COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 2 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. (Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Dr William McCrea MP MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In attendance: Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Shauna Mageean (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Michael McCoy (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: None
1.35pm The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 23 February 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 1 March 2010
Dr McCrea declared an interest
1.42pm Mr Burns entered the meeting
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 23 February 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 23 February 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to contact Assembly Research Services to request that they contact various countryside activities and farming organisations seeking information on fox numbers
Agreed: The Committee agreed to follow up with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for a response in relation to previous correspondence from the Committee on Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development seeking further information on an incident where Northern Ireland potatoes exported to Morocco were not accepted by the authorities at the point of entry.
4. Presentation: Show Dogs Ireland- Views on the Dog Control Bill
1.47pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
Caroline Reynolds - Owner/Editor of Show Dogs Ireland Publications
Maynard Collins - Dog Show Exhibitor and International Judge
Paul Martin - Dog Show Exhibitor and International Judge
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1.49pm Mr Savage entered the meeting
1.52pm Mr Clarke entered the meeting
Mr Elliott declared an interest
2.16pm Mr Elliott left the meeting
2.29pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
2.33pm Mr Molloy left the meeting
2.34pm Dr McCrea left the meeting
2.34pm The representatives left the meeting
5. Presentation: An Creagán Visitor Centre – Issues with wind turbine funding
2.35pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
John Donaghy - Manager
Fidelma Mc Aleer - Chairperson
Pat Haughey - Secretary
Vincent Meenagh – Treasurer
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.38pm Mr Elliott rejoined the meeting
2.45pm Mr Paisley Jnr. left the meeting
2.45pm The Deputy Chairperson, Mr Elliott, took the Chair
2.45pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
2.48pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
2.54pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
2.56pm Mr Clarke left the meeting
3.07pm Mr Molloy left the meeting
3.11pm Mr Paisley Jnr. rejoined the meeting
3.11pm The Chairperson, Mr Paisley Jnr., took the Chair
Mr Doherty declared an interest
3.15pm Mr Molloy rejoined the meeting
3.17pm Mr Clarke rejoined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommending that DARD compromise with the An Creagán group by withdrawing the request for claw back of the initial payment and compensate the group to the level of the outstanding grant.
3.23pm The representatives left the meeting
6. SL1: The Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Control Measures) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that all of the above mentioned legislation should proceed to the next stage, subject to satisfactory resolution of queries regarding availability of funding for modernisation of vessel systems.
7. SR: Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
8. SR: The Specified Animal Pathogens (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Specified Animal Pathogens (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
9. AOB
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite representatives of the local banks to appear before Committee to discuss lending practices for the agricultural sector.
10. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting at 1.30pm on Tuesday 9 March 2010 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
3.30pm The meeting was adjourned