COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr David McClarty
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Patricia Casey (Bill Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Richard Clarke (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.05 a.m.
The Chairperson advised members that the meeting would be suspended at 10.35a.m. to allow members to attend the Remembrance service in the Senate Chamber.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 23 October were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Assembly Committee Annual Report:
The Chairperson advised members that the Clerk of the Central Committee Office had provided members with a copy of the draft input, relating to the Committee for the Environment, to the Assembly Commission Annual Report for consideration.
Agreed: That members are content for the input to the report to be issued.
Utility Regulator Consultation on Sustainable Development:
The Chairperson advised members that the Clerk for the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment had written to the Committee thanking it for its response on the Utility Regulator consultation on sustainable development.
Agreed: That members are content for a copy of the Committee’s response to be published on the Utility Regulator’s website and for reference of the Committee’s response to be made in an analysis of the responses to the consultation.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 10.08a.m.
Research Paper – Regulation of Access to the Countryside in GB and Europe:
The Chairperson advised members that a copy of the research paper ‘Regulation of access to the countryside in GB and Europe’ had been included in their meeting papers.
Agreed: That a copy of the Research paper is forwarded to Ronnie Carser, Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs, the DOE and DFP.
Consideration of European Issues:
The Chairperson advised members that on 23 October 2008 the Committee received a letter from OFMDFM Committee asking it to consider providing evidence for their inquiry into the role of the NI Assembly in relation to European Issues.
Agreed: That a copy of the Committee response is forwarded to the OFMDFM Committee.
Ministerial Briefing:
The Chairperson advised members that Committee staff have written to the Department inviting the Minister to a future Committee meeting to discuss PPS 14, RPA and the ASSI designation process as agreed at the meeting on 23 October.
The Chairperson advised members that several FOI requests had been made for information from previous Committee meetings.
4. Clause by clause consideration of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Mr Clarke and Mr Beggs declared an interest.
Patricia Casey, Bill Clerk, briefed the Committee on the procedural aspects of scrutinising the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.18a.m.
The meeting was suspended at 10.35a.m.
The meeting resumed at 11.28a.m. with the following members present: Mr McGlone, Mr Ross, Mr Weir, Mr Clarke, Mr Ford, Mr Beggs, Mr McClarty.
DOE officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions as the Committee began its clause by clause consideration of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 11.35a.m.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 11.46a.m.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.16p.m.
Agreed: That DOE forward a paper on exemptions to the Committee.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.24p.m.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 12.30p.m.
Agreed: That the DOE forward a list of bodies that provide training for the Certificate of Professional Competence.
Agreed: That the DOE further consider Clause 4 and further brief the Committee at its next meeting.
Agreed: That the DOE provide details of its consultation on the options for operator licensing (i.e. appointment of an independent Traffic Commissioner for NI)
Agreed: That Bill Team provide paper on exemptions for consideration.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.45p.m.
5. Proposal for Secondary Legislation
DOE officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the SL1 – The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee are informed as soon as possible of any possible infractions proceedings.
Agreed: That the DOE provide the Committee with a record of the deliberations with the EU Commission, DEFRA and Planning and Environmental Policy Group on this issue.
Agreed: That the Committee considered The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and had no objection to the proposal.
6. Statutory Rules
SR 2008/407 – Game Preservation (Special Protection for Irish Hares) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Game Preservation (Special Protection for Irish Hares) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2008/415 – The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
7. Correspondence
The Chairperson informed members that, due to time constraints, it would not be possible to deal with the items of correspondence at today’s meeting.
Agreed: That the Chairperson was granted authority to deal with the correspondence.
8. Any other business
The Chairperson informed members that the Committee would need to hold an additional meeting to deal with clause by clause consideration of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Agreed: That a meeting is held on the morning of Tuesday 11 November.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next full meeting will be held on Thursday, 13 November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30 p.m.