COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 24 MARCH 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
Francie Molloy
Edwin Poots
George Savage
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Frank Geddis (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Thomas Burns
The meeting opened at 1.35pm in Public Session.
1. Agricultural Stakeholder Forum on Renewable Energy
Pierce Buckley, Michael Doran and Michael Harnett, representatives from the Agricultural Stakeholder Forum on Renewable Energy, joined the meeting at 1.36pm and made a presentation to Committee on the progress of DARD’s Renewable Energy Action Plan. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 1.36pm.
Edwin Poots joined the meeting at 1.37pm.
Willie Irwin joined the meeting at 1.37pm.
George Savage joined the meeting at 1.40pm.
Pat Doherty joined the meeting at 1.40pm.
Francie Molloy left the meeting at 1.55pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 2.11pm.
2. Apologies
As above.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issuedThe Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 19 March 2009.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 19 March 2009.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Chairperson of the Committee for Employment and Learning regarding work- shadowing placements during Disability Week. Members agreed to host a disabled young person during Disability Week.
4. Minutes
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 19 March 2009.
5. Presentation – DARD – Rural White Paper
Keith Morrison and Nigel Quinn, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 2.15pm and presented to Committee on DARD’s Rural White Paper. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Edwin Poots left the meeting at 2.40pm.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 2.40pm.
Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 2.43pm.
Nigel Quinn left the meeting at 2.43pm.
6. Presentation – DARD – Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion Framework
Keith Morrison, Vince McKevitt, Paul Donnelly and Zita Murphy, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 2.43pm and presented to Committee on DARD’s Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion Framework. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 2.51pm.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 3.13pm.
Pat Doherty joined the meeting at 3.14pm.
Officials left the meeting at 3.21pm.
7. a) Presentation – DARD – PSA Indicators of Forest Service
David Small, Richard Schaible, Joe Bradley, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 3.21pm and made a presentation on the above.
Following the presentation Members asked questions.
William Irwin left the meeting at 3.23pm.
P J Bradley joined the meeting at 3.30pm.
Deputy Chairperson took the chair at 3.55pm.
b) Presentation – DARD – Recreational and Social Use of Forest Service Forests.
David Small, Richard Schaible, Joe Bradley, departmental officials, presentation on the consultation responses to the department’s consultation on the Recreation and Social Use of Forest Service Forests. Following the presentation Members asked questions.
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 4.00pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 4.10pm.
Officials left the meeting at 4.10pm.
8. Presentation – DARD – Pre-consultation on Strangford Lough Pot Fishery Management Plan
Ian Humes and Paddy Campbell, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 4.10pm and made a presentation on the above mentioned pre-consultation. Following the presentation, Members agreed that officials should return and present to Committee with an analytical summary of the consultation responses.
George Savage left the meeting at 4.11pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 4.13pm.
Willaim Irwin left the meeting at 4.14pm.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 4.16pm.
9. Presentation – DARD – SL1- The Sea Fishing Industry (Harbour, Landing and Lights Dues) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2009
Ian Humes and Paddy Campbell, departmental officials made a presentation on the above mentioned SL1. It was agreed that it should progress to the next legislative stage.
The officials left the meeting at 4.29pm.
10. SR – The Agriculture (Hardship Payment) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2009
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Agriculture (Hardship Payment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, has no objection to the rule.
11. SR – The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, has no objection to the rule.
12. Future Presentations
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 31 March 2009 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Building.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.45pm.