COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Apologies:
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
In attendance:
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Ms Emma Patton (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher Baird (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.35 a.m.
1. Apologies
The apologies are noted above.
2. Draft minutes of 11 March 2010
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2010 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
The Committee noted the response from the Minister in relation to additional funding for Irish Language and Ulster-Scots broadcasting.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister to the Committee for Employment and Learning regarding automated communications systems.
The Committee noted the holding response from Mr Eamon Ryan T.D, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
4. Correspondence
The Committee noted the letter from the Irish Football Association in relation to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s consultation on ‘listed events’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to advise the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that it may respond to the consultation after considering the issue further.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information on this issue and to return to it at its meeting on 15 April 2010.
Ms McIlveen joined the meeting at 10.45 a.m.
The Committee noted the memo from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to support for carers.
Mr McNarry declared an interest as a member of the Committee for Finance and
Personnel.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to support the establishment of an ad hoc Committee in the Assembly to undertake a review of support for carers.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 11.00 a.m.
The Committee noted that a copy of Carson McDowell’s procurement update, and a copy of Advice NI’s annual report for 2009 and its quarterly new sheet, had been received in the Committee office.
The Committee noted the receipt of the Department’s Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the Accounts at its meeting on 15 April 2010.
5. Inquiry into participation in sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland
Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue the draft press release to publicise the evidence sessions with the three governing bodies.
The Committee noted the written submissions from the Public Health Agency, the Department for Employment and Learning, and the Department of Education.
The Committee noted the written submission from the Irish Football Association.
The following representatives from the Irish Football Association joined the meeting:
Mr Michael Boyd, Head of Community Relations
Mr Colin Coats, NI International & Captain of Crusaders FC
The representatives briefed the Committee.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed : The representatives agreed to forward further information on a number of issues.
6. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee was advised that The Red Bull Formula 1 car will be launched at Stormont Estate on the morning of Saturday 20 March 2010.
The Committee was advised that the Chairperson will be opening the Northern Ireland Theatre Association’s first annual conference at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday 24 March 2010.
The Committee was advised that Chloe Coyle from Castlederg won RTE’s All Ireland Talent Show.
7.Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
Members were advised that a video conferencing session on the inquiry is scheduled with representatives from the Republic of Ireland and Finland on Tuesday 23 March 2010 at Stormont Castle.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the session would be covered by Hansard.
Members were advised that a video conference session on the inquiry will be scheduled with representatives from Scotland after Easter recess .
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the session would be covered by Hansard.
Members were advised that a stakeholder conference to gather evidence for the inquiry will take place on Thursday 25 March 2010 in the Long Gallery at 10.30 a.m.
8. Inquiry into participation in sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland
The Committee noted the written submission from the Ulster GAA.
The following representatives from Ulster GAA joined the meeting:
Mr Danny Murphy, Provincial Director
Dr Eugene Young, Director of Coaching and Games Development
Ms Aileen Tohill, Health and Wellbeing Manager
Ryan Feeney, Head of Community Development
The representatives briefed the Committee.
Ms McIlveen left the meeting at 12.00 p.m.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.25 p.m.
The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 12.55 p.m., with Lord Browne, Mr McCartney, Mr McCarthy and Mr McNarry present.
The Committee noted the tabled written submission from Ulster Rugby.
The following representatives from Ulster Rugby joined the meeting:
Mr Shane Logan, Chief Executive
Mr David Boyd, Ulster Branch Domestic Rugby Manager
Mr David Humphreys, Operations Director
The representatives briefed the Committee.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
9. Grand Opera House cost overrun
The Committee noted the paper from DCAL on the cost overrun.
The following officials from DCAL joined the meeting:
Mr Edgar Jardine, Deputy Secretary – DCAL
Mr Arthur Scott, Director of Culture Division – DCAL
Ms Lorraine McDowell, Director of Operations – Arts Council
The officials briefed the Committee.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr McNarry left the meeting at 2.05 p.m.
Agreed : The officials agreed to forward further information to the Committee.
10. Any other business
None.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.15 p.m.