| Membership | What's Happening | Committees | Publications | Assembly Commission | General Info | Job Opportunities | Help |
|
Proceedings of the Environment Committee 1. Minutes of last meeting Present were: Rev. Dr W McCrea MP (Chairman) In Attendance: Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee
Clerk) Apologies: Mr T Benson The meeting commenced at 10.02am.with Ms C Hanna in the Chair. 1. Minutes of last meeting. The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2000 were agreed. 2. Matters Arising (a) Reply from the Department regarding provision and maintenance of open spaces. The Committee noted the reply from the Department. (b) Correspondence from Friends of the Earth, Lisburn. Mr E Poots declared an interest as a Councillor on Lisburn Borough Council. The Committee discussed the letter from the Friends of the Earth. Agreed: (i) That the Committee would not get involved in the individual case; (ii) That the letter should be sent to the Department highlighting the members' areas of concern; (iii) That a letter should be sent to Friends of the Earth advising them of the Committee's decision. (c) Granting of Licences to capture live Hares for Coursing. The Committee discussed the Department's response to the letter from Mr Crozier. Agreed: (i) That the Department should be asked to provide details of how it monitors those to whom licences have been granted and especially the capture and release of the hares; (ii) That Mr Crozier's letter should be forwarded to the Department of Social Development for comment, through the relevant Committee. (d) Replies are awaited on the following: (i) Proposed ferry - an economic appraisal is awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council; (ii) Historic Buildings Grant - the Historic Buildings Council (HBC) is to reply about the effects of the moratorium; (iii) Relationship of the HBC with the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) - a reply is awaited from the HBC; (iv) RSPB approach regarding ASSIs - a reply is awaited from the Department; (v) Local Government Elections - the Secretary of State has written to the Chairman to say that he will reply shortly; (vi) Public Hire Taxi Drivers Association - a number of questions have been sent to the Department; vii) Work-in Progress draft Road Safety Strategy document - this has been requested from the Department. Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 10.18am. 3. Public Inquiry into transport used by children travelling to and from school. (a) At 10.18am the Committee began to take
evidence from representatives of the Northern Ireland Private Coach Operators
Association - After a short presentation, the representatives answered questions from the members. Dr McCrea joined the meeting at 10.42am. The Chairman thanked the representatives for their presentation and they left the meeting at 10.55am. (b) At 10.56am the Committee began to take
evidence from representatives of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools:- After a short presentation, the representatives answered questions from the members. The Chairman thanked the representatives for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.53pm. 4. Telecommunication Masts Consultation Document (a) At 11.54am the following officials
from the Department joined the meeting:- After a short presentation, the officials answered questions from the members. The Chairman thanked them for their attendance and the officials left the meeting at 12.54pm. Mr D Ford left the meeting at 12.55pm. (b) Letter from Mr Graham regarding mobile phones and masts The Committee discussed the letter received Mr Graham.. Agreed: (i) That Mr Graham should be asked to put his full comments in writing for consideration by the Committee; (ii) That the Committee should obtain the equivalent Consultation Documents on Telecommunication Masts issued in England, Scotland and Wales. (iii) That the written questions before the Committee should be sent to the Department for comment and the Department should be asked to extend the closing date for consultation. (iv) That a list of interested groups and other sources of information should be prepared for the next meeting of the Committee. 5. Statutory Rule Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 The Committee discussed the Regulations. Agreed: That the Committee will not comment on the Regulation at this stage but will wait until it is laid in the Assembly. 6. Review of the Legislative Process in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Committee discussed the recent letter from the Committee on Procedures. Agreed: That the Clerk would prepare a discussion paper for the meeting on 11 January 2001. 7. Date of next meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 11 January 2001 at 10.15am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting closed at 1.05pm. 7 December 2000 / Menu / 16 January 2001 |
| Home| Today's Business| Questions | Official Report| Legislation| Site Map| Links| Feedback| Search |