committee meeting on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 at 1.15pm.

It was agreed to defer discussion on a number of agenda items, pending the Minister’s attendance.

5. Enniskillen Meeting

The Committee agreed to hold a meeting on Thursday, 25 October 2007 in CAFRE, Enniskillen in place of the meeting due to be held on Tuesday, 23 October 2007. It was also agreed to visit Inniskeen House on the morning of 25 October 2007 for a presentation on DARD Direct.

6. Request for Presentation

The Committee agreed to receive a future presentation from Sperrins Tourism Ltd.

7. AOB

The Committee agreed to start future meetings at 1.00pm.

The meeting was suspended at 1.32pm.
The meeting reconvened at 1.58pm.
Mr Burns joined the meeting at 1.58pm.

8. Presentation from Major Retailer

Ian Bentley, Commercial Executive, Marks and Spencer PLC, joined the meeting at 1.59pm and gave a presentation on the company’s policy in relation to purchasing. He then answered questions from the members.

Mr W Clarke left the meeting at 2.13pm.
Mr Bentley left the meeting at 2.50pm.

9. Presentation from National Beef Association

Kim Haywood, John Carson, Cyril Millar, Harry Marquess and Arthur McKevitt, representatives from the National Beef Association joined the meeting at 2.53pm and gave a presentation on issues facing the beef industry. They then answered questions from the members.

The representatives left the meeting at 3.48pm.
The meeting was suspended at 3.48pm.
The meeting reconvened at 4.19pm.
Mr W Clarke rejoined the meeting at 4.19pm.

10. Presentation from LEADER

Susan Mullan, Miceal McCoy, Wilbert Mayne and James Currie, representatives of LEADER, joined the meeting at 4.20pm and gave a presentation on issues facing Local Action Groups. They then answered questions from the members.

The representatives left the meeting at 5.30pm.

The Committee agreed to seek further information about the Minister’s intended changes to the LEADER Network and to seek the views of Local Councils.

11. Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.00pm on Tuesday, 2 October 2007 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 5.32pm.