Proceedings of the Environment Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Thursday, 8 June 2000
in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

1.Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Presentation by the Minister
4. New Matters
5. Other Matters
6. Committee's Programme of Work
7. Date of Next Meeting

Present were: Rev. Dr W McCrea (Chairman)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

In Attendance: Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie ( Executive Support)
Mr J Nulty ( Administrative Support)

Apologies: Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr T Benson
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy

The meeting commenced at 10.33am.

The Chairman and Members sent best wishes to Ms Hanna and looked forward to her speedy recovery from illness.

1. Minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2000 were agreed.

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2 Matters arising.

1. Meetings' schedule.

The problem has still to be resolved.

2. Report from the Department about the overcrowding of school buses and insurance for taxis used in school transport.

Members noted the Department's response but were still concerned about the safety implications for school children on buses and the adequacy of insurance of buses and taxis used for school transport.

Agreed: That the Committee will hold an Inquiry after the recess.

That the Clerk will draw up draft terms of reference for the Inquiry for consideration at a future meeting.

3. The impact of the error in the Highway Code.

Members noted the Department's response.

Agreed: That the Clerk should write to the Department seeking clarification on when the updated leaflet will be issued and if it is possible to provide the updated information to applicants when they register for their driving test.

Mr Leslie joined the meeting at 10.45am.

4. The McQuillan Skip Hire case.

   (Mr Ford declared an interest)

   Agreed: That the officers of Antrim Borough Council are invited to meet the Committee and discuss the case.

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3 Presentation by the Minister

At 10.50am the Minister and his senior officials joined the meeting. The officials were:

Mr Stephen Quinn Permanent Secretary
Mr Felix Dillon Deputy Secretary
Mr Dick MacKenzie Deputy Secretary
Mr David Thompson Director of Corporate Services

The Minister updated the Committee on the key issues and policies facing the Department. He and his officials answered questions from the Committee. The issues discussed were:

• The Department's, and its Agencies', Corporate and Business plans;
• The draft Equality Scheme;
• A New Targeting Social Need (TSN) action plan;
• Waste Management Strategy;
• The draft UK Climate Change programme;
• Sustainable Development incorporating Strategy 2010, New TSN and the Regional Development Strategy;
• Difficulties with resources and the process of recruiting qualified staff;
• Planning issues including Area Plans;
• Local Government and the General Exchequer Grant;
• Road Safety;
• Policy proposals on dangerous and wild animals;
• The construction of masts.

Mr Poots left the meeting at 11.17am.
He returned at 11.20am

The Chairman thanked the Minister and his officials and they left the meeting at 11.48am.

Mr Watson left the meeting at 11.48am.

1. Waste Management Strategy.

Members noted that the Strategy has been published.

2. The Department's budget.

Agreed: The Clerk will prepare a letter for the Chairman to send to the Minister covering the Committee's concerns about the budget. The letter will be copied to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

That the Clerk will follow up a number of specific issues about the budget with the Department.

3. General Exchequer Grant.

The Committee noted the paper from the Department.

Mr Leslie left at 11.56am

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4. New matters.

1. Draft Equality Scheme.

Agreed: That an analysis of the Department's scheme will be obtained for the next meeting.

That officials from the Department will be present to answer questions.

That Committee staff will prepare a list of questions.

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2. Draft UK Climate Change Programme

Agreed: Officials from the Department will be invited to the meeting scheduled for 22 June 2000 to discuss the subject.

3. Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust (NIVT)

The Committee noted the paper.

4. Draft Planning Policy Statement 7 - Quality Residential Environments.

Agreed: Ms Hilary Heslip from the Planning Service will be asked to attend the meeting of 22 June 2000 to discuss the statement.

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5. Other matters.

1. Matters outstanding at suspension.

   These matters will be pursued with the Department.

2. Reports issued by the Department since suspension.

   The Committee noted the paper.

3. Paper on use of Senate Chamber for Committee meetings.

   The Committee noted the instructions contained in the paper.

4. Application for expansion of landfill site at Mallusk.

   Agreed: Representatives of the Campaign Against Landfill at Mallusk (CALM) will be invited to discuss the matter at the meeting of 15 June 2000.

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6. Committee's programme of work.

Agreed: The Clerk will prepare a programme of work for the Committee for next week's meeting. The programme will include the outstanding presentations.

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7. Date of next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 15 June 2000 at 10.30am in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 12.10pm.

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10 February 2000 / Menu / 15 June 2000