§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 6 November (WA119–21) concerning the appointment of a chief executive to the Irish Language Agency, where the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council of 27 November 2001 was held; who attended; and what else was discussed. [HL62]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The date supplied, 27 November, was incorrect due to typographical error. The NSMC meeting was actually held on 23 November 2001 in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, The meeting dealt primarily with issues relating to Waterways Ireland. In addition the NSMC agreed in principle that the recommended candidate was acceptable for appointment as chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge. A list of those who attended the meeting is set out below:
Irish Government Delegation
- Ms Mary Coughlan, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
- Mr Philip Furlong (Secretary General)
- Mr Sean Ó Cofaigh (Assistant Secretary)
- Mr Joe Hamill (Policy Advisor)
- Mr Michael Conroy (Principal Officer)
- Mr Peter Redmond (Assistant Principal Officer)
Northern Ireland Administration Delegation
- Mr Michael McGimpsey, MLA, Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure
- Dr Sean Farren, MLA Minister for Employment and Learning
- Dr Aideen McGinley (Permanent Secretary)
- Mr Nigel Carson (Assistant Secretary)
- Mr Alec Foye (Deputy Principal)
- Ms Julie Childs (Private Secretary to Minister McGimpsey)
- Mr Brian Patterson (Private Secretary to Minister Farren)
Waterways Ireland
- Mr John Martin
- Mr Martin Denanny
- Mr Joe Gillespie
- Mr Brian McTeggart
Joint Secretariat
- Tim O'Connor
WA 48 - Dick Mackenzie
- Helen Brown
- Conor O'Malley
- Kevin Lyons