Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if, pursuant to AQW 1109/00, he will confirm that he sent Christmas cards to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister of Education.

(AQW 1605/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The official Christmas card list for my Department includes all of my Ministerial colleagues in the Northern Ireland Assembly - the First and Deputy First Minister, the two Junior Ministers and the other Executive Ministers - and all members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.

As Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure I can confirm that official Christmas cards were sent according to the official list, without deletions.

(AQW 1695/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The review of PRONI’s Curatorial E and F grades completed in 1999 examined PRONI’s current and future staffing requirements at these levels and made recommendations on the numbers and grades required. PRONI’s senior management team is currently considering recommendations contained in this report and in a number of other organisational and efficiency reports covering fundamental aspects of the agency’s business and operations.

The outcome of PRONI’s deliberations will be incorporated into the Agency’s draft Corporate and Business Plans which will be presented to the Department for approval during March 2001.

The extent and speed of implementation will be subject to inter alia the availability of financial resources.

(AQW 1721/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Sports Council, which is responsible for the development of sport within the Province, provides exchequer funding to assist young people entering or remaining in outdoor sports such as mountaineering, canoeing, orienteering, sailing and caving. It also supports the training of instructors who are instrumental in the recruitment and retention of young participants. Courses specifically designed for young people are offered at Tollymore Mountain Centre on the introduction to, leadership, and instruction, in mountaineering and canoeing.

The Countryside Access and Activities Network is an initiative of the Sports Council and the Environment and Heritage Service, designed to develop and sustain a vibrant countryside recreation culture for all, and proposals for the New Opportunities Fund suggests a number of possibilities specifically for Outdoor Adventure activities.

In addition, there are 12 outdoor education centres run by the education and library boards or voluntary youth organisations.

(AQW 1722/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Most sports facilities, such as pitches, courts, athletic tracks and swimming pools are available to individuals of all ages and all levels of ability. Specialist services to talented individuals from all parts of the Province will, however, be provided through the Sports Institute for Northern Ireland, which is situated at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

(AQW 1734/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I have no plans to meet with Omagh District Council to discuss funding for the Ulster History Park as no meeting has been requested. However, should the Council wish to arrange a meeting, my Diary Secretary, Sarah Elwood, may be contacted on 028 9025 8893.

(AQW 1757/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The game of football in the Republic of Ireland is administered entirely separately from the game in Northern Ireland, with separate governing body and senior league arrangements recognised by the European and World bodies, UEFA and FIFA. My initiative, To Create a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland, is intended to tackle the problems facing the sport here, taking account of all levels of the game, from grass-roots to international level.

I am not aware of any suggestions that this initiative should be extended beyond Northern Ireland and I have no plans to examine the merits of establishing an All Ireland soccer strategy. However I do understand, that discussions are ongoing between the Irish Football League and Eircom League about a North/South knock-out competition at senior level.

(AQW 1759/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The scientific evidence is that Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle resulted from the use of feedingstuffs containing contaminated mammalian meat and bone meal (MMBM). The BSE Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 prohibits the sale, supply and use of any MMBM in the production of any feedingstuff for fish, and also prohibits the feeding to any fish any feedingstuff in which MMBM has been incorporated. I have not consulted the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on this matter as the legislation is already in place banning MMBM in fish feedingstuffs.

(AQW 1760/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The measures taken by each of my Department’s Statutory Bodies to monitor Internet usage by members of staff are as follows:

The Ulster-Scots Agency has only five full-time staff at this present time. General procedures for staff behaviour have not yet been written (adopted) formally. However staff are aware that general civil service principles from both sides of the border apply. All staff are aware that abuse of the Internet is not acceptable, and in particular the downloading of pornographic, extremist or other similar material is a most serious matter. They have no intentions, at this time of instituting any more formal monitoring process although this may well soon come within audit requirements.

At present no measures are in place to monitor Internet usage by members of staff. Foras Na Gaeilge is a relatively new organisation and have plans to look at organisational structures and procedures. These procedures will include internet usage.

Waterways Ireland is at an early stage of building up a staffing presence at its Headquarters in Enniskillen. Use of the Internet is being addressed as part of a project considering the overall IT needs of the Body for the medium to long term. Existing staff who have access to the Internet have been made aware of their personal responsibilities and line managers monitor its use. In addition, guidelines are being developed as part of an overall training programme for the Body.

Three members of the Board’s staff have Internet access. Access was provided in November 2000. Itemised accounts, detailing log-on time and date, duration and cost are monitored on a quarterly basis by the Board’s Support Manager. Any apparent anomalies or matters of concern are drawn to the attention of the Chief Executive for clarification and/or any appropriate action that may be necessary. The first such account has just been received.

The Sports Council have no measures in place to monitor Internet usage. They are investigating the purchase of necessary software and have made preparatory changes to their existing systems to facilitate internal monitoring through the implementation of new software.

MAGNI have approximately 120 computer users with Internet access. The majority have access through the NICS Government Server, which is managed by BDS. The Director of Personnel for MAGNI is currently developing a Policy on Internet Use for the whole of MAGNI to replace policies, procedures and instructions that exist on the component sites. Whilst there are differences of approach on each of the three main sites, Ulster Museum, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park, the Directors on each site may take whatever action is necessary, including investigation or discipline if abuse of access is suspected or proven. At present authorised access to the internet must be for business purposes only, time spent is maintained by scrutiny of telephone logs and each computer is protected by the most recent version of virus scanning software. Internet access via computers connected to networks is forbidden.

All Internet traffic to and from the site must pass through a firewall. This can be used to block traffic by type, by origin and by destination. Blocking is carried out to secure the site from external intrusion but might also be for policy reasons. Each event, when traffic is blocked, is logged and the log is reviewed most days.

All traffic passing to and from our network is continuously monitored by a dedicated computer system. This includes file transfers, web usage, access to remote computers and e-mail traffic.

All e-mail exchanges are routinely logged on our main server. The log includes the sender, recipient, time and date. The contents of e-mail messages are not normally accessed but the Observatory and Planetarium reserve the right to do so if abuse is suspected.

Additional network tools are in use to examine internal network traffic and to check for anomalous usage patterns.

Internet usage at the Armagh Observatory is monitored primarily to ensure efficient operation of the network and to maintain the network’s integrity against outside intrusion. The ability to track network use by staff is a by-product of efficient network management.

The Arts Council permits access to the Internet through a limited number of PCs. All staff have access to the Council’s internal (Intranet) site from their own PCs. All of the computers with full external Internet access have monitoring software installed on them. The software used is Stealth Activity Monitor (SAM). This software creates a log of the name of the user and all activity undertaken. These logs are monitored on a regular basis by the Council’s IT Officer. The Business Development Service (BDS), the Council’s Internet Service Provider also maintains a list of banned sites which cannot be accessed from any PC making use of their server to access the Internet.

Twelve months ago NIMC had an internal review on e-mail and Internet usage. Arising from that review, a detailed memoranda was prepared for all the staff which provided guidelines and procedures on the use of email and the world-wide web. Within NIMC, personal internet usage is not permitted.

NIMC is currently awaiting a quotation for the installation of software which will allow monitoring of individual staff members Internet usage.

(AQW 1761/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The approximate cost of putting the Act of Union Bicentenary exhibition on display in the Ulster Museum for three months will be £120,000. The exhibition will feature original documents and artefacts from archives, museums and libraries from various parts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. These items must be displayed in secure and environmentally controlled surroundings.

The figure includes the cost of producing a travelling version of the exhibition that will go on show at a number of venues around Northern Ireland, at the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Dublin, and at the Palace of Westminster, London.

It should be noted that the exhibition cases are assets that my Department will be able to re-use for display purposes on other occasions.

(AQW 1775/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Given the limited number of places available at the conference workshop held from 10-12 February 2001, none of the four divisional football associations of which the Fermanagh & Western Football Association is one, was directly asked to nominate delegates. Instead, twelve nominations (to cover club and governing body administrators and coaching) were sought from the IFA, including two from intermediate football, two from junior football and two people involved in coaching. I understand that none of the nominations put forward included people from the Fermanagh and Western area. There were, therefore, no participants from that Association.

(AQW 1776/00)

Mr McGimpsey: A series of eight focus groups was conducted across Northern Ireland with supporters, managers and coaches, and not with officials from any administrative body. There was, therefore, no direct involvement by the Fermanagh & Western Football Association. One of the focus groups for junior managers and coaches, however, took place in Enniskillen, which is within the Fermanagh & Western jurisdiction.

(AQW 1777/00)

Mr McGimpsey: None of the four divisional football associations was directly involved in the key informant interviews.

(AQW 1778/00)

Mr McGimpsey: 37 clubs in the Fermanagh & Western area were invited to respond to the postal survey. These were as follows:

Ardstraw
Augher Stars
Ballinamallard United
Ballinamallard United III
Ballygawley
Barrowfield
Beragh Swifts
Camus Swifts
Churchtown
Clabby Strollers
Dergview
Derrychara United
Dunbreen Rovers
Ederney
Enniskillen Ladies
Enniskillen Rangers
Enniskillen Swifts
Enniskillen Town United
Fintona Swifts
Fivemiletown United
Glebe United
Irvinestown Wanderers
Kevlin United
Killen Rangers
Killymore Rovers
Lisbellaw United
Lisnarick
Lisnaskea Rovers
Magees
Maguiresbridge
Mountjoy United
NFC Kesh
Omagh Hospitals
Shelbourne
Sixmilecross Bohemians
Sperrin Athletic
Tummery Athletic

Two players from every team entered for the Irish Junior and Youth Cups, and two players from every intermediate and women’s club, were invited to respond to the postal survey. In accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, respondents’ anonymity must be strictly preserved, and it would therefore be in breach of the confidentiality assured to respondents by PwC, to give details of individual players. In total, however, 70 players were surveyed from the following clubs in the Fermanagh and Western Association:

Augher Stars (2 players)
Ballinamallard United (2 players + 2 youth players)
Barrowfield (2 players)
Beragh Swifts (2 players)
Dergview (2 players + 2 youth players)
Dunbreen Rovers (2 players)
Ederney (2 players)
Enniskillen Ladies (2 players)
Enniskillen Rangers (2 players + 2 youth players)
Enniskillen Swifts (2 players)
Enniskillen Town United (2 players + 2 youth players)
Fintona Swifts (2 players)
Fivemiletown United (2 players + 2 youth players)
Irvinestown Wanderers (2 players + 2 youth players)
Kevlin United (2 players)
Killen Rangers (2 players)
Killymore Rovers (2 players)
Lisbellaw United (2 players + 2 youth players)
Lisnarick (2 players)
Lisnaskea Rovers (2 players + 2 youth players)
Maguiresbridge (2 players)
NFC Kesh (2 players + 2 youth players)
Omagh Hospitals (2 players)
Shelbourne (2 players)
Sperrin Athletic (2 players)
Tummery Athletic (2 players).

(AQW 1779/00)

Mr McGimpsey: As part of the consultation exercise carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers a street survey was conducted with 750 members of the general public across Northern Ireland. The results of the survey are only available broken down by North, South, East and West. It is not possible to provide results based on the Fermanagh & Western jurisdiction.

(AQW 1805/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Northern Ireland has currently four synthetic tracks, including the soon to be opened eight-lane facility in Bangor. There are, however, plans to create a new track as part of the Sports Institute, Northern Ireland at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, although the exact specification of this facility has yet to be defined. There is also the possibility that a further track will be provided in the west of the Province in the near future.

My Department is also considering the feasibility of a national stadium for Northern Ireland and there may be potential for making provision for athletics should such a project proceed.

(AQW 1870/00)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department is currently investigating the potential for developing a viable and sustainable scheme for a national sports stadium for Northern Ireland. Although I have received several suggestions for the location of such a facility, no detailed consideration will be given to this issue until the need for a stadium has been determined. If such a scheme is to succeed it would require a high level of commitment from Football, Gaelic, Rugby and Athletics. The sports are currently considering their needs and the question of location and accessibility will be issues which will be important to them.

(AQO 812/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The North/South Ministerial Council on 5 December approved Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch corporate plan for 2001/2 to 2003/4. Tha Boord circulated the plan on 2 January 2001 for a period of consultation which ends 28 February 2001.

My Department commissioned research to help the Ulster-Scots Language Society develop their strategic planning capability. The report which has recently been received outlines a three-year strategy for promoting awareness, understanding and respect for the Ulster-Scots language as a central and integral part of the Ulster-Scots identity and to support its use and development.

I understand that Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch and the Ulster-Scots Language Society will work closely on implementing their respective plans.

(AQO 819/00)

Mr McGimpsey: In November 2000 my Department initiated a pilot programme administered by ADAPT Northern Ireland (Access for Disabled People to Arts Premises Today) to carry out a comprehensive audit of an initial 40 venues and buildings in the culture, arts and leisure sectors. The pilot programme runs to March 2001 and comprises:

• access appraisals carried out in buildings chiefly funded directly or indirectly by DCAL;
• assessment of training needs of staff in these buildings and the delivery of training on universal accessibility issues; and
• the establishment of a small grants scheme to provide incentives and lever funding for access improvements.

Decisions on the scale and format of future programmes will be informed by an evaluation of the pilot programme to be carried early in the new financial year.

(AQO 861/00)

Mr McGimpsey: This is an important Project which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the Executive priorities outlined in the Programme for Government, in particular Modernising Government, Investing in Education and Skills and Social Inclusion. The Project will create within Northern Ireland a modernised seamless public library service which will enhance access to information resources to all sections of the community, provide lifelong learning opportunities and help develop personal skills and increase employability, thus transforming the Public Library Service into very much more than a means of access to books.

(AQO 839/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The policy on the use of languages on traffic signs is a matter for the Minister for Regional Development. I believe the Minister advised Members of that policy on 5 February 2001.

(AQO 807/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the development of any sport lies with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and the Governing Body of the particular sport. I am very keen to support all types of sport within the province including motor sport. However, in an attempt to identify the future facility requirements of motor sport I recently asked the Sports Council to commission a consultant to assess the physical condition of the provinces 4 existing short circuits and to examine the need for, feasibility of, and the viability of providing a regional motorsports facility. The consultants have just completed their review of the short circuits and their report is currently being considered by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The feasibility report on the regional motorsport facility is due by 15 March 2001.

(AQO 822/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Funding of £1.3m stg will be available to Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch in 2001/2002. DCAL will provide £0·97m of this. Funding available to Foras na Gaeilge in the same period is £10·1m DCAL will provide £2·53m of this.

Under direct rule the funding for Ulster-Scots was £118,000.

Funding of £667,000 is available for Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch in 2000/2001. This is a five fold increase on the predevolution figure.

The funding of £1·3m stg for Tha Boord in 2001/2002 represents almost a tenfold increase since devolution.

The Ulster-Scots language and culture are at a different stage of development to Irish, Gaidhlig or Welsh for example.

(AQO 818/00)

Mr McGimpsey: I am familiar with the Cultural Tourism Initiative being progressed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and partners. We all recognise that the relationship between tourism and the cultural sector is highly complementary and mutually beneficial. My Department is committed to the early development of a marketing strategy to promote awareness of Northern Ireland’s rich cultural treasures. We will strive to ensure, within the context of cross-departmental working, that the full potential of our cultural life is realised in attracting visitors and enhancing their experience of Northern Ireland.

(AQO 833/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Belfast is one of a number of cities in the UK competing to be selected as the European Capital of Culture in 2008. Under the competition criteria set by the European Union, the cultural programme supporting any bid must relate to a conurbation with a distinct identity, which may involve its surrounding region. In keeping with this ruling a bid cannot, in principle, be submitted by a consortium of separate towns or cities. There is, therefore, a physical limit to the area within which events and performances included in any bid by Belfast can be held.

(AQO 867/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Responsibility for the development of any sport lies with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and the Governing Body of the particular sport. I am very keen to support all types of sport within the province including motor sport. However, in an attempt to identify the future facility requirements of motor sport I recently asked the Sports Council to commission a consultant to assess the physical condition of the provinces 4 existing short circuits and to examine the need for, feasibility of, and the viability of providing a regional motorsports facility. The consultants have just completed their review of the short circuits and their report is currently being considered by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The feasibility report on the regional motorsport facility is due by 15 March 2001.

On the specific issue of Motor Cycle Road Racing the Road Race Task Force have completed their review of the provinces road racing circuits and their report has been ratified by the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland at their Inter Centre Conference on 27 January. As a result of the recommendations contained in the report my officials are currently engaged in consultations with key players e.g. the Department of Regional Development and the various Public Utilities bodies, who would be involved in implementing some of the reports safety recommendations. I am satisfied that progress is being made on developing motorsport and in making the sport as safe as possible.

(AQO 860/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The Belfast Agreement commits the Government to:

"recognise the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic minority communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland."

My Department is at an early stage of policy development for ethnic minority languages and our current priority is to obtain broad baseline information on which to base our thinking. My Department has therefore taken part in the Interdepartmental Working Group on Promoting Social Inclusion which has considered language needs. We have also developed contacts with the Equality Commission and the Human Rights Commission with a view to identifying key issues.