ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CALLS FOR ARTS AND HERITAGE SUPPORT

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will call on investors to recognise the role that arts and heritage can play in stimulating the local economy.

The message comes as the Committee is to hold a meeting, on 27 January, in the recently completed Mossley Mill Civic and Cultural development in Newtownabbey.

Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chairperson, Barry McElduff MLA said: “As a Committee we are aware that the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure is one of the hardest hit departments in the recently announced Executive’s Draft Budget for 2011-2015.

“However, we ask the Executive and the private sector not to ignore the great economic potential there is in heritage tourism, cultural activities and the arts. Statistics show that theatre attendances are up in London’s West End, despite the recession, as people give themselves a treat in these tough times.

“Many visitors from overseas come here in search of a real cultural experience and to explore our vast heritage and it is therefore important that the Executive supports the sector and the fantastic assets we have to offer.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

During the visit, the Committee will receive briefings from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on its consultation responses to the draft Museums Policy and European Union Engagement.

The new development at Mossley Mill includes a museum, theatre, angling fisheries and conference suite. The site will also to be incorporated into Three Mile Water Park which starts at Whiteabbey and ends at Carr’s Corner.

Committee Membership:

The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr. Barry McElduff MLA.
The Deputy Chairperson is Mr. Declan O’Loan MLA

The Committee has a further nine members:

Mr Thomas Burns MLA
The Lord Browne MLA
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr William Humphrey MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Pat Sheehan MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

The Clerk to the Committee is Lucia Wilson

Committee Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Room 344 Parliament Buildings
Stormont Estate, Ballymiscaw
Belfast BT4 3XX
Telephone: 028 90 521620
Fax: 028 90 521355
E Mail: committee.cal@niassembly.gov.uk

For media enquiries please contact:

Caroline Moore
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 02890 521806
Mobile: 07900053926
Email: caroline.moore@niassembly.gov.uk