PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
THURSDAY 9 DECEMBER 1999 AT 2.30 p.m.
IN ROOM 152 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP MLA (Chairman)
Mr G Savage MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr. B Armstrong MLA
Mr B Douglas MLA
Mr D Ford MLA
Mr D Haughey MLA
Mr G Kane MLA
Mr G McHugh MLA
Mr F Molloy MLA
Mr I Paisley Jnr. MLA
In attendance:Mr M Wilson
Mr P Moore
Mr S Cowan
Item 1 - Introductions and Apologies
Dr Paisley made a short opening statement in which he emphasised the importance of the Committee's work, alongside that of the Department, for the benefit of the agriculture industry and the wider rural community. A formal apology was received from Mr P J Bradley.
Item 2 - Registration of Interests
The Clerk reminded members of the importance of registering interests relevant to their position on the Committee (and during specific business). The following interests were declared:
Mr Molloy
2. Remunerated employment, Office, Profession Etc.
Member of Dungannon District Council
6. Overseas Visits
Belgium in November 1998, Political Education, paid for by the Transition Programme.
8. Land and Property
Shop (Retail) Leasehold Rented at Killyman Street, Moy, Co. Tyrone. (Half share- Spouse.)
Derelict Shop (being renovated). Killyman Street, Moy, Co. Tyrone. (Half share - Spouse.)
11. Unremunerated Interests
Director of South Tyrone Area Partnership Board - council rep.
Mr Ford
8. Land and Property
Spouse shares an interest in a family farm at Tardree, Co. Antrim. Farm is adjacent to land owned by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Item 3 - Privilege, Sub-judice and Confidentiality
The Clerk outlined members' responsibilities in these areas.
Item 4 - Consideration of the Briefing Material and Members Questions
Agreed: That the Terms of Reference for the Committee would be as follows:
"To advise and assist the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the development of policy with respect to matters within his/her responsibilities. The Committee will have a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and will have a role in the initiation of legislation. The Committee will:
- consider and advise on departmental budgets and annual plans in the context of the overall budget allocations;
- approve relevant secondary legislation and take the Committee stage of relevant primary legislation;
- call for persons and papers;
- initiate inquiries and make reports;
- consider and advise on matters brought to the Committee by its Minister"
Agreed: That members wished to be kept abreast of press articles/releases by way of a weekly 'digest' which would be made available to them by the Clerk on the day of a meeting.
Item 5 - Programming of Meetings with the Department and Other Organisations
Agreed: That meetings would be held in Room 135 on Friday mornings with the option of carrying on into the afternoons. The Clerk indicated that the Senate Chamber was to be equipped for sound in order to make it available for high profile Committee proceedings.
Agreed: That members should write to the Clerk if they wished to table motions or papers for discussion at a subsequent meeting but that it was not for the Committee to become involved in normal constituency business.
Item 6 - Matters to be raised with the Minister and Department
Dr Paisley outlined the matters covered during the meeting held with the Minister on 3 December and subsequent correspondence.
Agreed: That the Committee accepts the Minister's offer to send memoranda on 4 policy issues and that officials should meet with the Committee on Friday 17 December 1999 to discuss these issues.
Item 7 - Consideration of the Committee's role in legislation
The Clerk outlined the Committee's role and responsibilities regarding Primary and Secondary Legislation.
The Clerk then detailed the 4 Statutory Rules that the Department had advised would require urgent consideration by the Committee. Of these, the proposed Statutory Rule "The Beef Bones (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999" had been submitted to the Committee as part of a consultation process required by the enabling legislation.
Agreed: That the Committee would respond to the Department's consultation as follows:
"The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has noted the draft Regulations and, without prejudice to its statutory duty to consider the Regulations when laid before the Assembly, welcomes the move to lift the retail ban on bone-in-beef as long overdue."
Agreed: That the Clerk should obtain copies of the 3 remaining draft Regulations and background papers for consideration and discussion at the meeting on 17 December.
Agreed: That the Committee, under Standing Order 40(1) (b), would delegate to the Examiner of Statutory Rules its functions under Standing Order 40(3), (4) and (5) to the full extent permitted by the Standing Order. This would include a requirement to make a report to the Assembly as the Committee itself may make under Standing Order 40 (4). The Examiner is to be required to copy the report to the Committee at the same time as the report goes to the Assembly. The Committee reserves the right to review this delegated authority at any time in the future.
Item 8 - Chairman's Business/Correspondence
Dr Paisley raised the issue of the statement earlier in the week from Agriculture Secretary Nick Brown.
Agreed: That an explanation of the statement's ramifications for Northern Ireland be sought urgently from the Department and that consideration be given to a Committee press release on the subject.
Dr Paisley reminded members that he had invited Commissioner Fischler and Nick Brown to Northern Ireland to meet the members.
Dr Paisley then explained the invitation to 6 organisations to discuss the issue of debt.
Agreed: That the Committee should meet with the 6 delegations on 10 December, after which they would consider whether a full Inquiry was necessary and if so agree terms of reference for it.
Dr Paisley advised that Mr Bradley wished to table a motion on livestock tagging. The Chairman said that he had obtained information from the Department on this matter.
Agreed: That the motion could be tabled at the 17 December meeting.
Dr Paisley advised members that the NI Affairs Committee was to take evidence from the Ulster Farmer's Union on the morning of Wednesday 15 December in Castle Buildings.
Item 9 - Any Other Business
Mr Haughey advised that the NI Structural Funds Plan had been forwarded to Brussels by the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Agreed: That copies of both the Objective 1 Transitional and Peace Programmes be obtained for members' consideration.
Messrs Haughey and Ford offered the Chairman their good wishes in his term of office. Dr Paisley thanked them and adjourned the meeting.
Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP MLA