Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in closed session at 10.47a.m

1. Briefing from Legal Services in relation to the European Charter for Regional and minority Languages (ECRML)

The Committee was briefed by Assistant Legal Advisor, Alice McKelvey on the ECRML.

Mr Burns left the meeting at 10.58a.m

Mr Humphrey joined the meeting at 11.10a.m

The Committee moved into open session at 11.12a.m

2. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

3. Draft Minutes of 18 November 2010

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the Committee meeting of 18 November 2010.

4. Welcome from Libraries NI

Irene Knox – Chief Executive of Libraries NI formally welcomed Members of the Committee to Antrim Library.

Agreed: It was agreed that that item number 6 would be taken next.

5. Briefing from Libraries NI regarding Cultural Heritage

The Committee noted the briefing paper from Libraries NI.

The following officials joined the meeting:

Irene Knox - Chief Executive – Libraries NI

Helen Osborn - Director of Service Delivery – Libraries NI

Muriel Todd - Business Manager – Libraries NI

The officials made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department in relation to the impact of further cuts to Libraries NI arising from Budget 2010 and to request a reply to the Committee’s response on the spending and savings plans.

Agreed: It was agreed that that item number 7 would be taken next.

6. Briefing from NI Human Rights Commission regarding the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages (ECRML)

The Committee noted the briefing paper from the NI Human Rights Commission.

The following representatives joined the meeting:

Professor Monica McWilliams - Chief Commissioner - NIHRC

Ciarán Ó Maoláin - Head of Legal Services – NIHRC

Daniel Holder - policy lead ECRML – NIHRC

The representatives made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.10p.m

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 12.32p.m

Mr Robinson rejoined the meeting at 12.40p.m

Agreed: It was agreed that that item number 8 would be taken next.

7. Briefing from DCAL and Foras na Gaeilge regarding restructuring of the Core-Funded Irish Language voluntary groups

The Committee noted the following papers:

• Clerk’s briefing paper.
• Assembly Research paper – Funding and Governance Arrangements for the Irish Language Voluntary Sector: Recent developments and background information.
• “Towards the Ideal” Core-funded organisations paper to Foras na Gaeilge.
• New funding model from 7 Core Funded Groups NI based, and
• Briefing paper

The following officials joined the meeting:

Arthur Scott - Director of Culture – DCAL

Donal Moran - Head of Languages Branch – DCAL

Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh - Chief Executive Officer – Foras na Gaeilge

Éamonn Ó hArgáin - Director of Developmental Services – Foras na Gaeilge

The officials made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 12.51p.m

Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 12.51p.m

The Deputy Chairperson took the chair of the meeting at 12.55p.m

The Chairperson resumed the chair at 12.57p.m

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting a timeline of the EQIA and details of the screening process on the restructuring of core-funded Irish Language voluntary groups.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 1.13pm

Agreed: It was agreed that that item number 8 would be taken next.

8. New Committee inquiry – options for the way forward

Agreed: The Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry on the economic and cultural potential of the museum sector in NI.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that agenda item 5 (Matters Arising) and agenda item 11 (Correspondence) would be deferred to next week’s meeting.

9. Date and time of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 02 December 2010 at 10.00a.m.in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.22p.m

Mr Barry McElduff 
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure 
2 December 2010