Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 17 APRIL 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir

In Attendance: Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Chris Corr (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:

The meeting commenced in public session at 10.37 a.m.

  1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

  1. Minutes

Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 10 April were agreed.

Mr Gardiner joined the meeting at 10.41a.m.

  1. Matters Arising

Woodland Trust Tree Planting Event:
The Chairperson informed members that he had recently attended a tree planting event in his role as Committee Chairperson, the event was organised by the Woodland Trust.

Draft Forward Work Programme:
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the draft Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That the Committee visit to Armagh takes place on 5 June and that Committee staff identify suitable available venues.

  1. Departmental briefing on the Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008.

Mr McGlone left the meeting at 10.56a.m. and Mr Boylan assumed the Chair.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.00a.m.

Agreed: That the Committee is content with the proposed regulations.

  1. Departmental briefing on PPS 18 – Renewable Energy

Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on Planning Policy Statement 18 – Renewable Energy.

Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting at 11.36a.m. and reassumed the Chair.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 11.37a.m.
Mr Gardiner left the meeting at 11.42a.m.

Agreed: That Airtricity and British Wind Energy Association are invited to brief the Committee on PPS18 at the meeting on 15 May.

  1. Departmental briefing on plans to consult on proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands

Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.00p.m.

Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands.

Mr Gardiner rejoined the meeting 12.05p.m.
Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 12.13p.m.
Mr Ford rejoined the meeting at 12.17p.m.

Agreed: That the Committee invite the Departmental officials back for a further update following the 12-week consultation period.

  1. Statutory Rules

SR 2008/18 – The Motor Vehicles Testing (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered the Motor Vehicles Testing (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

  1. Proposals for Secondary Legislation

SL1 – The Draft Planning (Avian Influenza) (Special Development) Order (NI) 2008

Agreed: That the Committee considered The Draft Planning (Avian Influenza) (Special Development) Order (NI) 2008 and had no objections to the proposal.

  1. Correspondence
    1. E mail from Gibson to Patsy McGlone and Billy Armstrong regarding the use of lead shot in wetalnds.

    Agreed: That a copy of the e mail is sent to the Environment Heritage Service for comment.

    1. Members noted an invite from the Association of Preservation Trusts for Chairperson to speak at annual AGM.
    2. Our Environment, Our Heritage, Our Future: State of the Environment Report for Northern Ireland” full report and summary from the Environmental Heritage Service.
    Agreed: That a written update is requested from the Department as to the current status of the review of environmental governance.
    1. Letter from DEFRA inviting Committee to submit comments on the Draft Marine Bill.
    Agreed: That members consider a response once they have received the detailed briefing package from the Department in May.
    1. Letter from the Department indicating that a detailed briefing package for the Draft Marine Bill will be produced in May.
    Agreed: That members consider a response once they have received the detailed briefing package from the Department in May.
    1. Members noted the“Transposition of Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom on the Supervision and Control of Shipments of Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel” consultation package.
    2. Members noted a letter and attached documents for Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding formulation of a template for submissions to quarterly monitoring rounds.
    3. Letter from OFMDFM Committee regarding removal of exemption for operators of transport services from Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act and request that the Committee engage with the Minister and Department regarding this issue.
    Agreed: That a letter is sent to the OFMDFM Committee indicating the Environment Committee’s support.
    1. Members noted a letter from the Minister indicating intention to announce Notice of Opinion to approve planning application Q/2006/1074/F.
    2. Members noted a letter from the Minister indicating intention to announce Notice to Opinion to refuse on planning application Y/2005/0257/O.
    3. Members noted a letter from the Minister indicating intention to announce Notice of Opinion to refuse planning application H/1997/0364/F.
    4. Letter from the Minister indicating intention to announce Notice of Opinion to approve planning application T/2002/0020/F.
    5. Letter from the Department indicating that the Committee may wish to bring new IT technology to the attention of the Finance and Personnel Committee.
    Agreed: That this correspondence is forwarded to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
    1. Members noted an invoice from BMF business services indicating receipt of conference papers from the 2 nd Northern Ireland Environment Forum.
    Members noted the following DOE Press Releases:
    1. DOE News releases –
    “ Ulster farm by-products ltd fined £5,000 for polluting river”

“Foster welcomes sonar sea-bed map”

  1. Any other Business

Members were informed that the Quarry Products Association NI will be hosting an event in the Long Gallery on 22 May.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 24 April 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.28p.m.

Patsy McGlone
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
24 April 2008
10 April 08 / Menu