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:- 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 10.32am.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2001 were agreed.

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(a) Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (NI) 2001

The Committee discussed this Rule and agreed the following Motion:-

"That the Environment Committee has considered the Road Traffic (Fixed Penalty) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule."

Ms C Hanna joined the meeting at 10.43am.

Agreed:- That a letter should be sent to the Department urging the retention of all fines for investment in Road Safety measures.

1. Ferry proposal - an economic appraisal is awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council;
2. Local Government Elections - the Secretary of State is to reply on his plans for Local Council elections.
3. Water (NI) Order 1999 - outstanding questions have been sent to the Department;
4. Costs Recovery Scheme - outstanding questions have been sent to the Department.

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The Committee discussed an options paper on an "exception clause" for use of the "3 for 2" seating concession.

Agreed: The Committee agreed on option (ii) with some additional conditions.

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The Committee discussed the matter.

Agreed:- That Members would read all of the papers to date and re-consider the issue at next week's meeting.

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The Committee discussed the reply from the Historic Buildings Council on the effect of the moratorium and letters from the Department on the increased funding.

Agreed:- That a letter should be sent to the Department:-

(i) expressing concern at the ongoing moratorium; and

(ii) asking what will be done to avoid a repetition in future years.

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The following Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 11.25am:-
Pat Quinn
Jim Thompson

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 12.15pm.

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The Committee considered requests from two groups to give presentations to the Committee.

Agreed:- That the Committee will receive presentations from:-

(i) The RSPB on the protection of ASSIs; and

(ii) the Belfast Metropolitan Residents Group on the proposed Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.

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The following Officials from the Department joined the meeting at 12.17pm:-
Richard Rogers
Graham Seymour
Brian Murphy

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 12.45pm.

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The Committee discussed the proposal to increase charges.

Agreed:- (i) The Committee had no comments to make on the proposed changes at this stage; and

(ii) The Department should be asked to ensure that there will be sufficient time to consider the finalised revised Scheme.

The Committee discussed the proposed Rule.

Agreed:- That the Committee would not decide on a response until it was known if this Rule brought in higher standards than in place at present.

The Committee discussed the proposed implementation.

Agreed:- That the Committee:-

(i) had no comment to make at this stage; and

(ii) recommended that the RNID should also be consulted at the appropriate time.

The Committee discussed the proposed Rule and agreed the following Motion:-

"That the Environment Committee has considered the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regns (NI) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule."

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The next meeting will be held at 10.15am on Thursday, 1 March 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

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The meeting closed at 12.51pm.