COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, BALLYMISCAW, STORMONT
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr William Humphrey MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Apologies:
Lord Browne MLA
In attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Clerk)
Miss Emma Patton (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Chris Baird (Clerical Officer)
Mr Ryan Molloy (Assembly Research Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.32a.m.
1. Apologies
The apologies are noted above.
2. Draft Minutes of 04 November 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the Committee meeting of 04 November 2010.
3. Matters Arising
The Committee noted the response from DCAL regarding the Companies Inspection of the NI Events Company.
The Committee noted the response from the Department in relation to the Annual Reports and Accounts of the North/South Language Body.
Mr Humphrey declared an interest as board member of the Ulster Scots Agency and the NI Audit Office.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the PAC Committee to highlight the delays in relation to the publication of the Annual Reports and Accounts of the North/South Language Body.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to request further clarification on this issue and for notification, in due course, of the revised simplified consolidation process for clearing future accounts.
The Committee noted the response from DRD regarding changes to cycle racing legislation.
The Committee noted the response from DRD regarding the delay in the introduction of the cycle to work scheme.
The Committee considered the DFP response in relation to the Northern Ireland Civil Service Art Management Collection.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DFP to request data on artworks that have been misplaced or not returned by borrowers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the DFP response to the Assembly Commission for information.
The Committee noted the DFP briefing paper regarding the outcome of the UK Spending Review Budget 2011–15.
The Committee noted the DoE response to the Irish Trout Fishing Association’s concerns regarding the water quality in Lough Erne.
The meeting was suspended at 10.44am.
The meeting re-convened at 11.19am.
The Committee considered responses from DSD, Dept of Education and OFMdFM regarding funding for Special Olympics Ulster.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister on this issue.
Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting at 11.22am.
4. Briefing from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure – Minority Language Strategy
The Committee noted the following documentation;
A memo from the Committee Clerk
Speaking notes of Vesna Crnić-Grotić Vice-Chair of the Committee of Experts
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission letter of 17 August 2010
The DCAL response regarding the Irish Language Act
The Hansard from 01 July 2010 meeting with the Minister regarding a regional or minority language strategy
DCAL briefing paper
The following officials joined the meeting:
Arthur Scott – Director of Culture – DCAL
Kevin Hamill –Language Branch – DCAL
The officials made an opening statement.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr Humphrey declared an interest as a member of the Ulster Scots Community Network.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department in relation to its strategy for the protection and promotion of ethnic minority languages and sign languages.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting copies of correspondence to the Education Minister and relevant Departmental briefings papers on the development of a regional or minority language strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letter from the Council of Europe to Assembly Legal Services and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
5. Briefing from Construction Employers Federation - Impact of CSR Budget 2010
The Committee noted the briefing paper from the Construction Employers Federation.
The following officials joined the meeting:
John Armstrong - Managing Director - CEF
Ciarán Fox - Federation Manager - CEF
The officials made an opening statement.
Mr Leonard left the meeting at 12.15pm.
Mr Leonard rejoined the meeting at 12.17pm.
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 12.25pm
Mr Humphrey rejoined the meeting at 12.37pm.
A question and answer session followed.
6. Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill clauses 36 to 55 and Schedule 3
The Committee noted the memo from the Committee Clerk.
The Committee noted the Justice Bill and Explanatory Memorandum.
The Committee noted the Hansard from 22 October 2009 on Sports Law & Spectator Safety.
The Committee noted the tabled response from the Council of Europe in relation to the non-introduction of the Irish Language Act.
The Committee noted the Assembly Research paper.
The Committee considered the Justice Committee memo regarding the Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill.
The Committee noted the table of clauses.
The Clerk spoke to the memo.
The Committee was briefed by the Assembly Research Officer, Ryan Molloy on the Justice Bill.
A question and answer session followed.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.37pm.
Mr Burns joined the meeting at 12.40pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Justice Committee requesting an extension to submit written evidence on the Bill and other related issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite officials from DOJ and DCAL to brief the Committee on the Bill at its meeting scheduled for 2 December 2010.
7. Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the OFMdFM Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.
Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 12.47pm.
8. Chairperson’s Business
The Committee was advised that the Chairperson attended the preview of the BBC’s ‘House on the Hill’ in the Long Gallery on Monday night.
The Committee was advised that on Tuesday the Chairperson took part in a photo shoot organised by Craft NI who are going on an exchange visit to Finland to gather information on professional practice there and to use that for the benefit and promotion of the local craft sector.
The Committee was advised that the Chair will attend Bolton versus Cliftonville at Solitude on Monday 15 November to mark the opening of their new 3G pitch.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted a letter from DCAL regarding Northern Ireland Civil Service Live.
The Committee noted a memo from the Committee for Social Development on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.
The Committee considered correspondence from OFMdFM in relation to the Draft Play & Leisure Implementation Plan.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department and Sport NI to request that the Committee’s recommendations from the Inquiry into Sport and Physical Activity are incorporated into the plan.
The Committee noted the OFMdFM letter regarding the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill.
The Committee noted that the Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Records 2009/10 (PRONI) had arrived in the Committee office.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to write to the Department to enquire when the new PRONI premises will open.
The Committee noted a tabled letter from Mr. Anthony Russell from the Newry and Mourne Museum in relation to the National Famine Commemoration.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to return to this issue at next week’s meeting.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the tabled forward work programme.
The Committee was advised that NI Screen has invited Members to visit the filming of the Game of Thrones on the afternoon of Thursday 2 December or Friday 3 December 2010.
11. Any other business
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister about the Department’s proposed review into arms length bodies.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request the transcript from Good Morning Ulster’s broadcast from 11 November on the proposed cuts to sporting events.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DETI to request details on the proposed cuts to tourism events.
12. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 18 November 2010 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.00pm.
Mr Barry McElduff
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
18 November 2010
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