Proceedings of the Environment Committee

Minutes of meeting held on Thursday, 29 June 2000
in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present were: Rev. Dr W McCrea (Chairman)
Mr T Benson
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
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)

The meeting commenced at 10.32. The Committee expressed best wishes to Ms Hanna.

Mr McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.33am.

1. Minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2000 were agreed.

2 Matters arising.

(a) Planning approvals.

The Department's reply is awaited.

(b) Regional Development Strategy (RDS)

Members noted the reply from the Department.

(c) New TSN

The Committee agreed to return to this matter at next week's meeting when further information will be available.

Mrs Carson joined the meeting at 10.33am.

(d) Programme for Government

The Committee agreed a response to the Minister's letter.

At this stage the Committee met in public session.

3 Draft Climate Change Programme.

Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 10.56am. They were

Mr Jim Lamont Chief Executive, Environment and Heritage Service
Mr Roger Lightbody Principle Officer, Environment and Heritage Service

They gave a presentation on the Northern Ireland position in relation to the draft Climate Change Programme and answered Members' questions on the subject.

Mr Leslie left the meeting at 11.15am
He returned at 11.18am.
Mr McLaughlin left the meeting at 11.28am.
Mr Benson left the meeting at 11.38am.

4 Environmental aspects of the RDS.

Mr Lightbody left the meeting at 11.38am. Mr Lamont was joined by

Mr Felix Dillon Deputy Secretary
Mr John Faulkner Director, Natural Heritage

They gave a presentation on the environmental aspects of the RDS and answered Members' questions.

Mr Doherty left the meeting at 12.02pm.
He returned at 12.08pm.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 12.09pm.

The officials left the meeting at 12.19. The meeting returned to closed session.

Agreed: The Chairman should write to the Regional Development Committee Chairman on the aspects of the RDS relevant to the Environment Committee.

5 AOB

(a) Farm land planning easement scheme.

The Committee received a letter from Mr Paisley Jnr.

Agreed: That clarification be sought about which Department is responsible for policy.

6 Date of next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 6 July 2000 at 10.30am in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 12.31pm.

22 June 2000 / Menu / 07 July 2000