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Proceedings of the Environment Committee 1. Minutes of last meeting Present were:- Rev Dr Wm McCrea MP (Chairman) In attendance:- Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk) Apologies:- Mr D Ford The meeting commenced at 10.34am. 1. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2001 were agreed. 2. Matters arising from previous meeting (a) Historic Buildings Grant The Committee noted receipt of the responses and that this matter will be scheduled for next week's meeting. (b) The Committee noted the following replies outstanding:-
3. Radioactive Discharges to the Environment The Committee discussed its response to the Consultation Document. Agreed:- That a response to the DoE should be made in line with the views of the Committee. 4. Hare Coursing The Committee discussed the responses from DoE and the Department of Social Development. Agreed:- That a letter should be sent to the DoE advising of the Committee's views and asking what action the Department intends to take. 5. Waste Management - Update The following Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 10.52am:- After giving their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members. Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 11.13am. The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 11.51am. Mr A Doherty left the meeting at 11.52am. 6. Road Safety Strategy Draft Consultation Document The following Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 11.53am:- After giving their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members. The Chairman thanked the officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.31am. Agreed:- That outstanding questions on this topic should be sent to the Department for reply. 7. Proposal to remove the 45mph Speed Limit on Learner Drivers. The following Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 12.33am:- After giving their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members. The Chairman thanked the Officials for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.48am. Agreed:- That a letter should be sent to the Department giving a cautious welcome to this proposal. 8. Public Hire Taxi Drivers Association - Update The Chairman advised the Committee of the recent meeting he and the Deputy Chairperson had with representatives of the Association and the Minister, Mr Sam Foster. 9. Best Value - Update. The Committee discussed the way forward on this issue. Agreed:- (i) To invite Newtownards, Belfast and Craigavon Councils to give presentations to the Committee; (ii) To copy all of the replies received from Councils to Members. 10. NI Spring Supplementary Estimates 2000/01 and Vote on Account 2001/02. The Committee noted the papers supplied by the Committee for Finance and Personnel. 11. Statutory Rules (a) Single Vehicle Approval Scheme This Rule will be laid in the Assembly and referred to the Committee for scrutiny. The Committee had no comment on the Rule. (b) The following Rules had been before the Committee earlier and referred for further investigation (i) Motor Testing Regulations (NI) 1995, Goods Vehicle Testing Regulations (NI) 1995, Public Service Vehicles Testing Regulations (NI) 1985; (ii) Local Governmnet (Discretionary Payments) Regulations (NI) 2001; (iii) The Historic Monuments (Class Consents) Order (NI) 2001 (iv) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Taxis) (Carrying of Guide Dogs, Etc.) Regulations (NI) 2001; (v) Implementation of European Council Directive 1999/32/EC on the Sulphur content of certain Liquid Fuels in Northern Ireland. The Committee were advised of the outcome of the investigations and were satisfied to make no comment on the Rules. (c) Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (NI) 2001 The Committee discussed this Rule. Agreed:- That before making a decision on this Rule, the Committee would like to know where the monies raised through Fixed Penalty offences are paid into and whether they can be used to finance Road Safety measures. The Committee moved into Closed Session at 1.11am. 12. Letter to the Chairman. The Committee discussed the matter. Agreed:- (i) That a proposed letter taking the matter forward should be sent to Members; (ii) That this issue would be referred to next week's meeting and scheduled for the beginning of the meeting. 13. Deliberations on Draft Report of Inquiry into the Transport used by Children travelling to and from School. The Committee briefly discussed a paper prepared by the Clerk. Agreed:- That this issue would be referred to next week's meeting. 14. Telecommunication Masts - Update The Committee received an update on the ongoing action being taken on this matter. 15. Date of next meeting The next meeting will be held at 10.30am on Thursday, 22 February 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting closed at 1.18pm. 8 February 2001 / Menu / 22 February 2001 |
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