COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER 2008,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr David Ford
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr David McClarty
Mr Alastair Ross
In Attendance:
Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk)
Dr Alex McGarel (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.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr David McClarty who has replaced Mr Billy Armstrong as a member of the Committee.
Agreed: That a letter of thanks is sent to Mr Armstrong for his work on the Committee.
The Chairperson informed members that Alex McGarel had taken over the role of Committee Clerk from Patricia Casey. The Chairperson expressed his, and the Committee’s thanks to Ms Casey for the hard work and guidance she had given to the Committee in her time as Clerk.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 25 September were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Sustainability - The Regulator’s Role:
The Chairperson advised members that, due to the cross-cutting nature of the consultation the Committee Clerk will be liaising with the clerks from the DRD and DETI committees to discuss the format and timing of a response.
Agreed: That members consider a response at the meeting on 9 October.
Draft Committee response to questions on DFP review of budget logistics:
The Chairperson advised members that at the meeting on 25 September the Committee deliberated on the draft Committee response to questions on the DFP review of budget logistics. The agreed changes to the document had been made.
Agreed: That the response, subject to a further agreed minor amendment, is forwarded to the DFP Committee.
4. Briefing by Horticulture Forum on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Representatives from the Horticulture Forum briefed the Committee and answered members’ question on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
The main areas of discussion were exemptions and enforcement.
5.Briefing by DVA Enforcement officers on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
Mr Clarke declared an interest.
DVA Enforcement Officers briefed the Committee and answered members’ question on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
The main areas of discussion were the potential increase in the number of vehicles that will fall within the remit of the Bill, the current numbers in the enforcement team, possible displacement of businesses and the possibility of similar legislation being introduced in the Republic of Ireland.
Agreed: That DOE officials forward statistics to the Committee on the number of enforcement cases and convictions in the last 5 years and a further breakdown of the number of these cases that are duplicate or triplicate.
6. Briefing by DOE Planning officials on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill
DOE Planning official briefed the Committee and answered members’ question on the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
The main areas of discussion were the interpretation of a planning centre and planning law and the storage and movement of goods.
Mr Gallagher left the meeting at 11.40a.m.
Agreed: That Planning Service forward the Committee written clarification on the definition of an operating centre and the storage of goods.
Mr Clarke left the meeting at 11.47a.m.
7. Departmental briefing on proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands
DOE officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ question on the proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands.
Mr Beggs left the meeting at 12.07p.m.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 12.11p.m.
The main areas of discussion were the ballistic value of steel shot, engagement with shooting groups and clay pigeon shooting organisations, the definition of wetlands, the possibility of a total ban on lead shot and the cost of any alternatives.
Mr Gallagher rejoined the meeting at 12.11p.m.
8. Committee consideration of Forward Work Programme
The Committee deliberated over the draft Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That Committee staff arrange for members to travel to Fife to view the waste energy plant.
9. Statutory Rules
SR 2008/372 – The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (NI) 2008.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
SR 2008/373 – The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland)2008 and has no objection to the rule.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.24p.m.
10. Correspondence
- Submissions from the Lough Foyle Wildfowlers Association regarding Proposals to Prohibit the Use of Lead Shot over Wetlands and the review of the Wildlife Order.
Agreed: That the Lough Foyle Wildfowlers Association are invited to brief the Committee at a future Committee meeting. - Invitation for Chairperson to give a keynote address at the SOLACE NI branch conference ‘Delivering the Power of Well Being through Local Leadership’ on Thursday 27 th November 2008 at Lough Erne Golf Resort, Enniskillen
Agreed: That a letter is sent to SOLACE advising that the Chairperson is unable to attend due to a prior engagement. - Letter from Sue Ramsey to Sammy Wilson regarding the European Social Fund – Matched Funding Bids.
Agreed: That copy of the letter is passed to the DOE Minister. - Invitation to attend the launch of the inaugural report of the Committee on Climate Change ‘Tackling Global Climate Change – Building a Low Carbon Economy in the UK’ at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast (10 December 2008).
Agreed: That a letter is sent advising that the Chairperson will attend. - Members noted a Departmental response regarding the appointment of independent members to the NIEA Board.
- Members noted a reminder about the ‘ Northern Ireland 08’ Conference.
- Response from the Department regarding a complaint from Mr McAnulty (Yellow Line Coach Hire).
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr McAnulty and that he is made aware that Departmental officials will brief the Committee on this issue at the meeting on 16 October. - Departmental response regarding a request for further information on the display of MOT discs.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the DOE asking that they provide an update on their discussions with VOSA. - Letter from Arc21 requesting the opportunity to address the Committee on proposals for a Mechanical Biological Treatment plant and Energy from Waste plant
Agreed: That Arc21, SWaMP 2008 and Northern Region Waste Management Group are invited to a future Committee meeting. - Members noted a response from the Department regarding the possible timeline for introduction of an Assembly Bill for making amendments to the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 – Penalties
- Letter from Carbon Trust requesting opportunity to discuss its role in helping the NI Assembly and Executive meet its objectives.
Agreed: That the Carbon Trust is invited to a future Committee meeting. - Members noted a copy of an executive summary of the ‘Residual Waste treatment Briefing Note’ as forwarded by Noel Brady, SITA.
- Departmental response to a request for further information relating to planning policy for single rural dwellings based on farming need.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to Mr Daniel McKay - Members noted a departmental response to request for information regarding the outcome of the meeting between Mr Mike Turner and Arlene Foster, then Minister of the Environment.
- Departmental response regarding a request for further information for the Committee for Regional Development in relation to NI Water environmental compliance performance.
Agreed: That a copy of the response is forwarded to the DRD Committee. - Departmental response regarding a request for further information about fuel surcharges for taxi drivers.
Agreed: That copy of the response is forwarded to Samuel Egerton and that a letter is sent to the DOE asking for a degree of flexibility when fuel prices increase. - Members noted a response from the DOE Permanent Secretary regarding a request for information relating to managerial practices and procedures within the Department of the Environment in respect of communicating with the Committee.
- Members noted a copy of NILGOSC Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008.
Members noted the following DOE Press Releases/Publications
- ”Fermanagh Man Fined £500 For Waste Offences”
“Minister Urges Public to Have Their Say on Their Local Council”
“Deputy Chairmanship of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland
“Lurgan Man Fined £2000 For Waste Offences”
“Environment Agency to Conserve Motte and Bailey”
“Moira man fined £1500 for waste water offence”
“Transport Matters – September 2008 issue”
11. Any other business
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 9 October 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.33p.m.