COMMITTEE FOR CuLTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

Minutes of Proceedings

Thursday, 24 may 2007
Room 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
The Lord Browne MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Paul Maskey MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

In Attendance:
Mr Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Dr Kathryn Bell (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Alister Strain (Clerical Officer)
Mr Denis Arnold (Bill Office – Item 4 only)

Apologies:
Mr David Burnside MLA

The meeting opened at 10.40am in public session.

1. Chairperson’s business

The Chair informed members that he had received and accepted an invitation from the Rural College & Derrynoid Centre to attend a showcase event for its storytelling programme on 25 May 2007.

The Chair informed members that he had received an invitation from the Forum for Local Government and the Arts and attended the quarterly Plenary of District Council Arts Officers in the Alley Arts Centre/Theatre in Strabane on 23 May 2007.

The Chair informed members that he had received an invitation to attend the launch of Ofcom’s Market Report.

The Chair informed members that he had received an invitation to attend a reception to mark Northern Ireland’s participation at the 52nd Venice Arts Biiennale 2007, but that he and the Deputy Chair were unable to accept the invitation due to other engagements. The Chair noted that the invitation had been copied to all members.

The Chair informed members that the Clerk had received an email from Children in Northern Ireland making first contact with the Committee and offering to provide briefing.

2. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2007.

Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed as amended.

3. Matters arising

The Chair drew Members’ attention to all Members’ interests which had been declared to the Clerk. The Chair reminded Members that they could declare any further interests or make amendments at any time with the Clerk.

Members declared the following interests:

Mr Barry McElduff (Chair)

Remunerated:
Member of Omagh District Council

Unremunerated:
Director, Rural Link
Director, Fintona Regeneration Initiative (FRI)
Member of various community groups
Member of Western Education & Library Board

Mr David McNarry (Deputy Chair) None

Mr Dominic Bradley

Remunerated
Education editor of Irish Language Daily Newspaper LÁ NUA
Columnist for weekly newspaper for Newry Democrat

Unremunerated
Member of BOG Bunscoil an Iúir
Member of the staff of St Paul’s High School Bessbrook (leave of absence)
Columnist weekly newspaper Newry Reporter
Member of Board of Tí Chulainn Cultural Activity Centre, Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh

Mr Francie Brolly None

The Lord Browne

Member of Belfast City Council
Trustee of Somme Association

Mr David Burnside

Directorships
David Burnside Associates Ltd (DBA Ltd):
Communications consultancy

Remunerated

DBA Ltd: Communications consultancy
Home farm at Secon, Ballymoney from which a rental income is received
Shareholdings
New Century Holdings Ltd: the holding company for DBA Ltd

Mr Paul Maskey

Belfast City Council
West Belfast Partnership Sub Economic Development Partnership
Greater Andersonstown Neighbourhood Partnership
Féile an Phobail
Upper Andersontown Community Forum
Fáilte Feirste Thiar

Mr Kieran McCarthy

Remunerated

Member of Ards Borough Council

Unremunerated

Member of Portaferry Regeneration Ltd
Member of Kircubbin Regeneration Group
Member of Peninsula Healthy Living
Member of Parish of Ardquin Community Hall Group
Member of St Patrick’s School Board of Governors
Member of Portaferry Integrated School Board of Governors

Land and Property

Small farm holding Ballycranmore, Kircubbin
Farm bungalow Ballycranmore, Kircubbin
Shop premises & dwelling at Main Street, Kircubbin

Mr Nelson McCausland

Acting chair of Ulster-Scots Heritage Council
Member of Linen Hall Library
Member of Belfast City Council
Chair of Belfast Education & Library Board, library committee
Director – North Belfast Partnership Board
Director of Greater Shankill Partnership Board
Governor – Wheatfield Primary School
Governor - Legoniel Primary School
Governor - Carr’s Glen Primary school

Mr Pat Ramsey

Remunerated
Member of Derry City Council
Member of District Policing Partnership

Unremunerated
Director of Foyle Haven – Drop in centre for alcoholics
Member of the Board Millennium Forum

Mr Jim Shannon

Remunerated
Councillor, Ards Borough Council
Self-employed Pork Retailer

The Chair advised members that he had written to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure seeking information on the ADSEA project and asking for a breakdown of the current spend and CSR bids for Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency. A response has been asked for by 4 June 2007.

The Chair advised members that the Clerk had requested from Research Services information on comparative spend per capita on minority languages in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A response is expected by 25 May 2007.

The Committee discussed the format and content of the Minutes of Proceedings.

Agreed: The Clerk agreed to provide the Committee with a memorandum on the conventions relating to the Minutes of Proceedings.

4. Presentation from Bill Office

Mr Denis Arnold from the Bill Office briefed Members on the primary legislation process in the Assembly.

Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.02am

5. Departmental presentation on draft Libraries Bill

The following officials from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure joined the meeting at 11.10am:

Mr Paul Sweeney (Permanent Secretary)
Mr Colin Jack (Head of Culture Division)

Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting at 11.12am

Mr Jack gave an overview of the draft Libraries Bill. This was followed by a question and answer session.

6. Departmental presentation on Review of Public Administration

The following official from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure joined the meeting at 11.40am:

Ms Judena Goldring (Director of Review of Public Administration)

Ms Goldring and Mr Paul Sweeney (Permanent Secretary) briefed the Committee on the impact of the Review of Public Administration on the Department. This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.57am
Mr Bradley rejoined the meeting at 12.02pm

7. Departmental presentation on proposed Irish Language Bill

Ms Goldring and Mr Sweeney briefed the Committee on the work the Department had undertaken to date in taking forward plans for the introduction of Irish language legislation. This was followed by a question and answer session.

8. Presentation from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The following officials from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland joined the meeting at 12.40am:

Ms Roisin McDonough (Chief Executive)
Mr Nick Livingston (Director of Strategic Development)
Ms Noirin McKinney (Director of Arts Development)

Ms McDonough gave an overview of the work of the Arts Council and briefed the Committee on the funding issues currently facing it. This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr McNarry left the meeting at 12.41pm

Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting at 12.48pm

9. Committee Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed to address the issue of the Comprehensive Spending Review at next week’s meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to address the issue of topics for potential inquiries as the first item of substantive business at next week’s meeting.

Agreed: The Clerk agreed to provide members with a background paper on Committee inquiries.

10. Correspondence

Agreed: Members approved the Chair’s response to the Department in relation to how the Committee wishes to be consulted, and the response to the Arts Council regarding the TURAS project. Members approved the Clerk’s response to correspondence from Children in Northern Ireland.

11. Any Other Business

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Mr Shannon would inform Members about the British Shooting Sports Council at next week’s meeting.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed its next meeting will be held on Thursday 31 May 2007 at 10.30am in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 13.35pm.

 

Mr Barry McElduff MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
31 May 2007.

17 May 07 / MENU