COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER 2007,
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Philip Maguire (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
The meeting opened at 10.38 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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3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson informed members that the Christmas Carol Service would take place at 12p.m. in the Senate Chamber.
Members were asked to confirm their availability to attend the Minister’s Christmas drinks reception in Clarence Court on 19 December.
Members were informed that the Committee Clerk and office staff will be on leave over the Christmas period and there will be no staff available on 27 and 28 December but that the Clerk could be contacted on her mobile.
Members were advised that a response on the Giants Causeway requesting all papers had been included in their meeting packs.
Mr Ford informed members that he had met with the parties involved in the Strangford Marine Turbine dispute and that there was work ongoing to resolve the dispute.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.42a.m.
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Prehen Wood
Members discussed the recent correspondence received from the Prehen Historical and Environmental Society in relation to the development at Prehen Wood.
Agreed: That the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Mr Ford meet representatives from the Prehen Historical and Environmental Society and other interested individuals to discuss the matter.
Agreed: That a copy of the Planning Appeals Commission’s decision on the Prehen Wood development is circulated to members.
Agreed: That a copy of the planning file is requested from Planning Service.
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Mourne National Park
Members discussed their proposed response to the Minister in relation to the Mourne National Park Working Party Report.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider the Assembly Research paper at their meeting on 10 January 2008 and scrutinise the National Party Working Report in more detail before formulating a response.
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Forward Work Programme
Members discussed the priorities, and potential visits, for their Forward Work Programme for the coming session in 2008.
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Statutory Rule
SR No. 2007/481 - The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment No.4) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the SR No. 2007/481 - The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use)(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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Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 – The Draft Waste Management (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) (2007)
- Agreed: That the Committee receive a briefing from the Department before formulating a response.
Agreed: That the Agriculture Committee is asked for their comments on this proposal.
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Correspondence
1. Email and letter from The Quarry Products Association regarding the attached Business Case for the Creation of an Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund in NI.
Agreed: That the Department of Finance and Personnel provide a written briefing on this issue.
2. Members noted a letter from the Equality Commission regarding alleged discrimination by taxi drivers/operators.
3. Letters from the Department regarding a public consultation on a draft all – Ireland Species Action Plan, requesting the Committee’s comments.
Agreed: That a paper on this issue is requested from Assembly Research.4. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding The Radioactive Contaminated Land ( Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 .
5. Members noted a holding letter from the Department regarding a request for further information in relation to Implications of Judicial Review PPS14.
6. Members noted a letter from the Department (DVA) regarding the issue of the Equality Impact Assessment, Draft Consultation Document in relation to the introduction of the Vehicles Centralisation policy.
7. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding Guidance on Pre-Application Discussions for Strategic Projects and Major Housing, Commercial, Industrial and Public sector Proposals.
8. Emails from Des McConaghy dated 7 th December 2007 and 10 th December 2007 regarding the Giant’s Causeway and the Giants Causeway Golf Course.
Agreed: That Mr McConaghy is provided with updates on the Committee’s role on this issue.9. Members noted the Terms of Reference and agenda for the first meeting of Welsh Commission on Climate Change.
Agreed: That this information is forwarded to the Department.10. Members noted the seventh Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees.
11. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the Consultation Paper on the Environmental Impact Assessment of Reserved matters Applications.
12. Members noted a response from the Department regarding Implications of Judicial Review – PPS14.
13. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the disks missing in transit between DVA in Coleraine and DVLA Swansea.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.50a.m.
14. Memo and letter from the Clerk of the Committee for Regional Development regarding a Review of Speed Management Policy.
Agreed: That Departmental officials are invited to the meeting on 10 January 2008 to give a briefing on speed management.15. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the Policy document on the “Control of Development in Airport Public Safety Zones”
16. Members noted a Press Release from the Minister welcoming Assembly support on the UK Climate Change Bill.
Publications/Conferences/Press Releases:
Members noted the following publications and press releases:
17. DOE News releases –
Biodiversity – What on earth is it!
High Tech Survey of North Coast Sea Bed Gets Under Way.
Northern Ireland Air Quality Continues to Improve.
“Environmental Protection UK Briefing”
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Any other business
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 January 2008 at 10.30am in room 144 Parliament Buildings
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12p.m.