COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
None
In attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.05 a.m .
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Discussion with Minister on multi-sports stadium and safety at sports grounds
The following representatives from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Sport NI joined the meeting:
Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Mr Edgar Jardine Deputy Secretary
Mr Nick Harkness Sport NI
10.20 a.m. Mr McCausland joined the meeting.
The Minister briefed the Committee on the multi-sports stadium and safety at sports grounds. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Inquiry into the Arts
The following representatives from the Arts Council joined the meeting:
Ms Roisin McDonough (Chief Executive)
Ms Noírín McKinney (Director of Arts Development)
Ms Lorraine McDowell (Director of Operations)
Mr Nick Livingston (Director of Strategic Development)
11.45 a.m. Mr Bradley left the meeting.
The Committee took oral evidence from the representatives from the Arts Council. This was followed by a question and answer session. The Arts Council agreed to forward further information to the Committee on its budget.
12.00 p.m. Mr Shannon left the meeting.
12.15 p.m. Mr McElduff left the meeting.
12.15 p.m. Mr McNarry took the Chair.
12.30 p.m. Mr McNarry vacated the Chair.
12.30 p.m. Mr McElduff rejoined the meeting and took the Chair.
4. Draft Minutes of 19 February 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2009 were agreed.
5. Review of the Department’s management of its arms length bodies
The Chairperson advised the Committee that a meeting has been arranged for 3 March 2009 to hear evidence from the Department on the management of its arms length bodies.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to contact the Department to ask how many qualified finance specialists are in the Department and what qualifications they hold.
6. Chairperson’s business
Following a query raised at the meeting on 19 February 2009, the Chairperson advised that councils are responsible for issuing entertainment licences to venues, and that councils come under the remit of the Department of the Environment.
7. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request Hansard coverage for the evidence session with the Department on 3 March 2009 and for the oral evidence sessions for the arts inquiry on 5 March 2009.
8. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Tuesday 3 March 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05 p.m.