1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Matters arising
3. Telecommunication Masts Consultation Document
4. Capturing of Live Hares for Coursing
5. Statutory Rules
6. Removal of Speed Limit on Learner Drivers
7. Inquiry into transport used by children travelling to and from school
8. AOB
9. Date of next meeting

Present were:- Rev Dr Wm McCrea MP (Chairman)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

In Attendance:- Mrs D Pritchard (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Miss M Devine (Administrative Support)

Apologies:- Mr J Leslie

The meeting commenced at 2.01pm.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2000 were agreed.

Top

1. Reply from DoE regarding ASSIs

The Committee discussed the reply from the Department.

Agreed:- To invite officials from the Department to brief the Committee on legislative plans.

2. Road Safety Strategy Document.

The Department had forwarded a work-in-progress copy of the draft document and this was discussed by the Committee.

Agreed:- (i) To refer the document to the Assembly researchers for comment;

(ii) That the Clerk would prepare a paper on the subject for the Committee; and

(iii) To invite officials from the Department to brief the Committee.

3. Review of the legislative process

The Committee discussed the response to be sent to the Committee on Procedures.

Agreed:- That the Clerk would sent a response on behalf of the Committee.

4. Response from the Department regarding the letter to Friends of the Earth.

The Committee discussed the Department's response.

Agreed:- (i) That the Clerk would write to the Department to ensure that the error in the draft document was properly considered by the Department when assessing the recommendations of the Planning Appeal Commission; and

(ii) That the Clerk should write to Friends of the Earth to advise on the action taken.

5. Replies outstanding

1. Proposed ferry - an economic assessment is awaited from Mourne and District Council;
2. Historic Buildings Grant - the Historic Buildings Council (HBC) is to reply on the effects of the moratorium;
3. The relationship of the HBC with the Environment and Heritage Service - a reply is awaited from the HBC;
4. Local Government Elections - a reply is awaited from the Office of the Secretary of State;
5. Public Hire Taxi Drivers - a reply is awaited from the Department to the questions sent.

Top

The Committee noted that responses to their questions were still awaited from other Departments and that the Department had extended the closing date for comments to 16 February 2001.

Agreed:- (i) To refer the Document and all the replies to the Assembly Researchers for comment; and

(ii) To consider input from other interested parties.

Top

The Committee discussed the responses from both the Department of Environment and the Department of Social Development.

Agreed:- (i) That the Clerk would write again to both Departments with further questions from the Committee; and

(ii) To obtain details of the databank held by the Ulster Museum to assess the hare population.

Top

The Committee discussed their procedures for commenting on Statutory Rules and this one in particular.

Agreed:- (i) That the Clerk should write to the other parties being consulted to ask about their concerns;

(ii) That the Rule should be referred to the Assembly Researchers to ascertain the position in relation to similar legislation the rest of the UK.

Top

The Committee discussed the Department's proposal and considered the summary of the Assembly's Researchers.

Agreed:- To invite officials from the Department to brief the Committee on this proposal and any proposals to amend the "R" plate rules.

Top

The Committee discussed a document summarising the issues arising out of the Inquiry.

Agreed:- (i) That the Clerk should prepare a first draft report for consideration by the Committee at their meeting on 25 January 2001;

(ii) To ask the Assembly Researchers for an update on the legislative position within the EU.

Top

The Committee noted with regret the death of Mr Tom Benson MLA, member of the Committee. The Chair advised the Committee that he had sent a letter of condolence on their behalf to Mrs Anne Benson.

Top

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 18 January 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings at 10.30am.

Top

The meeting closed at 3.10pm.