COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 23 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 David McClarty
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Cathie White (Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Long (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Richard Clarke (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Peter Weir
The meeting commenced in public session at 10.35 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes
Agreed – the draft minutes of the meeting on 16 October were agreed.
10.44am Mr Clark joined the meeting
3. Matters Arising
The Chairperson advised members that a number of school children may sit in on the meeting. The students are involved in a ‘private secretaries’ course and their attendance has being facilitated following the request received by the OFMDFM Committee.
The Chairperson advised members that he had met with Stephen Peover, Permanent Secretary on 13 October 2008 to discuss the issue of environmental signposting. Details of the meeting along with a copy of the draft front page of the proposed website were included in members’ meeting papers.
The Chairperson advised members that a copy of the Minister’s response, dated 15 October 2008, to the Committee’s request for an update on PPS 14 was included in members’ meeting papers.
Agreed: That the Minister is invited to a future meeting to update members on PPS 14 and other relevant issues
The Chairperson advised members that details of the meeting between the Chairperson and Mr Hugh McAnulty on 28 July 2008 have been forwarded, as requested, to the Department.
4. Briefing by Dr Alice Bows, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, on climate change
Alice Bows, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on her latest findings on climate change.
Agreed: That the Committee holds an inquiry into ‘climate change’
11.22am Dr Alex McGarel, Committee Clerk left the meeting and was replaced in the role of Clerk by Cathie White.
5. Briefing by Departmental officials on designation as an ASSI at Lisnaragh
Officials from the Department along with a representative from the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed designation of an ASSI at lands in Lisnaragh.
Representatives from the Disappointed Lisnaragh Landowners Group also answered questions on the proposed designation.
Agreed: That the Committee write to the Minister advising that it has concluded, on the evidence provided to date, that the consultation process in this instance was flawed and incomplete
Mr Ford asked for it to be stated that the challenge to the Department’s science was not substantiated.
12.25pm Mr McClarty left the meeting.
12.35pm Dr Alex McGarel rejoined the meeting and resumed the role as Clerk.
6. Committee consideration of Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Issues Paper
Members deliberated over a paper of the issues raised to date from written and oral submissions in relation to the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bill.
Agreed: That an updated version of the ‘issues paper’ along with a copy of the ‘key clauses’ document be forwarded electronically to members
12.38pm Mr Ford left the meeting.
12.45pm Mr McGlone left the meeting and Mr Boylan assumed the Chair.
12.45pm Mr McKay left the meeting.
12.50pm Mr McGlone rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair.
7. Departmental briefing on input into UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2006 - 2030
Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their input into the UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharged 2006-2030.
12.55pm Mr Gallagher left the meeting.
1.05pm Mr Clark left the meeting.
8. Briefing by Lough Foyle Wildfowlers on proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands
Representatives from the Lough Foyle Wildfowlers briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the proposed regulations to prohibit the use of lead shot over wetlands.
Agreed: That the Committee request from the Department the scientific evidence of the need for a lead shot ban in Northern Ireland along with detail of the legal aspects that bind them to the forthcoming lead shot regulations in Northern Ireland and how it identified stakeholders for the consultation
Agreed: That the Committee copies of the relevant papers to the Lough Foyle Wildfowlers group
9. Correspondence
- Letter from Chris Clark, CEO BT Ireland, inviting the Chairperson to attend the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2009 in the RDS, Dublin.
- Members noted the invitation to attend Capita’s 4 th National Conference ‘Improving the Life Chances of Children in Care’.
- Letter from Mr Ronnie Carser, Secretary, Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs, regarding the discussion on Occupiers’ Liability Legislation at the Committee meeting on 9 th October.
- Letter from the Department regarding completed consultation on the Dangerous Wild Animals Order ( Northern Ireland) 2004.
- Members noted the invitation to attend Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference entitled ‘ Irelands’ Biodiversity in a Changing Climate – Helping Nature to Adapt and Survive’ at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on the 18 th November 2008.
- Members noted the letter from the Department regarding the Committee’s request for the Driver and Vehicle Agency to provide pass/fail rates for full vehicle tests and retests.
- Memo from Peter Hall, Clerk to the Employment and learning Committee regarding the European Social Fund – Matched Funding Bids.
- Members noted the letter from the Minister regarding Article 31 planning application J/2007/0131/O.
- Members noted the letter from the Department regarding a Committee request for more information on the proposed North/South Electricity Interconnector.
- Members noted the letter from Rev. Brian G Cooper, Co-ordinator, WDC, introducing the new World Disarmament Campaign Publication Entitled ‘Nuclear Power & Nuclear Proliferation’ by Frank Barnaby.
- Letter from the Department regarding the Committee’s request for comments on a report by the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill.
- Letter from the Department regarding a Committee request for views on development of legislation for setting of fuel surcharges at short notice due to fluctuations in fuel prices.
- Members noted the letter from the Department advising that the Planning Service’s “Development Management – Annual 2007/2008” Statistics Report is now available on its website.
- Members noted the letter from Mitchel McLaughlin, Chairperson Committee for Finance and Personnel, regarding the current strategic stocktake of the Budget position for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
- Letter from Danny Kennedy, Chairperson, Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, regarding Consideration of European Issues.
Agreed: That a response be issued indicating that Chairperson will be attending event
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment
Agreed: That the Department is advised that the Committee does not wish to comment at this stage
Agreed: That the letter is forwarded to the Minister of the Environment
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to the Committee for Finance and Personnel
Agreed: That a copy of the letter is forwarded to Sam Egerton
Agreed: That the Committee Clerk provide an overview for members
Members noted the following DOE Press Releases / Publications:
“Dungannon man fined £6,500 for Waste Offences”.
“Company fined for unauthorised work on a listed building”.
“Farmer Fined for Polluting Discharge to a Waterway”
“ Armagh Farmer and Armagh Company Fined for Illegal Waste Disposal”
11. Any other business
Members further discussed the proposed letter to the Minister regarding the proposed ASSI designation at Lisnaragh.
Agreed: That the letter to the Minister should also recommend that the confirmation of the Lisnaragh ASSI should fall
Mr Beggs asked for it to be noted that the Department may wish to revisit the issue of ASSI designations in the Lisnaragh area as there are areas of geological significance.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 6 November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.35 p.m.