Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 01 March 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
The meeting opened at 10.39am.
1. Apologies
The apologies are noted above.
2. Draft Minutes of Meetings held on 16 February 2012 and 20 February 2012
The Committee agreed the minutes of 16 February 2012 and 20 February 2012
3. Matters Arising
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to organisations affected by a reduction in their budget because of a reallocation of funds to Libraries NI, to ascertain what, if any, impact there may be on the delivery of their services.
The Committee noted that the Minister has agreed that an official will attend the Stakeholder Forum on archaeological issues on 12 March 2012.
Agreed: The Committee agreed: to write to the Minister to ask her to keep the Committee informed of her discussions with the Strategic Investment Board; and to forward the Minister’s response regarding the remit of Waterways Ireland onto Newry / Portadown Branch of Inland Waterways Association.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister outlining the status of the three outstanding Post Project Evaluation Reports.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward NILGA’s correspondence regarding the route of the Olympic Torch Relay onto the Salto National Gymnastics Centre.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the briefing paper from the Cathedral Quarter Steering Group, as presented to the Committee for Social Development, onto DCAL.
4. NI Theatre Association briefing regarding the Committee’s Inquiry into Maximizing the Potential of the Creative Industries
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.45am:
Mr Stephen Beggs, Manager of Bruiser Theatre Company;
Ms Eimear Henry, Replay Productions; and
Ms Charlotte Smith, NITA Coordinator.
The officials briefed the Committee.
Mrs Brenda Hale joined the meeting at 10.54am.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr William Irwin left the meeting at 10.59am.
Mr William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 11.09am.
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín left the meeting at 11.22am.
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín rejoined the meeting at 11.29am.
The officials left the meeting at 11.36am.
5. Briefing from DCAL on Ulster-Scots Academy Ministerial Advisory Group
The following officials joined the meeting at 11.38am:
Director of Culture Division, DCAL, Mr Arthur Scott;
Chairperson of Ulster-Scots Academy Ministerial Advisory Group, Dr Bill Smith;
Secretary of Ulster-Scots Academy Ministerial Advisory Group, Ms Anne Tohill; and
Member of Ulster-Scots Academy Ministerial Advisory Group, Dr Caroline Baraniuk.
The officials briefed the Committee.
Mr David Hilditch made a declaration that he is: Chairperson of the project to Refurbish Andrew Jackson Cottage; Chairperson of the Andrew Jackson Cottage Display Panels project; and a member of the Feasibility Study: Ulster Scots Tourism Trail project.
A question and answer session followed.
Mrs Karen McKevitt left the meeting at 11.54am.
Agreed: Officials agreed: to provide to the Committee a copy of the scoping survey of archives; and to liaise with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding funding for tourist trails under the Rural Development Programme.
The officials left the meeting at 12.11pm.
Mr Oliver McMullan left the meeting at 12.11pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed: to write to the Minister to seek clarification on the budget and spend for running costs for the Ministerial Advisory Group; and to request a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministerial Advisory Group and the Ulster Scots Agency.
6. Research and Information Services Briefing on EU Sports Policy and Capital Matters
The following official joined the meeting at 12.12pm:
Dr Dan Hull, Assembly Researcher
Mr Oliver McMullan rejoined the meeting at 12.13am.
The official briefed the Committee.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr William Irwin took the Chair at 12.22pm.
Ms Michelle McIlveen left the meeting at 12.22pm.
Ms Michelle McIlveen rejoined the meeting at 12.27pm and resumed the Chair.
The official left the meeting at 12.28pm.
7. Joint Briefing from DCAL and Sport NI officials regarding the progress of Sport Matters
The following officials joined the meeting at 12.29pm:
Deputy Secretary, DCAL, Ms Cynthia Smith;
Head of Sport, DCAL, Mr Colin Watson;
Chief Executive, Sport NI, Professor Eamonn McCartan; and
Head of Policy, Planning and Research, Sport NI, Mr Paul Donnelly.
The officials briefed the Committee.
Mrs Brenda Hale left the meeting at 12.35pm.
Mr William Irwin left the meeting at 12.50pm.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 12.53pm.
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín left the meeting at 12.59pm.
Agreed: The officials agreed to provide to the Committee details of all sources of funding for the implementation of the Sport Matters strategy.
Mrs Karen McKevitt rejoined the meeting at 1.07pm.
Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 1.08pm
The officials left the meeting at 1.14pm.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted DCAL’s Forecast Outturn for February to March 2012.
The Committee noted DCAL’s Investing Activity Report from OFMDFM.
The Committee noted the Minister’s statements following the NSMC meetings on Inland Waterways and Language.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister, informing the Committee that she intended to make a statement to the Assembly on Tuesday 28th February 2012 regarding salmon conservation levels in the DCAL jurisdiction. The Committee noted that the statement was later withdrawn.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to ascertain her assessment of her Department’s performance during 2011/12, as suggested in a letter considered by the Committee from the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
The Committee noted a thank you letter from the Chair of the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht following their meeting on 27 January 2012.
Agreed: The Committee agreed: to forward the letter regarding sponsorship for Strongest Man competitions onto DCAL and Sport NI; and to inform the author of the letter of this action.
The Committee noted Libraries NI Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2011.
Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 1.19pm.
Mr William Irwin left the meeting at 1.19pm.
9. Chairperson’s Business
The Chair updated Members on her and the Deputy Chair’s meeting with the Minister on Tuesday 28 February 2012.
The Committee noted all invitations.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed the changes to the Forward Work Programme.
11. Any other business
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft response to OFMDFM’s Draft European Priorities 2012-13 Paper.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Department’s briefing paper, which was considered at the meeting on 16 February 2012, to the Ulster Angling Federation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue a Press Release marking World Book Day.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 08 March 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 1.21pm.
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
8 March 2012
