COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
In attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Chris Baird (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.34 a.m.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Draft Minutes of 17 September 2009
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2009 were agreed.
10.35 a.m. Mr Robinson joined the meeting.
3 . Matters Arising
The Committee noted a copy of a response that was sent by the Minister to Salto Gymnastics.
The Committee noted afollow-up letter from UTV regarding the meeting of 16 September 2009.
4. Consideration of Statutory Rules on safety at sports grounds
The Committee noted a covering letter regarding The Safety of Sports Grounds (2006) (Commencement) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
Agreed: The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure considered the Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the rule.
Agreed: The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure considered The Safety of Sports Grounds (Fees and Appeals) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that its decision should be relayed to the Business Office by the Clerk.
5. Presentation from officials from other legislatures on indigenous language issues
The Committee heard evidence from officials from three other legislatures and each session was followed by a question and answer session. The officials agreed to forward to the Committee information as requested. In attendance were:
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Welsh Assembly Government
In attendance:Huw Onllwyn Jones (Head of Welsh Language Unit and Media Policy Unit)
11.03 a.m. Mr D Bradley joined the meeting.
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Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
In attendance: Joe Hamill (Assistant Secretary)
Deaglán Ó Briain (Principal)
12.04 p.m. Mr Clarke left the meeting.
12.11 p.m. Mr PJ Bradley left the meeting.
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The Scottish Government
In attendance: Michael Napier (Policy Officer – Culture, External Affairs and Tourism Directorate)
Douglas Ansdell – (Head of the Gaelic and Scots Unit)
12.35 p.m. Mr Brolly left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to have further discussions onindigenous language issues at its meeting on 08 October 2009.
6. Correspondence
The Committee notedcorrespondence from the Finance & Personnel Committee on the Efficiency Delivery Plan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to ask what impact recent media reports regarding spending cuts will have on the DCAL budget, departmental priorities and efficiency delivery targets.
7. Chairperson’s Business
12.57 p.m. Mr. McCartney left the meeting.
The Committee noted an invitation to a poetry reading to celebrate Poetry Ireland’s All Ireland Poetry Day on 01 October 2009.
The Committee noted an invitation to the launch of on-line street directories on the PRONI websiteon29 September 2009.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that any members wishing to attend either event should contact the Committee office.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that he attended the Brian Kennedy concert in the Ulster Hall on 21 September 2009 to mark the UN Day of Peace.
12.58 p.m. Mr. McCartney re-joined the meeting.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the evidence session with National Museums NI and NIPSA on 01 October 2009 on the museums opening hours issue should be covered by Hansard.
9. Any other business
Mr. McCarthy tabled correspondence from the Society of Genealogists regarding the temporary closure of PRONI.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to consider this correspondence at its meeting on 01 October 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to express its support for the Place Name Project and to ask it to suggest that the Department reconsider its position on the project’s funding.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold an informal meeting with representatives from the Place Name Project.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to sponsor a lunch for the witnesses from Scotland and Wales who attended today’s evidence session.
10. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Thursday 01 October 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.02 p.m.