COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
THE CAUSEWAY SUB-COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2002 AT 11.10AM IN
THE MARINE HOTEL, BALLYCASTLE

Present:
Mr P Doherty MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr J Wells

Apologies:
Mrs A Courtney
Mr D McClarty

In attendance:
Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)

In attendance for private session at 11.10am: Cllr. W Graham, Cllr. G Kane, Cllr. R McDonnell, Cllr. P McConaghy, Cllr. C McCambridge, Cllr. O McMullan, Cllr. H Harding, Cllr. S Blaney, Cllr. R McIlroy, Cllr. D McAllister, Cllr. G Hartin, Cllr. M Digney, Cllr. C Blaney, Cllr. M Malloy, Cllr. M Malloy, Mr R Lewis, Mr K McGarry, Ms F Campbell, Mr T Stuart and Mr P Mawdsley (Moyle District Council); Ms R Laird, Mr P Mullan, Mr D Stelfox, Ms K Blair and Mr J Baird (National Trust); Mr S Sweeney, Mr J Edmund, Mr J Stevenson, Ms J Wells and Mr P Kendrick (Seaport Investments Ltd); Mr G McConnell and Mr D Carson (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment) and Mr A Clarke and Mr M McCartan (Northern Ireland Tourist Board).

The sub-Committee agreed to open the meeting in private at 11.10am.

1. Future Development of the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre Site

1.1. The Chairperson outlined the background to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment's decision to facilitate discussions between interested parties.

1.2. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board were invited to clarify the Minister's position in regards to the future development of the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre site.

1.3. Moyle District Council, the National Trust and Seaport Investments Ltd were invited to outline their respective positions on the future development of the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre site.

1.4. There was a general discussion on the issues raised.

The sub-Committee agreed to suspend the meeting at 1.05pm for lunch.

The meeting resumed at 2.05pm.

1.5. The Chairperson proposed two alternative suggestions as a way forward. Moyle District Council asked for a recess to consider the proposals.

The sub-Committee agreed to suspend the meeting at 2.20pm.

The meeting resumed at 2.55pm.

1.6. A proposal put forward by Moyle District Council was considered.

Agreed - That the Causeway sub-Committee would issue a short press release and that no other press statement would be made by the parties present.

Agreed - That the sub-Committee would facilitate future discussions, if required.

2. Date of next meeting

2.1. The next meeting of the sub-Committee will take place as required.

The meeting closed at 3.42pm.

Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Chairperson