COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (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
In attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mrs Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in closed session at 10.36 a.m.
1. Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the final draft of the report at its meeting on Thursday 11 December 2008.
Members agreed to table the following motion for debate in the Business Office:
“That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure (7/08/09R) on its inquiry into the development of a museums policy for Northern Ireland”.
The meeting moved into public session at 10.40 a.m.
2. Consideration of Committee response to the Ofcom PSB Review Consultation
The Chairperson drew the Committee’s attention to copies of the Ultach responses and Mr McCausland’s response to the Ofcom consultation.
The Chairperson advised that he had written to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport regarding the Assembly’s request to extend the consultation deadline for a further three months.
The Committee discussed its response to the Ofcom PSB Review Consultation and agreed to discuss Mr McCausland’s proposed addendum later in the meeting.
3. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
The Committee agreed to record in the minutes its congratulations to Christine Bleakley and Eoghan Quigg on their success in their respective competitions, and their promotion of Northern Ireland on a wider stage.
The Committee noted the response from the Arts Council regarding its allocation of its budget.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister to Mr McNarry’s letter on the Northern Ireland Events Company.
5. Committee’s informal meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2008
The Chairperson advised the Committee that an informal meeting had been arranged with various interest groups on Tuesday 9 December from 12 p.m. – 1p.m. in Room 144.
6. Briefing from the Minister on Language Strategy
The following representatives from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure joined the meeting:
Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Ms Linda Wilson Head of Culture Division
Mr Donal Moran Head of Linguistic Operations Branch and Cultural & Language Diversity Policy Branch
The Minister briefed the Committee on his plans for a n ‘Indigenous or Regional Minority Language Strategy’. A question and answer session followed.
7. Departmental briefing on the Gaeltacht Quarter
The following officials from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure joined the meeting:
Ms Linda Wilson Head of Culture Division
Mr Donal Moran Head of Linguistic Operations Branch and Cultural & Language Diversity Policy Branch
Ms Colette Quinn Cultural & Language Diversity Policy Branch
12.20 p.m. Mr Ramsey left the meeting.
The representatives briefed the Committee on the plans to create a Gaeltacht Quarter in West Belfast. This was followed by a question and answer session.
12.25 p.m. Mr Bradley left the meeting.
12.30 p.m. Mr Shannon left the meeting.
Departmental officials agreed to provide further information on the Farset Way Project and An Cultúrlann.
8. Consideration of Committee response to the Ofcom PSB Review Consultation
Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue its response, which was to include Mr McCausland’s tabled addendum.
9. Consideration of terms of reference for Committee’s Review into the Department’s management of the Northern Ireland Event Company and its other Arms Length Bodies
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the terms of reference for the Committee’s Review.
Agreed : The Committee agreed the terms of reference subject to a minor amendment to Annex 4.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to forward the terms of reference to the Department.
10. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to the Clerk’s report of the meeting heldwith Todd Kelman of the Belfast Giants on Tuesday 2 December 2008. The Chair advised that should Members wish to contact the Belfast Giants on an individual basis, the Clerk would provide contact details.
Agreed : The Committee agreed its Christmas card list.
11. Correspondence
The Committee notedthe correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the budget stocktake .
Agreed :Members agreedto forward the letter from the Clerk to the Committee on Procedures to the Departmental Liaison Officer regarding an inquiry into Assembly Questions .
The Committee notedthe response from the British Council regarding the recent visit by the Jordanian delegation of educational specialists.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to accept the invitation from the Arts Council to hold a committee meeting at MacNeice House in Belfast.
The Committee noted theMinister’s response regarding the recruitment and retention of players in Ulster Rugby.
Agreed : The Committee noted a letter to Mr Bradley regarding a staffing issue at Armagh Planetarium and agreed to write to the Department to seek further information on the issue.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to write to Ulster Rugby to seek information on why the Youth Development Officer posts will no longer be funded.
The Committee noted the Permanent Secretary’s response to Professor Montgomery, President of the Ulster Scots Language Society.
Agreed : Members agreedto forward to the Department a briefing paper from the Clerk to the Committee for the Environment on sustainable urban drainage systems, and to request an update on its thinking regarding their usage.
The Committee was advised that the following documents had been received and were available in the Committee Office:
- The Annual Business Report 2007-08 of the Education and Training Inspectorate;
- Rose Energy news; and
- Wee Can, a community arts newsletter.
12. Forward Work Plan
The Committee noted its forward work plan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Hansard would record the briefing on safety at sports grounds at its meeting on Thursday 11 December 2008.
13. Date and time of the next meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commence the meeting of Thursday 11 December 2008 at 10.00 a.m. to facilitate those Members who may wish to attend the Assembly Carol Service at 12.30 p.m.
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Thursday 11 December 2008 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.50 p.m.