COMMITTEE LOOKS FORWARD TO CHALLENGES AHEAD

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met today for the first occasion since restoration.

The Chairperson, Dr William McCrea MP, welcomed Committee members to their new roles and invited suggestions on how best the Committee should take forward its heavy workload over the coming months.

During his welcome, Dr McCrea said “ The farming, fishing and rural communities are facing many challenges to not only their incomes but to their whole way of life and it is vital that as much as possible is done by this Committee to help them address those challenges. We look forward to working with the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development so that together we can deliver a more efficient and effective service for the betterment of not just these communities but for all within Northern Ireland.”

Senior officials from the Department gave a briefing to the Committee on the major issues to be addressed forward and answered questions from the members.

The Committee will next meet on Tuesday 22 May 2007 at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Committee Membership:-
Dr William McCrea MP, Chairperson
Tom Elliott, Deputy Chairperson
P.J. Bradley
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke
William Irwin
Gerry McHugh
Francie Molloy
George Savage

Information about today’s meeting can be obtained from: -
Paddy Price
Information Office, Parliament Buildings
Tel: 028 9052 1137

Mr Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development,
Room 410,
Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521063.
Fax 028 90521939.
E-mail – committee.agriculture@ niassembly.gov.uk