COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 29 APRIL 2010,
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Roy Beggs
Mr Cathal Boylan (Chairperson)
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Peter Weir
Mr Jonathan Bell
Mr John Dallat
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Dr Alex McGarel (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Nathan McVeigh (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Antoinette Bowen (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Dominic Bradley
Mr Danny Kinahan
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Daithi McKay
The meeting began in public session at 10.14a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting on 22 April 2010 were agreed.
3. Ministerial Briefing on the road safety strategy consultation
The Minister briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as a member of Carrickfergus Road Safety Committee.
The main areas of discussion were driver training, testing, graduated driving licenses, drink driving limits, drug driving, motorcyclists, driver behaviour, enforcement, north/south co-operation, illegal driving instructors, road conditions, funding for the strategy and education.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking if spot checks are carried out on driving instructors in relation to the monitoring of trainees and, if so, can figures be provided. The Committee would also like to know if the qualified instructor’s licence would be at risk if he/she failed to carry out monitoring.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 11.10a.m.
The Minister also briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the redeployment of Planning Service staff.
Agreed: That the Department forwards a copy of the report on the grades and locations of posts affected.
4. PSNI briefing on the road safety strategy consultation
The PSNI briefed the Committee on the Road Safety Strategy Consultation.
The main areas of discussion were driving instructors, the condition of rural roads, education, speed limits, unroadworthy vehicles, car safety and speed cameras.
5. Matters Arising
Members noted the Department’s programme of work – April–July 2010.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental reply to Committee queries on the use of the acronym ‘NOP’ in the strategic planning applications update discussed at the meeting on 15 April.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department stating that if acronyms are to be used in future replies that a footnote with full definitions of the acronyms is included.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a Departmental letter regarding publication of their Business Plan 2010 – 2011.
Agreed: That discussion of the Business Plan is deferred until a later meeting.
The Chairperson informed members that he met with the Minister on Monday 26 April to discuss redeployment within the Planning Service and subsequently issued a press statement and a note of the meeting which were circulated to members.
Agreed: That a further press release is issued following the briefing from the Minister.
The Chairperson informed members they had been provided with a draft motion to extend, a public notice and a stakeholders list in relation to the Local Government (Finance) Bill.
Agreed: That the motion to extend is lodged with the Business Office, that the public notice is published in the 3 main newspapers and that letters calling for submissions are sent to the organisations on the stakeholders list.
6. Proposals for secondary legislation
SL 1 - The Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment & Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
7. Consultations
Departmental response to comments made during the consultation on Local Government Pension Scheme classroom assistants amendment
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Department asking for clarification on why classroom assistants, who are appointed by education and library boards, are included in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Agreed: That that the response is forwarded to the Committee for Education for comment.
Retrofitting and refilling of mobile air conditioning systems used in passenger cars and car-derived vans – synopsis of responses to consultationAgreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
Future of bus operator licensing - draft consultation document
Agreed: That a synopsis of responses to the consultation is requested.
EC infraction proceedings concerning construction and use regulation on width of trailers
Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.
8. Correspondence
Departmental response to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure’s request regarding the promotion of townland names.
Agreed: That the letter is forwarded to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
E-mail regarding the need for the NIEA to develop a new Pollution Prevention Strategy.
Agreed: That the e-mail is forwarded to the NIEA for comment.
Letter regarding the Irish Hare Initiative’s concerns on the Irish Hare.
Agreed: That a response is sent indicating that the Committee stage of the Bill is complete and that the letter is forwarded to the Department for comment.
Email regarding the clearing of litter and flood debris from a stretch of stream below Brett Martin Plastics factory at Mullusk.
Agreed: That the e-mail is forwarded to the NIEA for comment.
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
NIIRTA news, 10 th Anniversary and 2010 General Election Special.
Letter re information on the upcoming ‘Banks of the Ballinderry Fair 2010’.
9. Any other business
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 20 May 2010 at 10.00a.m in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.55p.m.