Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 02 October 2012
Venue: Room 30, Parliament Buildings
The meeting opened at 10.34am.
1. Apologies
The apologies are noted above.
Mr Robin Swann joined the meeting at 10.35am.
2. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Briefing from DCAL regarding Salmon Conservation
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.36am:
Head of Policy and Admin, Inland Fisheries, Mr Aidan Cassidy;
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr Seamus Connor; and
DCAL Official, Inland Fisheries, Mr David Mann.
The officials briefed the Committee.
Mrs Karen McKevitt joined the meeting at 10.37am.
A question and answer session followed.
Agreed: Officials agreed to confirm to the Committee how many times and with what regularity DCAL has patrolled areas to ensure there has been no commercial fishing.
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín made a declaration that he is a member of a number of angling associations.
Mr Michael McGimpsey joined the meeting at 10.54am.
Mr Dominic Bradley left the meeting at 10.57am.
Agreed: Officials agreed to advise the Committee whether a register for ownership of all waters in the DCAL jurisdiction, including those privately owned, can be developed.
Agreed: Officials agreed to have discussions with both the Loughs Agency and Northern Ireland Tourist Board regarding the consultation proposals; and to recommend to the Minister to clearly define whether the proposal of a total cessation is permanent or temporary.
The officials left the meeting at 11.20am.
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín left the meeting at 11.20am.
4. Briefing from Ofcom regarding UK Regulatory Landscape, Licensing & Coverage
The following officials joined the meeting at 11.21am:
Director, Mr Jonathan Rose; and
Regulatory Affairs Manager NI, Mr James Stinson.
The officials briefed the Committee.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr David Hilditch joined the meeting at 11.30am.
Mr Dominic Bradley rejoined the meeting at 11.35am.
Mr Michael McGimpsey left the meeting at 11.43am.
The officials left the meeting at 11.46am
5. Briefing from Digital UK and Digital Help Scheme regarding Digital Switchover
The following officials joined the meeting at 11.47am:
Regional Manager, Digital UK, Mr Denis Wolinski;
Assistant Manager, Digital UK, Mr Russell Keene;
Director, Digital Help Scheme, Mr Wilf White; and
Area Manager, Digital Help Scheme, Mr Nigel Tilson.
The officials briefed the Committee.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr Michael McGimpsey rejoined the meeting at 12.09pm.
Ms Rosaleen McCorley left the meeting at 12.09pm.
Ms Rosaleen McCorley rejoined the meeting at 12.14pm.
Mr Robin Swann left the meeting at 12.14pm.
The officials left the meeting at 12.26pm.
Mr Oliver McMullan left the meeting at 12.27pm.
6. Briefing from NIMUX (RTÉ and TG4) and Digital UK regarding digital switchover
The following officials joined the meeting at 12.27pm:
Project Manager of NI Multiplex, Mr Ray Maguire;
Head of Statutory Compliance, RTÉ, Dr Anne O’Connor;
Deputy CEO, TG4, Mr Pádhraic Ó Ciardha; and
Regional Manager, Digital UK, Mr Denis Wolinski.
The officials briefed the Committee.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr William Humphrey left the meeting at 12.43pm.
The officials left the meeting at 12.46pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DCMS: outlining the Committee’s concerns regarding the backlog of installations of Freeview HD boxes to those eligible under the Help Scheme; requesting that the deadline for help from the Digital Help Scheme can be extended beyond 24 November 2012 given the backlog in installations; and requesting the total cost of funding for NIMUX by DCMS and RTÉ.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the Hansard report of the briefing on the salmon conservation consultation to the Department.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted correspondence from the Assembly’s Head of Outreach and Education regarding an event on 9 October 2012.
8. Chairperson’s Business
Members were advised that attendance records are on the Assembly website.
Mr Dominic Bradley left the meeting at 12.48pm.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
11. Any other business
There was no other business.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 11th October at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.50pm.
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
11 October 2012
