Present were:- Rev Dr Wm McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies:- Mr D McClarty

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 5 July 2001 were agreed.

The Committee considered a letter from Newry and Mourne Council regarding the delay in completing the economic assessment for the proposed ferry.

The Committee discussed arrangements for the seminar on 20 November 2001 in the Long Gallery.

Agreed: To invite Nicky Gavron as a second speaker.

Committee Members were reminded that nominations could still be made for the seminar of 12 September 2001.

The Committee discussed a letter sent to the Department asking for some details to inform the discussions of the draft 2002 - 03 Budget and proposed Programme for Government. The Committee was particularly concerned about the £3.5m allocated for Waste Management.

Agreed: To invite the relevant parties to discuss the funding, plans and progress of the implementation of the Waste Management Strategy.

The Committee considered a reply from the Department regarding sand extraction at Cloughey Beach and coastal protection.

Agreed: (i) To copy the letter to residents from Cloughey with a covering letter from the Committee;

(ii) To write to the Department regarding progress on the establishment of a Coastal Forum.

(i) Ballyrickard Landfill Site - update awaited;

Mr Andy Harrison, Department Official, joined the meeting at 10.53am and gave a short presentation on the SL1 on the proposed Rule. The Chairman thanked Mr Harrison for his attendance and he left the meeting at 10.58am.

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

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 Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule."

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' Hours (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Temporary Exception) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule."

The Committee discussed the SL1 on the proposed Rules.

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

Mr Peter Doran, Assembly Researcher, joined the meeting at 11.06am and gave the Committee a brief background to this Consultation Document. The Committee considered a draft letter to the Department with a number of suggested questions.

Agreed: To send a letter with some initial queries to the Department.

The Chairman thanked Mr Doran for his attendance and he left the meeting at 11.12am.

The Committee welcomed the folder of relevant papers for use within the Committee Stage of this Bill.

Agreed: The proposed timetable and arrangements for considering the Bill.

The Committee considered the amendments within the Draft Report.

Agreed: (i) The Committee was satisfied with the Section on Conclusions;

(ii) To proceed to printing with the Report;

(iii) The arrangements for the release of the Report.

Members were given details of forthcoming relevant conferences.

Ms Hanna advised the Committee of her recent discussions with representatives from Bryson House regarding the above issue.

Agreed: To invite representatives from Bryson House to give a presentation on this issue.

The Committee welcomed details of the Work Programme for September 2001.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 13 September 2001 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 11.46am.

(Dr Wm McCrea MLA )
(Chairperson)