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Proceedings of the Environment Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 1 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present were:-
Rev Dr Wm McCrea MP (Chairman)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
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:-
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Miss M Devine (Administrative Support)

Apologies:-
Mr T Hamilton

The meeting commenced at 10.34am.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2001 were agreed.

Mr E Poots joined the meeting at 10.36am.

2. Matters arising from previous meeting

(a) Telecommunication Masts

The Committee Clerk gave an update on the ongoing research on the consultation document issued by the Department.

Mr M Murphy joined the meeting at 10.40am.

(b) The Committee noted the following replies outstanding:-

Ferry proposal - an economic appraisal is awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council;
Local Government Elections - the Secretary of State is to reply on his plans for this year's Local Council elections;
Hare Coursing - letters have been sent to both the DoE and DSD;
Public Hire Taxi Drivers Association - their comments are awaited on the Department's response;
Historic Buildings Grant - the Historic Buildings Council (HBC) is to comment on the effect of the moratorium;
Relationship of the HBC with the Environment and Heritage Service - a reply is awaited from the HBC.

3. Programme of forthcoming Presentations and Evidence Sessions.

The Committee noted the details of the forthcoming Presentations and Evidence Sessions for the month of February.

Mr J Leslie joined the meeting at 10.48am.

4. Public Service Agreement.

The Committee discussed the Department's Public Service Agreement to be included in the Programme for Government.

Agreed:- Accepted some suggestions on additional text.

Mrs D Pritchard joined the meeting at 10.50am.

5. Public Inquiry into the Transport used by Children travelling to and from School.

(a) Education and Library Boards

The following officials, representing the Education and Library Boards, joined the meeting at 11.00am:-

Mr Arthur Rainey
Mr Brian McClean
Mrs Mairead Maguire

After a short presentation the officials answered questions from the members.

The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.46am.

(b) Translink

The following officials, from Translink, joined the meeting at 11.47am:-

Mr Andy Watt
Mr David Cowan

After a short presentation, the officials answered questions from the members.

Mr J Leslie left the meeting at 12.03pm.
Mr E Poots left the meeting at 12.07pm.

The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.15pm.

The meeting moved into Closed Session at 12.16pm.

6. Deliberations on Draft Report of Inquiry into the Transport use by Children travelling to and from School

The Committee considered the first draft of a Report.

Agreed:- That a second draft should be prepared following the decisions of the Committee and the further evidence received.

Mrs D Pritchard left the meeting at 12.37pm.

7. Letter to the Chairman.

The Committee discussed the response from the Department.

Agreed:- That further papers should be sent to members.

8. AOB

The Committee noted the recent Quality Award to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency.

Agreed:- That a letter of congratulations should be sent to the Agency on behalf of the Committee.

9. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held at 10.30am on Thursday, 8 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 12.40pm.

25 January 2001 / Menu / 8 February 2001