COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
THURSDAY 1 MAY 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
In attendance:
Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 10.33 a.m. in public session
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2008 were agreed.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m.
Mr McCausland joined the meeting at 10.36 a.m.
3. Matters arising
The Committee was briefed by Mr Martin Wilson on two consequential amendments to the Libraries Bill.
4. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised the Committee that he has received a request as Chairperson of the Committee from Action Renewables to sign the Climate Change No Day Named Motion.
Agreed – the Committee agreed that the Chairperson should sign the No Day Named Motion as requested.
5. Briefing from ULTACH Trust
The following representatives from the ULTACH Trust joined the meeting:
Aodán Mac Póilin (Director)
Róise Ní Bhaoill (Deputy Director)
Mr Gordon McCoy (Cross Community Officer)
The representatives briefed the Committee on the ULTACH Trust. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.37 a.m.
6. Briefing from the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL)
The following representative from EBLUL joined the meeting:
Mr John McIntyre (Co-President)
The representative briefed the Committee on EBLUL. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to discuss issues raised by EBLUL at the Committee meeting on 8 May 2008.
7. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed – the Committee agreed that there was no requirement for Hansard coverage for the meeting on 8 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to add a presentation from Derry City Council to the Forward Work Programme on 22 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to add a visit to An Gaeláras to the Forward Work Programme on 22 May 2008.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted the correspondence dated 28 April 2008 from the Minister on the quarterly update on key departmental issues.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that the 2006/2007 Report of the Director of Public Health has been received in the Committee Office.
The Chairperson reminded the Committee that the Equality 2000 Limited Bill of Rights DVD launch takes place on 9 May 2008 and Members should advise by 2 May 2008 if they wish to attend.
The Committee noted the correspondence dated 29 April 2008 from the Northern Ireland Museums Council on the development of a policy for museums.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to the Minister to outline the concerns expressed by the Northern Ireland Museums council and to ask him to discuss this in greater detail when he attends a Committee meeting on 13 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee also agreed to invite Mr Chris Bailey to a meeting following discussions with the Minister.
Agreed – the Committee agreed that the Clerk should contact the Visitor Convention Bureau to seek information regarding itineraries for visitors arriving in Belfast by cruise liner.
The Chairperson advised Members that the Department of Finance and Personnel’s Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) are offering Committees an awareness session on public procurement.
Agreed- the Committee agreed that the Clerk should make arrangements for the awareness sessions.
9. Any other business
The Chairperson advised that the Minister has supplied several dates for a further meeting with the Committee to discuss budgetary issues.
Agreed – the Committee agreed a date of Tuesday 13 May 2008 for a further meeting with the Minister.
Agreed - the Committee agreed to send a letter to the Ulster American Folk Park congratulating it on the recent increase in visitor numbers.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to add a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park to the Forward Work Programme.
10. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Thursday 8 May 2008 at 10.30 a.m. in room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.20 p.m.