COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 5 JUNE 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
In Attendance: Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Iain Elliott (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.33a.m.
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Apologies
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Minutes
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Matters Arising
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Briefing by Firmus Energy
Apologies are detailed above.
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 29 May were agreed.
Mr Gallagher joined the meeting at 10.35a.m.
Departmental request for papers:
The Chairperson informed members that the Department had requested copies of the briefing papers from Ulster Farmers’ Union and Airtricity on PPS18.
Agreed: That copies of these papers are forwarded to the Department.
Utility Regulation and Sustainable Development:
The Chairperson informed members that the Committee had been invited to submit comments on the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) Sustainability Consultation Document.
Agreed: That a synopsis of consultation responses is requested.
Agreed: Committee to write to DRD, OFMDFM and DETI Committees for details of how they intend to respond on the Sustainability Consultation Document.
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill:
The Chairperson informed members that the motion to extend the Committee stage of the Bill will be heard in Plenary on 12 June. A public notice inviting submissions has been placed in the main newspapers and a press release had also been issued.
Mr Clarke, Mr McCrea and Mr Ross joined the meeting at 10.38a.m.
DOE Underspend:
Mr Gallagher asked that Departmental officials and the Permanent Secretary are invited to a future meeting to explain the DOE budget underspend.
Agreed: That departmental officials and the Permanent Secretary are invited to a future meeting.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 10.49a.m.
Representatives from Firmus Energy briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on how the expansion of the gas network can help as a springboard for Northern Ireland towards a lower carbon economy.
Mr Ford rejoined the meeting at 11.05a.m.
Mr Boylan left the meeting at 11.15a.m.The main areas of discussion were plans for expansion into the west of Northern Ireland, the progress of work, discussions on an all-Ireland context for gas, availability of grants, work with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and housing associations, negotiations with hospitals and the costs of conversion.
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Briefing by Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA)
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 11.25a.m.
Representatives from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their report ‘Nightmare on Every Street’.
The main areas of discussion were out of town developments, town centre regeneration and the progress of PPS5.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.04p.m.
Agreed: That departmental officials are invited to brief the Committee on the progress of PPS5 at the meeting on 3 July.
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Departmental briefing on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 12.10p.m.
Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 12.11p.m.Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 12.35pm.
The main areas of discussion were the requirements for operators’ licences, off road parking, the differences in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland operating centres, exemptions and ‘flagging out’.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.48p.m.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.49p.m.
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Proposal for Secondary Legislation
SL1 - Proposed amendments to the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order.
Agreed: That the Committee considered proposed amendments to the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order and had no objections to the proposal.
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Correspondence
- Members noted a letter from Environment Link presenting two new fact sheets ‘Climate Change – The Energy Issue’ and ‘Northern Ireland’s Historic Environment’.
- Members noted a letter from Mr William Methven of Sustrans to the Minister regarding Cycle Proficiency training in NI schools.
- Complaint from Mr Robert McAllister re problems at George Best Airport.
- Members noted a letter from the Minister stating her intention to make a statement to the Assembly on Tuesday, 27th May 2008.
- Departmental response re. letter from Kevlin Community and Development Association.
- Members noted a departmental response to a request from the Environment Committee for more information on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill made on the 28th April.
- Members noted a letter from the Department regarding the ‘Significant Water Management Issues Consultation’ response.
- Members noted an invitation from Robin Curry, Research Manager of Envirocentre, to the launch of the findings of the Northern Visions Project in QUB on Thursday 12 June.
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the Kevlin Community and Development Association.
Press Releases:
Environment Minister cuts red tape to fight crime.
Tall Buildings Guidance to be produced.
Arlene Foster Highlights Draft Plans to Tackle ‘Houses in Multiple
Occupancy’.
Arlene Foster launches Environment Partnership with Business.
Downpatrick Man Fined for Planning Offences.
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Any Other Business
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 June 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.54p.m.