COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
THURSDAY 8 MAY 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
In attendance:
Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.33 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2008 were agreed.
Mr McNarry joined the meeting at 10.36 a.m.
3. Matters arising
The Chairperson advised the Committee that the Minister has agreed to attend a Committee meeting at 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 13 May 2008 to discuss budgetary and other issues.
Mr Brolly joined the meeting at 10.39 a.m.
4. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2008 were agreed.
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 10.43 a.m.
Mr McCausland joined the meeting at 10.43 a.m.
5. Matters arising
The Chairperson advised that Mr Chris Bailey of the Northern Ireland Museums Council has agreed to attend a Committee meeting to discuss a policy for museums.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that it had been agreed at last weeks meeting that issues raised by European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) would be discussed in more detail today.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to discuss EBLUL at the next meeting when further information would be available.
The Committee noted the information from the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau on cruise calls to the Port of Belfast.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to National Museums Northern Ireland to request information regarding the inclusion of visits to museums on cruise liner passenger tours itineraries.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners and Derry City Council to request details of their cruise initiatives.
Mr Brolly rejoined the meeting at 10.51 a.m.
6. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson advised the Committee that he had received an invitation from OFCOM to a reception on 19 May 2008.
Mr Brolly rejoined the meeting at 10.51 a.m.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that he had received correspondence from Mr McNarry on funding concerns for Art Ability.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to consider the issue when further information from Art Ability would be available.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to the Arts Council and the Department to seek further information on Arts Ability.
7. Briefing from the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council
The following representatives from the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council joined the meeting:
Mr Andrew Castles (Operations and Marketing Communications Manager)
Mr Gordon Lucy (Treasurer of Executive Board)
The representatives briefed the Committee on the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council.
Agreed – the Ulster-Scots Heritage Council agreed to supply information on the 92 associate members of their organisation.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.00 a.m.
Lord Browne joined the meeting at 11.00 a.m.
Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting at 11.09 a.m.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 11.30 a.m.
Mr McCausland left the meeting at 11.35 a.m.
8. Briefing from the Ulster Historical Foundation
The following representatives from the Ulster Historical Foundation joined the meeting:
Mr David Clement (Chairman of the Board of Trustees)
Dr Eamon Phoenix (Trustee)
Mr Fintan Mullan (Executive Director)
The representatives briefed the Committee on the Ulster Historical Foundation.
Mr McCausland rejoined the meeting at 11.55 a.m.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to raise the issue of a shortfall in revenue funding to the Ulster Historical Foundation with the Minister when he attends the Committee meeting on 13 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to raise the issue of re-establishing links between the Ulster Historical Foundation and PRONI when he attends the Committee meeting on 13 May 2008.
Mr Ramsey left the meeting at 12.18 p.m.
Mr Ramsey rejoined the meeting at 12.22 p.m.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed – the Committee agreed Hansard coverage for the meeting with the Minister on 13 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed Hansard coverage for the presentation by POBAL on 15 May 2008.
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 12.33 p.m.
10. Discussion on possible Inquiry
The Committee discussed options for a Committee Inquiry.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to conduct a short inquiry into the non existence of a museums policy followed by the inquiry into the under-funding of the arts/sport.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted the correspondence dated 1 May 2008 from OFMDFM on the overall Maze/Long Kesh Masterplan costs attributed to the multi-sports stadium.
Agreed- the Committee agreed to consider the response from OFMDFM at the next Committee meeting.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
12. Any other business
The Chairperson advised the Committee that arrangements are being made with the Department of Finance and Personnel for a Procurement Awareness Seminar.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to avail of an awareness session on a Tuesday afternoon.
Agreed- the Committee agreed to write to Foras Na Gaeilge to request information on how many development officers it currently funds.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that the Libraries Bill passed Consideration Stage on 6 May 2008 and that Further Consideration Stage is schedule for 19 May 2008 with the Final Stage on 27 May 2008.
13. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 4.00 p.m. in Room 135 with the Minister and representatives from Sports NI and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in attendance.
The regular Committee meeting will be on Thursday 15 May 2008 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 152.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.57 p.m.