Present were:-
Rev Dr Wm McCrea MP (Chairperson)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr D Watson

Apologies:-
Mrs J Carson
Mr J Leslie

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 10.30am.

The minutes of the meeting of 3 May 2001 were agreed.

Mr D McClarty joined the meeting at 10.32am.

2.Matters arising from previous meetings

The Committee discussed responses from the Department and further information from the Committee of the Centre.

Agreed:To provide comments to the Committee of the Centre, as discussed.

(a) Proposed ferry crossing - the outcome of the economic appraisal from Newry and Mourne District Council is awaited;
(b) Hare Coursing - further legal advice is awaited from the Department; and
(c) DVTA Fees - a reply is awaited from the Department.

3. Department's Forward Work Programme

The Committee discussed the draft Work Programme for April - June 2001.

Mr M McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.49am.

The Committee discussed the SL1 for the above Rule.

Agreed: To ask for Officials from the Department to give a presentation on this Rule at a future meeting.

The Committee noted the Report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules. The following Motion was put and agreed by the Committee:-

"That the Environment Committee has considered the Community Drivers' (Foot and Mouth) (Temporary Extension) (No 2) Regulations (NI) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule."

The Committee noted the letters from the Examiner of Statutory Rules and the Department regarding the timing of laying Statutory Rules.

Ms C Hanna, Mr A Doherty, Mr D Ford, Mr D McClarty and Mr M Murphy expressed an interest as Local Councillors before this item was discussed.

The Committee discussed a letter from the above Group regarding production of their Waste Management Plan for the Department.

Agreed:
(i) To write to the Department urging it to take into account the difficulties arising from the current Foot and Mouth Disease and forthcoming elections in the production of Waste Management Plans; and

(ii) to copy the Committee's letter to the other Groups producing Waste Management Plans.

The Committee discussed a proposed prospecting licence application and the views of the Department on this application.

Agreed: To write to DETI to clarify issues in relation to:-

(i) the consultation arrangements with the public;

(ii) the rights of local landowners;

(iii) liaison arrangements with EHS; and

(iv)the policy of informing the Committee on all applications.

The Committee discussed the Department's Consultation Document on the above matter.

Agreed: To put the agreed questions to the Department, including the issue of reciprocation of charges.

(b)Implementation of EC Directive 1999/32/EC Sulphur Content of Certain Liquid Fuels

The Committee discussed the Department's Consultation Document on the above matter.

Agreed: To put the agreed questions to the Department, highlighting the impact on the Agriculture and Fisheries industries.

The Committee discussed the Department's Consultation Document on the above matter.

The Committee considered Members' comments on the latest Draft Report and received an update form the Clerk to the Committee on the work of the Specialist Advisor.

Agreed: To discuss the Advisor's Report at next week's meeting.

(a)Letter from Social Development Committee

The Committee discussed a letter from the above Committee regarding a forthcoming Inquiry.

Agreed: To reply asking to be kept informed of any issues relevant to the Environment Committee.

Dr McCrea joined the meeting at 11.28am

Mr M Murphy declared an interest before this item was discussed.

The Committee discussed a response from the Department on the outcome of the planning application for Warrenpoint Harbour.

Agreed: To forward the Department's letter to the relevant Resident's Group.

The Chairperson spoke of an article in today's newspapers regarding the above matter.

Agreed: To copy the article to each Member.

(d) Future Committee Meetings

The Committee discussed arrangements for future meetings.

Agreed: To discuss this again at next week's meeting.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held in Room 144, Parliament Buildings on Thursday, 17 May 2001 at 10.30am.

The meeting closed at 11.39am.

Dr Wm McCrea MP MLA
Committee Chairperson