Present were:-
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr D Ford
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies:-
Rev Dr Wm McCrea (Chairperson)
Mr A Doherty

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 10.35am. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson took the Chair.

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 14 June 2001 were agreed.

Mrs J Carson joined the meeting at 10.36am.

2. Matters arising from previous meetings

(a)Telecommunication Masts

The Committee discussed the recent decision of the Executive Committee to opt for full planning permission for all Masts.

Agreed: To write to the Department for more information and for details of the timetable for the proposed legislation.

(b) Coastal Forum

The Committee discussed the letter, dated 12 June 2001, from the Minister.

Agreed: (i) To write to the Department regarding the proposed timetable for the establishment of the Forum and estimated costs; and

(ii) To copy the Minister's letter to Coastwatch Europe and to ask if any interim measures have been put in place.

Mr E Poots joined the meeting at 10.46am.

(c) Mineral Development Act

The Committee discussed a reply from DETI to their questions on the above Act.

Agreed: To write to DETI with further questions.

(d) Executive Programme Funds

The Committee discussed a letter from the Department on its consideration of bids for the above funds.

Mr J Leslie joined the meeting at 10.53am.

Mr David Thomson, Director of Corporate Services, and Mr John Small, Principal Officer in Finance Division, joined the meeting at 10.53am and gave a presentation on the Estimates for 2001/02, Procedures for 2002/03 Departmental Budgets and the DoE element of the Executive's Position Report. After their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members.

Mr J Leslie left the meeting at 11.25am.

The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.36am.

Agreed: To write to the Department to ask for more detailed information on the DoE aspects of the Executive's Position Report.

4. Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (NI) 2001

Mr George Dillon, Mr David Walker and Dr Clive Beatty joined the meeting at 11.38am and gave a presentation on the above proposed Rule. After their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members.

The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.53am.

Agreed: That the Committee had no comment to make on the proposed Rule.

5. Motor Vehicle Testing (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2001

Mr Brian Watson, Chief Executive, Mr Stanley Duncan, Director of Administrtaion and Mr Brian Morrison, Deputy Chief Examiner, joined the meeting at 11.55am and gave a presentation on the above proposed Rule. After their presentation, the Officials answered questions from the Members.

The Chairperson thanked the Officials for their presentation and they left the meeting at 12.03pm.

Agreed: That, subject to the removal of Appendix C proposals, the Committee had no comment to make on the proposed Rule.

6. Local Government (Discretionary Payments) Regulations (NI) 2001.

The Committee discussed a Consultation Document from the Department on the above proposed Rule.

Agreed: That the Committee had no comment to make on the Consultation Document.

7. Further Matters Arising

(a) Update on the Taxi Industry.

The Committee discussed a letter from the Department on the current measures to address problems within the taxi industry.

Agreed: (i) To copy the Department's letter to the representatives of the taxi industry and ask for comments; and

(ii) To assess the Department's response against the earlier presentations on concerns from the taxi industry.

8. Local Government (Best Value Bill)

(Ms C Hanna, Mr E Poots, Mr M Murphy and Mr D McClarty declared an interest as Local Councillors before the following item was discussed)

The Committee discussed the decision of the Executive Committee on the options for the way forward on this matter.

Agreed: To write to the Department with the concerns of the Committee.

Mr E Poots left the meeting at 12.18pm.

9. Replies Outstanding

(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;
(c) Listed Substances Consultation Document - a reply is awaited from the Department;
(d) Water Order (1999) - a reply is awaited from the Department;
(e) Ballyrickard Landfill Site - update awaited; and
(f) Giant's Causeway - reply awaited from Moyle District Council and the Department.

Mr D McClarty left the meeting at 12.20pm.

(a) Partners in Protection - ASSIs

The Committee considered a draft response to the above Consultation Document.

Agreed: To respond as discussed.

(b) IPC Order (NI) 1997 - Increased Charges

The Committee considered a draft response to the above Consultation Document.

Agreed: To respond as discussed.

(c) Sulphur Content in Certain Liquid Fuels

The Committee considered a draft response to the above Consultation Document.

Agreed: To respond as discussed.

Mr E Poots rejoined the meeting at 12.31pm.

THE COMMITTEE MOVED INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 12.32pm.

11. Consideration of Suggested Amendments from the Specialist Advisers on the School Transport Draft Public Inquiry Report.

The Committee discussed the suggested amendments.

Agreed: (i) To accept, subject to some minor amendments, the revised Summary of Recommendations from TAS; and

(ii) to consider further the revised Draft at next week's meeting.

12. Road Safety Strategy Consultation Document

The Committee discussed a response to above Consultation Document.

Agreed: That the Committee Secretariat should prepare a draft response for the Committee's consideration.

13. Letters to the Committee - requests for Presentations

(a) Historic Building Council

The Committee considered a letter from the HBC about concerns on the future of the Built Heritage in Northern Ireland along with a response from the Department.

Agreed: (i) To arrange a meeting with representatives from the HBC and Committee Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson; and

(ii) To copy the Department's response to the HBC for their comments.

(b) Black Mountain Environmental Group

The Committee considered a letter highlighting the Group's concerns on the ongoing quarrying on the Black Mountain.

Agreed: To arrange for a presentation at a future meeting.

(c) Bryson House - Belfast Hills Trust

The Committee considered a letter from Bryson House, along with two other letters, asking for support for the creation of a Belfast Hills Trust.

Agreed: (i) To arrange for a presentation at a future meeting; and

(ii) To write to the Department for the current position.

14. PPS 11 - Planning and Waste Management

The Committee considered the Consultation Document on the above matter.

Agreed: To write to the Department with the issues agreed by the Committee.

15. AOB

Research, Development and Innovation Strategy

The Committee discussed a minute from the Chairperson of the ETI Committee.

Agreed: To advise the Chairperson of the ETI Committee that the Committee should be notified of any relevant environmental issues identified within the Strategy.

16. Date of next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 June 2001 at 10.15am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 1.03 pm.

Dr Wm McCrea MLA
Committee Chairperson