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 D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

In attendance:- Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Miss M Devine (Administrative Support)

The meeting commenced at 10.32am.

The minutes of the meeting of 29 March 2001 were agreed.

1. Proposed ferry crossing - the outcome of the economic appraisal from Newry and Mourne District Council is awaited; and
2. Hare Coursing - a reply is awaited from the Department.

Mr D McClarty joined the meeting at 10.35am.

The Committee discussed the allocation of these funds and a response from the Department about the bids submitted.

Agreed: To write to the Department about what other bids were considered but not submitted and how funding was obtained for the Road Safety Campaign.

The following Rules were discussed by the Committee:-

1. Motor Hackney Carriages (Belfast) By-Laws
2. The Community Drivers' Hours (Foot-and Mouth Disease) (Temporary Exception) (No 2) Regns (NI) 2001

Agreed: The Committee had no comment to make on the Rules at this stage.

Mr J Leslie joined the meeting at 10.40am.

The Committee considered a letter from a resident in Jordanstown about the removal of trees and a response from the Department on this issue.

Agreed: (i) To ask for Officials from the Department to come before the Committee to discuss the present legislation and its enforcement;

(ii) To issue a Press Statement on the subject; and

(iii) To copy the Department's response to the resident who raised the issue.

Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 10.55am.

Dr David Erwin and Mr Jim Kitchen joined the meeting at 10.55am and gave a presentation on the results of the recent survey of the NI coastline and the need for the setting up of a Coastal Forum. After their presentation, they answered questions from the Members.

The Chairman thanked Dr Erwin and Mr Kitchen for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.35am.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to support the concept of a Coastal Forum in principle.

Mr E Poots joined the meeting at 11.45am.

The Committee discussed a letter addressed to the Committee.

Agreed: To send a reply as discussed.

The following Members declared an interest as Local Councillors:

Dr Wm McCrea, Ms C Hanna, Mr A Doherty, Mr D McClarty, Mrs J Carson, Mr M Murphy, Mr D Ford and Mr E Poots.

The Committee discussed a draft response to the Department's Consultation Document on this issue.

Agreed: To amend the suggested response as agreed and, having cleared it with a representative from each Party on the Committee, to forward this to the Department.

Mr D McClarty left the meeting at 12.17pm.

The Committee discussed a draft response to the Department's Consultation Document on this issue.

Mr D Ford left the meeting at 12.29pm.

Agreed: (i) To respond to the Department as suggested; and

(ii) To issue a Press Release on Monday, 9 April 2001.

The Committee discussed a draft response to the draft Consultation Document from DRD on this issue.

Agreed: To respond, as amended, by the Committee.

The Committee acknowledged the efforts required in preparing the significant number of drafts and other papers needed for this week's meeting and thanked the staff.

The meeting closed at 12.40pm.