COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2010,
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr Cathal Boylan (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr David Ford
Mrs Dolores Kelly (Chairperson)
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting began in public session at 10.04a.m.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 11 February were agreed.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson informed members that the Public Accounts Committee had released its inquiry report into the performance on the Planning Service.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Planning Service stating that the Committee looks forward to receiving the Planning Service’s response.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the Knock Golf Course planning application.
Mr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.10a.m.
Agreed: That the issue is discussed in further details at the meeting on 25 February 2010 and that the Committee is provided with all relevant papers and newspaper articles.
Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.14a.m.
4. Matters arising
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on historic buildings grant aid.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department expressing the Committee’s concern that the proposals represent actual funding cuts rather than efficiency savings and they could have a long term impact on historic buildings.
Mr Ford joined the meeting at 10.16a.m.
Mr McKay joined the meeting at 10.16a.m.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on an infraction case relating to the transposition of EU Directives.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Bell declared an interest as a member of the Committee of the Regions
Mr Ford declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council
Mr Kinahan declared an interest as a member of Antrim Borough Council
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department requesting more specific information on the nature of the non conformities by the bodies listed and the areas in which the breaches are occurring.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a reply from the PSNI to Committee queries on dates for future Road Safe Roadshows.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 10.20a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the PSNI stating that the Committee would like to participate in a Road Safety event after summer recess.
Members noted a Ministerial reply to Committee queries on plans to enable local councils to access specialist natural heritage advice post RPA.
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Bell declared an interest as a member of NILGA
Mr Weir declared an interest as Vice-Chair of NILGA
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on enforcement of the Taxis Act.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on SAGE and the implications for the North/South Interconnector.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification on the costs of zoning developments away from high voltage cables and the extent to which this issue has been considered by the Northern Ireland Executive as well as the UK Government. The letter is also to state that some members urged the Department to err on the side of caution on this issue.
Members noted a Departmental reply to Committee queries on strategic planning applications.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with an interim Committee response on the Marine Policy papers following the briefing on 11 February.
Agreed: That the response is issued subject to the minor amendments suggested.
Mr McKay rejoined the meeting at 10.40a.m
5. RSPB briefing on Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
Representatives from the RSPB briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
The main areas of discussion were temporary stop notices, reinstatement notices, curlew numbers, EU Directives, RSPB discussions with the Department, review of licensing and proposed, non-native species, custodial sentences and fines, snares and proposed amendments to the bill.
Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.58a.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the RSPB asking for further information on the EU directives with which they feel Northern Ireland is non-compliant.
6. Countryside Alliance Ireland briefing on Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
Representatives from the Countryside Alliance Irelandbriefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
The main areas of discussion were snares, the curlew, hare coursing, scientific research on the Irish Hare and proposed amendments to the bill.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Countryside Alliance asking for more information on their townland membership and more information on their study of Glenwherry.
Mr McKay left the meeting at 11.50a.m.
Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 11.58a.m.
Mr Ross left the meeting at 12.00p.m.
Mr Kinahan left the meeting at 12.00p.m.
7. Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill
The following members declared an interest:
Mr Bell declared an interest as a member of NILGA
Mr Weir declared an interest as Vice-Chair of NILGA
Mr McCrea left the meeting at 12.02p.m.
The Chairperson informed members that they had been provided with copies of submissions from Northern Ireland Environment Link, UFU, NILGA, Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group and T.A.C.T (Talnotry Avian Care Trust).
Agreed: That all the groups are invited to give oral evidence on the Bill within a 15 minute time slot at future Committee meetings.
Members noted Departmental replies to the Wildlife Bill from DARD, DSD, DFP, DCAL and DETI.
Agreed: That Assembly Research prepares a paper on how proposals in the Northern Ireland Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill compare with Wildlife Orders in England, Wales and Scotland.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.04p.m.
The meeting re-started at 12.10p.m. with the following members present: Dolores Kelly, David Ford, Roy Beggs, Jonathan Bell
8. Briefing by Assembly Research on research into the costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation
Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 12.12p.m.
Mr Boylan rejoined the meeting at 12.13p.m.
An Assembly Researcher briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on research into the costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Mr Dallat rejoined the meeting at 12.17p.m.
Mr Beggs left the meeting at 12.18p.m.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for an indication of when a Climate Change Implementation Report will be published.
Mr Beggs rejoined the meeting at 12.20p.m.
Agreed: That the research focuses on the costs of adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the public sector, that the Carbon Trust, Committee on Climate Change and Energy Savings Trust are contacted regarding costs of adaptation and mitigation of climate change in the public sector, that specific examples of costs in the public sector in Scotland are examined and that the UK Permanent Representative in Brussels is contacted regarding future penalties for not meeting targets.
9. Briefing by Assembly Research on their Road Safety papers
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.30p.m.
Mr Kinahan rejoined the meeting at 12.30p.m.
An Assembly Research official briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on their Road Safety papers.
Agreed: That the road safety papers are sent to the PSNI and the Policing Board for information.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide a paper on technology aimed at cutting signals on mobile phones whilst driving as used in satellite navigation systems.
Agreed: That Assembly Research is asked to provide a paper on 45mph speed limits on rural roads in Europe.
Agreed: That information is sought on the potential of lower insurance for people taking the advanced driving test.
Agreed: That the Assembly Research road safety papers are circulated to members by e-mail.
10. Consultations
Members considered 2 consultations:
Control of pollution (oil storage) regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That a copy of the synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
Consultation on the draft Local Government (Contracts) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking how it intends to address the issues raised by respondents to the consultation.
11. Correspondence
Departmental response to Committee request for further information on the funding for the River Basin Management Plans.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to WWF for information.
Memo from Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the Draft Tourism Strategy for NI.
Agreed: That the memo is forward to the Department for response.
Memo from Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development in relation to slurry spreading and compliance with the Nitrates Directive.
Agreed: That the memo is forwarded to the Minister for response.
Departmental response to Committee request on “Promotion of Townland Names”.
Agreed: That the response is forwarded to the CAL Committee.
Members noted the following correspondence:
Letter from the minister advising of his position in relation to planning application W/2008/0749/O.
E-mail from Ringsend Group in relation to the Cam Road Landfill Application.
Updated summary of the Committee for the Environment end of session report.
Key outcomes and summary documents from the Regional Transition Co-Ordinating Group.
February issue of re:Source.
Departmental response to Committee request in relation to the Recast of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Directive.
12. Any other business
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 25 February 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at12.54 p.m.