COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 19 JUNE 2008
ROOM 152, 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 Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In attendance: Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Wendy Young (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.05 am.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2008 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
The Committee noted the correspondence dated 18 June 2008 from the Press Office on media monitoring services.
The Chairperson reported that following a request by the Committee to the Minister to discuss the Northern Ireland Events Company, the Minister has agreed to discuss this issue with the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson when he meets with them on 19 June 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to request the attendance of the Minister at a Committee meeting after summer recess to discuss the Northern Ireland Events Company.
4. Accounting Officer’s Report on the Proposed Multi-Sports Stadium
Mr Paul Sweeney, Permanent Secretary Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure joined the meeting. Mr Sweeney briefed the Committee on the economic case for the proposed multi-sports stadium. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Shannon joined the meeting at 10.20 am.
Mr McCausland left them meeting at 10.30 am.
Lord Browne joined the meeting at 10.47 am.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 11.24 am.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.42 am.
5. Briefing from Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland
The following representatives from Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland joined the meeting:
Ms Sue Christie (Northern Ireland Environment Link)
Mr Lawrence McBride (Trocaire)
Mr Gary McFarlane (Chartered Institute of Public Health)
The representatives briefed the Committee on Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Shannon left the meeting at 12.20 pm.
Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting at 12.24 pm.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to the Minister to ask what the Department are doing in relation to energy efficiency within its own area and also within the capital projects which it funds.
6. Briefing from Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
The following representatives from RNIB joined the meeting:
Mr Barry MacAulay (Senior Manager RNIB)
Mr David Bowen (Sports Development Manager RNIB)
The representatives briefed the committee on RNIB. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 12.28 pm.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12.30 pm.
Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting at 12.44 pm.
7. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be Thursday 26 June 2008 at 10.30 am in Cultra Manor, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.00 pm.