COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILIDINGS.
Present: Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
Francie Molloy
George Savage
In attendance: Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
The meeting opened at 1.35pm in Public Session.
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Apologies
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Minutes of last meeting
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Matters arising
- Correspondence Issued
- Correspondence received
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Presentation – NORTHERN IRELAND FISH PRODUCERS ORGANISATION LIMITED (NIFPO)
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Presentation – COMMUNITIES AGAINST LOUGH NEAGH INCINERATOR (CALNI)
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Presentation – BETTER REGULATIONS AND SIMPILFICATION REVIEW
As above.
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the last Committee meeting of 12 June 2008.
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use Inquiry evidence session of 22 May 2008.
The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 12 June 2008.
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 12 June 2008.
The Deputy Chairperson briefed the Committee on a request from the DARD on the Draft Marine Bill and it was agreed that the document would be forwarded to the Fishing Industry for comments.
The Deputy Chairperson acknowledged correspondence received from the Chairperson of the Social Development Committee on the Neighbourhood renewal programme. Members agreed to receive a presentation from the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development on the matter in the next session.
The Deputy Chairperson briefed the Committee on a request from the Kennel Club to present to Committee. It was agreed that they should attend.
Dick James, Alan Young, Brian Cunningham, Brian McDonald and Paul Forysthe, representatives from the NIFPO, joined the meeting at 1.40pm and presented to Committee on the management of Cockle and Mussels dredging in Belfast Lough. The representatives then answered questions from Members.
Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 1.40pm.
PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.45pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.06pm.
Tony Campbell, Ray Clarke, Gerry Duffy and James McAlister, representatives from CALNI, joined the meeting at 2.06pm and made a presentation to Committee on their objections to Rose Energy’s proposal to build a energy plant in Glenavy, Co. Antrim. The representatives then answered questions from Members.
Members agreed to forward a copy of the presentation to the Department.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 2.30pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 2.45pm.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 2.50pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 2.56pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.00pm
Paul Caskie, David Graham and Dr Brian Jack, Panel and Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.02pm and made a presentation DOE/DARD’s programme to reduce ‘red tape’ in the industry. The officials then answered questions from the Members.
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Presentation – WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
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SL1 – Rural Development (Financial Assistance) Regulations (NI) 2008
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SL1 – The Specified Animal Pathogens Order (NI) 2008
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SL1 – The Lough Agency Regulations (NI) 2008
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.05pm.
Allan Bresland left the meeting at 3.06pm.
Allan Bresland joined the meeting at 3.10pm.
Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 3.25pm.
George Savage left the meeting at 3.26pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.30pm.
Peter Scott and Brian Ervine, Department officials joined the meeting at 3.32pm and made a presentation to Committee on the Department’s role with respect to the Water Framework Directive. The officials then answered questions from the Members.
George Savage rejoined the meeting at 3.33pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.45pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.46pm.
Anne Dorbie and Gareth Evans, department officials joined the meeting at 3.50pm and made a presentation to Committee on proposed changes to the above legislation. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that it should progress to the next stage.
The officials left the meeting at 4.16pm.
Jackie Robinson (Mrs) and Christine Henderson, department officials joined the meeting at 4.26pm and made a presentation on the above legislation. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that it should progress to the next stage.
Derick Anderson, Barry Fox and Paul Moore, department officials joined the meeting at 4.20pm and made a presentation to Committee on the following Statutory Rules –
- Foyle Area (Licensing of Oyster Fishing) Regulations 2008
- Foyle Area (Designated Landing Areas) Regulations 2008
- Foyle Area (Control of Oyster Fishing) Regulations 2008
- Foyle Area (Oyster Logbook and Identification Tagging) Regulations 2008
- The Foyle and Carlingford Area (Prohibition of Sale of Salmon and Sea Trout Caught by Rod and Line) Regulations 2008
The proposed Loughs Agency legislation was deferred to the meeting of 24 June 2008 subject to the Committee receiving copies of documentation indicating the reasons for screening the legislation out of the equality impact assessment process.
William Irwin left the meeting at 4.11pm.
Allan Bresland left the meeting at 4.25pm.
The officials left the meeting at 4.40pm.
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AOB
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Date of the next meeting
Members agreed to invite the Permanent Secretary and the Senior Management team to the next meeting to address Committee concerns on a number of matters including the Departments "Wind Energy for Rural Businesses" programme.
Members were remained of the Countryside Management Visit to the Mournes and Slieve Croob area on Thursday 19 June 2008.
The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 24 June 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.44pm.