Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2007 > Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, 2006 and Work Programme 2007

APPENDIX 5

Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 18 January, 2006, at 2.00 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Dinny McGinley, Brian O’Shea and Jack Wall. Senators Frank Feighan, Joe McHugh, Labhrás Ó Murchú and Kieran Phelan.

Deputy Jimmy Devins, Senator Michael Kitt, Senator Paul Coghlan, Senator Camillus Glynn and Senator Geraldine Feeney also attended.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chair welcomed the representatives from “Breaking Through” who are a support network for youth work practitioners: Paul Flynn, Vice Chairman, James O’Leary, PRO and Marie Halligan, Administrator.

4.Paul Flynn gave an outline of the work of “Breaking Through” to which 42 organisations are attached and which has a membership of some 300. Their administrative budget funding runs out in November next and they are anxious that it be renewed.

5.Senators Feighan, McHugh and Ó Murchú contributed as did the Chair, Senator Kitt and Deputy Deenihan.

6.In conclusion the Chair indicated that the transcript of the proceedings would be forwarded to the Minister with a letter supporting Breaking Through and their work. The meeting then concluded.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney

Chairman

January 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 1 February, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Brian O’Shea, Jack Wall and Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.

Minister of State, Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D., also attended.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chair welcomed the delegation from Dáil na nÓg who were accompanied by Mr. Brian Lenihan T.D., Minister for Children, Anne O’Donnell from the Office of the Minister for Children and by Olivia McEvoy from the National Youth Council.

4.In welcoming the young delegation the Chair noted that the Joint Committee and Dáil na nÓg 2005 shared some mutual concerns such as drugs abuse and alcohol misuse. She explained that the Joint Committee would be reporting on both those topics this year and had also published work in these areas.

5.The delegation gave a short concise and very relevant presentation which concentrated on alcohol and drug misuse and facilities for young people. They requested that there should be stricter penalties for serving of alcohol to young people (e.g a régime as tough as the smoking ban) and that there be more alcohol free facilities for young people alongside sports facilities e.g. youth cafés, drama, music venues and other community facilities. There should be compulsory education on the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs both for students and their parents.

6.The presentation which also stressed the need for community facilities available on an informal basis for young people was enthusiastically received by the Joint Committee and the Chair and Senator Ó Murchú both expressed a wish to engage with and accommodate Dáil na nÓg outside the formal confines of the Joint Committee structure. The Joint Committee noted the views on alcohol and drugs abuse and recognised the need for sports facilities outside the confines of competitive sport. Deputy Deenihan spoke of the need for “hang out” centres and Deputies O’Shea and Wall acknowledged the view that young people have a very negative attitude to An Garda Síochána, especially with the older members thereof.

7.The Chair reiterated the work of the Joint Committee in the coming year which was closely related to the main concerns of Dáil na nÓg and she asked that they forward copies of relevant submissions etc. The Minister promised to revert to the Joint Committee on another day to deal with some of the issues raised from his perspective.

8.Having thanked all concerned the Chair then closed the meeting.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

February 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 15 February, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea, Jack Wall and Senators Brendan Daly, Labhrás Ó Murchú and Kieran Phelan.

Apologies were received from Deputy Jim Glennon T.D.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chair welcomed the delegation from Women’s Aid namely, Margaret Martin, Director, along with Sinéad Harrison and Theresa Sweeney, who spoke on the role of Women’s Aid and more particularly on the role of alcohol in domestic violence. They maintained while there is a strong link between alcohol and domestic violence it is not a causal factor. Because of its disinhibitive effect alcohol can be used and accepted as an excuse for a violent man. Also women using Women’s Aid services often report that their partners have stopped abusing alcohol but have not stopped abusing them.

4.Women’s Aid also referred to the difficulties experienced by them in their work e.g. some 40% of calls to their helpline went unanswered due to lack of resources and 2 out of 5 women and their children who sought refuge could not be accommodated. They urgently require additional funding (at present 50% from the State).

5.The Members expressed concern at the difficulties being experienced by Women’s Aid but also complimented them in their insightful presentation. The Members felt that they had been given detailed factual information on what is a largely hidden social problem.

6.The Chair then thanked the delegation and the Members who contributed and the meeting was then adjourned.

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Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

March 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 1 March, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

3.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Dinny McGinley, Brian O’Shea, Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan and Kieran Phelan.

Apologies were received from Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chair welcomed Dr. Conor Farren from St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin and Fr. Neal Carlin, Sharon McMullen and Tommy McCay, White Oaks Centre, Donegal who were before the Committee to speak on the subject of alcoholism.

4.Dr. Farren painted a grim picture stating that in 10 years we had gone from an average drinking society to being second worst in Europe. We are faced with an epidemic of binge drinking with the average age falling all the time. Reassuringly however he stated that alcoholism, which is a worldwide phenomenon, is very treatable with a significant success rate provided the treatment is holistic with appropriate after-care.

5.Fr. Carlin spoke of the work of the White Oaks Centre in Donegal where they boast of a residential complex as well as outpatient facilities. He empathised with many of the points made by Dr. Farren particularly the extent of alcoholism in their area. He suggested greater co-ordination between the treatment agencies and advocated the appointment of an ombudsman in the area.

6.The Chair, Deputies McGinley, Deenihan, Glennon (who expressed a particular interest in the subject), Deputy Breen and Deputy Kelly then contributed as did Senator Feighan.

7.The Chair then thanked all concerned and the meeting adjourned.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

March 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 14 March, 2006, at 2.00 p.m., in CR4, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Jim Glennon, Martin Brady and Brian O’Shea and Senators Brendan Daly, Frank Feighan and Kieran Phelan.

Deputies John McGuinness, Tony Dempsey, and Ned O’Keeffe and Senators Camillus Glynn and John Hanafin also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies Peter Kelly and Dinny McGinley.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.Mar thacaíocht do “Seachtain na Gaeilge d’fháilfigh an Cathaoirleach roimh Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh Uachtarán, agus Julian de Spáinn, Ard Rúnaí, Conradh na Gaeilge agus Ariel Killick agus Colleen Dollard ó iMeasc.

4.Rinne an dá eagraíocht cur i láthair maidir lena dtuairimí faoin nGaeilge sna Gárdaí Síochána agus faoin nGaeilge i gcoitinne.

5.Lean díospóireacht le ceisteanna agus cur i láthair ó na Comhaltaí.

6.Ghabh an Cathaoirleach buíochas leis na cuairteoirí agus leis na Comhaltaí ansin agus chuir sí deireadh leis na himeachtaí.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Cathaoirleach

Bealtaine 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 29 March, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea and Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan, Joe McHugh and Labhrás Ó Murchú.

Deputies Damien English and John Moloney and Senator Eddie Bohan also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputy G.V. Wright.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Acting Chairman welcomed delegations from the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, the Licensed Vintners Association, and the Vintners Federation of Ireland who were all speaking in the context of the Committee’s forthcoming Report on the “Inclusion of Alcohol in the National Drug Strategy”. The presentations by the publicans and by the Pioneers were predictably at variance with one another.

4.The Chairman took the Chair at 6.30 p.m.

5.A discussion followed with questions and contributions from the Members.

6.The Chairman then thanked witnesses and Members and the meeting adjourned.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

May 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 11 April, 2006, at 2.00 p.m., in CR1, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Martin Brady, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea and Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.

Deputy Charlie O’Connor, and Senators John Paul Phelan and Geraldine Feeney also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies James Breen, Jimmy Deenihan and Dinny McGinley.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chairman welcomed Dr. Jane Edwards, from the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick who was appearing in the context of the Joint Committee’s forthcoming Report on the Benefits of Music therapy. Dr. Edwards made a highly informative presentation outlining the uses and best practice for music therapy. There followed questions and contributions from the Chairman and other Members.

4.The Chairman then thanked Dr. Edwards and asked that she keep in touch with the Joint Committee in the context of the Report.

5.The meeting then adjourned.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

May 2006

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 24 May, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Dinny McGinley, Brian O’Shea, Senator Brendan Daly and Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chairman welcomed Mr John O’Donoghue T.D. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and his officials who made a presentation on their response to the JC’s Eighth Report “Ireland and the Olympics: From Athens to London”. The Minister intimated that he was accepting the key recommendation in the Report which states that “the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism establish and Chair a steering committee to co-ordinate and manage the 2012 Olympics roadmap”. The Chair and the Members very much appreciated that their efforts were being taken on board.

4.The Minister explained that some of the other recommendations were matters for the Sports Council but overall the main thrust of the Report was being taken on board. Various points were then put to the Minister who responded.

5.Having thanked all present the Chair then adjourned the meeting.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of a Private Meeting held on Tuesday, 20 June, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR3, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea, Senator Brendan Daly, Senator Frank Feighan, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú and Senator Kieran Phelan.

Deputy Damien English also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputy Dinny McGinley.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

3.The meeting then adjourned.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of a Private Meeting held on Wednesday, 13 September, 2006, at 2.30 p.m., in CR1, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea and Senator Kieran Phelan.

Senator Geraldine Feeney and Camillus Glynn also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies Jimmy Deenihan, Dinny McGinley, Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan, Joe McHugh and Labhrás Ó Murchú.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

3.The meeting then adjourned.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 27 September, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR4, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Martin Brady, James Breen, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea and Senator Frank Feighan and Labhras O Murchú.

Senator Paschal Mooney and Deputy Dan Boyle also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputies Dinny McGinley, G.V. Wright, and Senator Kieran Phelan.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Joint Committee met with Ms. Mary Davis, Chairperson of the Task Force on Active Citizenship who spoke on the work and work methods of the Task force. It was agreed that the Joint Committee has a track record in this area and had published the Report on “Volunteers and Volunteering in Ireland” after having consulted 21 voluntary organisations. The Members present welcomed the work of the Task Froce and expressed their full support for it.

4.In conclusion Ms. Davis invited the Members to contribute to the work of the Task Force through their individual submissions to the Task Force Secretariat. The Committee agreed to forward the proceedings of the meeting as a composite submission.

5.Having thanked Ms. Davis and the Members for their input the Chairman then adjourned the meeting.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 25 October, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Martin Brady, James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea, Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan, Joe McHugh and Kieran Phelan.

Deputy Michael Finneran also attended.

Apologies were received from Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.At the request of Deputy Deenihan the Joint Committee heard a presentation by Mr. Garret Mullan and his colleagues from Sport Against Racism in Ireland. The Chairman expressed the view that thuggery on and off the pitch was perhaps more of an issue than racism in Irish sport.

4.The delegation explained that their work was anticipatory with the hope of avoiding the onset of racism in sport in Ireland given the experience in other European jurisdictions where it is a major issue.

5.The organisation asked for support for an application they had made to Pobal for financial assistance. They could not continue their work on a part time ad hoc basis. The Joint Committee readily agreed to support the application in writing and congratulated the delegation on their pro-active work on a potentially serious issue.

6.Having thanked the delegation and the Members for their contribution the Chairman then adjourned the meeting.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 8 November, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Peter Kelly, Brian O’Shea, and Senators Frank Feighan, and Labhrás Ó Murchú..

Apologies were received from Deputy Jim Glennon and Senator Kieran Phelan.

In Private Session

2.Items discussed in private session.

In Public Session

3.The Chairman welcomed the witnesses from Special Olympics Ireland namely Mr. Peter O’Brien, Director of Support Services and Ms. Fiona O’Loughlin, Network Manager.

4.The witnesses made a presentation emphasising the funding challenges faced by Special Olympics Ireland in particular the fact that their trust fund on which they were highly dependent is now running out.

5.The Members fully supported the case for new funding and the Chairman with the agreement of the Joint Committee undertook to put the case to the relevant Members of the Government, the Ministers for Finance, Health and Children Education and Science, Arts, Sport and Tourism in the context of the upcoming Budget.

6.Having thanked the witnesses and the Members for their contributions, the Chairman then adjourned the meeting.

_____________________

Cecilia Keaveney T.D.

Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 22 November, 2006, at 4.15 p.m., in CR2, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Jim Glennon (in the Chair), James Breen, Michael Collins, Jimmy Deenihan, Peter Kelly, Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan and Kieran Phelan.

In Public Session

2.The Vice Chairman Deputy Jim Glennon took the Chair in the absence on business of the Chairperson, Deputy Cecilia Keaveney. Deputy Glennon welcomed the witnesses from Swim Ireland, formerly the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, who came to make a presentation on their activities with particular emphasis on the implementation of the Murphy Report on child sexual abuse in swimming.

3.The witnesses were Tony Farrell, Chairperson Sarah Keane, Chief Executive Officer and Kate Hills, National Childrens’ Officer.

4.Having heard the presentation the Members agreed to endorse and support the work done by Swim Ireland and to convey those sentiments to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the Minister for Children.

5.The Chairman then extended thanks to all and adjourned the meeting.

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Chairman

January 2007

Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 29 November, 2006, at 1 p.m., in CR4, LH 2000.

Attendance

1.Deputies Cecilia Keaveney (in the Chair), Paddy McHugh*, Jim Glennon, Peter Kelly, Dinny McGinley, Brian O’Shea and Jack Wall and Senators Frank Feighan, Labhrás Ó Murchú and Joe O’Toole.

*In substitution for James Breen.