Proceedings of the Environment Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Thursday, 7 September 2000
in room 144, Parliament Buildings.
1.Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Other matters outstanding at recess
4. Apology
5. Consultation Documents
6. Ulster Architectural Heritage Society
7. Inquiry into transport for children travelling to and from school
8. The Committee Programme of Work
9. Public Hire Taxi Drivers' Association
10. Proposed visit from Scottish Committee
11. Statutory Rule 232
12. Any Other Business
13. Date of Next Meeting
Present were: Rev. Dr W McCrea (Chairman)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson
In Attendance: Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie ( Executive Support)
Mr J Nulty ( Administrative Support)
Apologies: Mr T Benson
The meeting commenced at 10.16am.
1. Minutes of the last meeting.
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2000 were agreed.
top2. Matters arising.
(a) New TSN
The Department's response was noted.
(b) Historic Building Grant.
Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.20 am.
Mrs Carson joined the meeting at 10.21am.
Agreed: That further information be sought from the Department about the administration of the Grant and the projects which may fail if funding from the Environment and Heritage Service is not available.
Mr McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.29am.
Mr Murphy joined the meeting at 10.29am.
(c) Radioactive discharges and munitions dumps in the Irish Sea.
The Committee discussed the reply from the Minister.
Agreed: That the Clerk will write to the Department asking to be kept informed of the outcome of discussions with the Ministry of Defence.
That the Clerk will advise Moyle District Council to arrange a meeting with the Minister and will send the Council the details, provided by the Department, of the number of flares washed up on shores since 1993.
top3 Other matters outstanding at recess.
(a) Campaign Against Landfill at Mallusk (CALM)
The Committee discussed the reply from the Minister.
Agreed: That the Clerk will write to the Department urging that a public inquiry into the matter should be held.
(b) Climate Change
The Committee noted the response from the Department.
(c) McQuillan Skip Hire Case
The Committee noted the response from the Department.
Agreed: That the Clerk will write to Antrim Borough Council about the issue of consent under the Water Act (NI) 1972.
top4. At this point Mr Ford stated that Mr Bell, from Ladyhill and District Resident's Association, had apologised to him about the remarks made about him in the letter to the Committee and he had accepted the apology.
top5. Consultation documents.
The Committee discussed at what stage it should receive consultation papers from the Department and decided by majority vote (7 votes to 3) in favour of receiving them at drafting stage for initial scrutiny.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 10.57am.
top6. (a) At 10.57am the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, represented by Mr P Marlow, Mr M Patton, Ms R Harkin and Mr S Douglas, joined the meeting. They gave a presentation to the Committee and answered Members' questions.
The Chairman thanked them for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.29am.
(b) At 11.31am. the Historic Buildings Council, represented by Mrs P Wilson, Mr D Stelfox and Mrs F Jay-O'Boyle, gave a presentation to the Committee and answered Members' questions.
The Chairman thanked them for their presentation and they left the meeting at 12.19pm.
Mrs Carson left the meeting at 12.20pm.
top7. Inquiry into transport for children travelling to and from school.
Agreed: The revised terms of reference would be adopted.
A press notice announcing the Inquiry would be issued on 11 September .
The public notices announcing the Inquiry would be placed in the three main local papers on 11 September 2000.
8. The Committee programme of work.
The proposed programme of work for the period September - December 2000 was agreed.
Mr Watson left the meeting at 12.25am.
top9. Public Hire Taxi Drivers' Association.
Agreed: That a delegation from the association will meet the Committee. The Clerk will arrange.
top10. Proposed visit from Scottish Committee.
Agreed: That the Committee will meet the Local Government Committee of the Scottish Parliament. The Clerk will arrange the date and the agenda.
top11. Statutory Rule 232 - The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenals and Other Dangerous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
Agreed: That officials from the Department will be asked to brief the Committee and answer questions on the Statutory Rule.
top12. AOB
(a) Resourcing of Agri-Environmental Schemes.
Agreed: That the Department will be asked for its views on the letter received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
(b) Minister's Statement to the House on 11 September 2000 on the North-South Ministerial Council meeting on the environment held on 28 June 2000.
Agreed: The Clerk will endeavour to obtain an advanced copy of the statement for Members.
top13. Date of next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 14 September 2000 at 10.30am in room 144, Parliament Buildings.
topThe meeting closed at 12.37pm.
06 July 2000 / Menu / 14 September 2000