COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER 2007,
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
In Attendance:
Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Philip Maguire (Clerical Officer)
Mr Hugh Widdis (Legal Adviser)
Apologies:
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Datihi McKay
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting opened at 10.08 a.m. in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies are detailed above
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Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.
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Matters Arising
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.10a.m.
Giants Causeway Visitors’ Centre Planning Application
Members were informed that the Department had now provided the Committee with a list of documents relating to the visitors’ centre planning application that had been withheld.
Agreed: that the meeting go into closed session to allow the members to take legal advice from the legal adviser.
The meeting went into closed session at 10.23a.m.
Agreed: that a letter is sent to the Department asking for copies of all the withheld documents the Department had listed.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 11.09a.m.
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 11.09a.m.
The meeting resumed in public session at 11.11a.m.
UK Climate Change Bill
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the UK Climate Change Bill.
Mr McCrea returned to the meeting at 11.28a.m.
Mr Ford left the meeting 11.28a.m.
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Departmental Briefing on MOT Pass/Fail Rates
Departmental officials Bernie Rooney and Terry Dawson briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on MOT pass/fail rates.
Mr Ford returned to the meeting at 11.38a.m.
Agreed: That the Department provides the Committee with MOT pass/fail rates for 2006-2007.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.41a.m.
Agreed: That officials from the new Centralised team are invited to brief the Committee at a future meeting.
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Departmental Briefing on Mourne National Park
Departmental officials Susanna Allen, Colum McDaid and Margaret McClenaghan briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed Mourne National Park.
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Mourne Heritage Trust Briefing on Mourne National Park
Dr Arthur Mitchell, Jo Whatmough and Camilla Fitzpatrick from the Mourne Heritage Trust briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed Mourne National Park
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Slieve Croob Residents’ Action Group Briefing on Mourne National Park
Valerie Hanna, Arthur King, Edward Rooney and Cecil Newell from the Slieve Croob Residents’ Action Group briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed Mourne National Park.
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Statutory Rules
Members were advised that the Examiner of Statutory Rules report was included for consideration in members’ packs.
SR 2007/479 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the SR 2007/479 – Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 rule and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report, has no objection to the rule.
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Correspondence
- Members note a letter from the Department regarding the submission of a planning application for a 400kv North South Electricity Inter-connector
- Members note an e-mail from BearingPoint consultants regarding the Review of the Planning Service.
- Email from the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland requesting a copy of the Departmental Strategic Business Case on the funding of waste management.
- E-mail from the Department regarding a request from the Minister to speak to the Committee on Road Safety for the first sitting in January.
- E-mail from Mr Neil Wallace regarding the need for a NI Conservation Group.
- Letter from the Department regarding a possible Inquiry into Child Poverty.
- E-mail from Maria Herron regarding an article in Belfast Telegraph about Prehen Wood (this email was forwarded to members on 30 November 2007).
Agreed: That the response from the Department is forwarded to Maria Herron.
- E-mail from Belmont Nursery School (Jennifer Marshall, Principal) re Prehen Wood
Agreed: That the response from the Department is forwarded to Jennifer Marshall.
- E-mail from Maria Herron regarding Prehen Wood and asking what powers the Committee has.
Agreed: That a copy of the Committee’s powers is sent to Maria Herron.
- Letter from The Northern Ireland Marine Task Force regarding a request for a presentation to the Committee on introducing legislation in NI to implement the provisions of the UK Marine Bill. An invitation for the Chairperson to attend the launch to the Marine Protected Areas Project was also included.
Agreed: That the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force is invited to a future Committee meeting.
- E-mail from Patrick Rooney requesting the opportunity to give a presentation to the Committee on new IT technology.
Agreed: That Mr Rooney is invited to a future Committee meeting
- E-mail from Federation of Master Builders regarding the campaign called “Building A Greener Britian”
Agreed: That the Federation of Master Builders is invited to a future Committee meeting.
- E-mail and correspondence from Des McConaghy regarding the Giants Causeway.
Agreed: That Mr McConaghy is provided with an update on the Giants Causeway issue.
- Members noted a letter from Advice NI and copy of Annual Report & Membership Profile Calendar. (Annual Report and Calendar are available in Room 247 on request).
- Response from the Department regarding legislation on Safety of Passengers in Goods Vehicles Road Freight (Licensing of Operators) Bill. A copy of the letter from Mike Turner dated 22 October 2007 was also considered.
Agreed: That Mr Turner is invited to brief the Committee in February/March 2008
- Members noted an e-mail and correspondence from OFMDFM Committee regarding an update on the Review of Public Administration.
- Response from the Department to an Inquiry from Lady Sylvia Hermon, on behalf of Adrian Wilson regarding – Tourism – Constraints by the Planning System. The Department’s previous response dated 23 rd October 2007 and Mr Wilson’s previous correspondence is also attached for Members attention.
Agreed: That the response from the Department is forwarded to Lady Hermon and Adrian Wilson.
- Response from the Department regarding the Planning Application involving access through Prehen Wood, Derry
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to all the individuals and organisations that have written to the Committee in regard to the Prehen Wood development.
Publications/Conferences/Press Releases:
- Members noted the following DOE News releases –
Minister Chairs Local Government Review Meeting.
Minister Welcomes Streamlined Planning Process.
Minister sets out a Programme for Planning Reform.
Wet summer hits Northern Ireland beaches.
Members were informed that the following publications had been received and placed in their pigeonholes:
“The Pollution Prevention & Control (Industrial Pollution & Radiochemical Inspectorate) Draft Charging Scheme ( Northern Ireland) 2008”
“Consultation Draft Planning Policy Statement 18 Renewable Energy (PPS18)”
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Any other business
Members were advised that the Committee had ordered 50 Christmas cards for issue to the Department and other relevant organisations/people. Members were invited to provide Committee staff with details of any particular organisations/individuals that they wish to include when cards are issued.
Members were advised that copies of the Taxis Bill report had been placed in their pigeon holes.
Members were advised that they would be provided with a copy of the Forward Work Programme for discussion at the meeting on 13 December.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10.30am in room 144 Parliament Buildings
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.12p.m.
Patsy McGlone