Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 15 November 2001 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present: -
Rev Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Mr D Ford
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies: -
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty

In Attendance:
Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Miss J Adair (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mr M McCourt (Administrative Support)

The meeting commenced at 10.37 a.m.

The minutes of the meeting of 8 November 2001 were agreed.

1. Proposed Ferry - update awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council.
2. Dumping of Toxic Waste - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment.
3. Ballyrickard Landfill Site - replies awaited from Larne Borough Council and the Department of the Environment.
4. Hare coursing - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment.
5. Sellafield MOX Plant - reply awaited from the Minister of the Environment.
6. Waste Management Strategy - reply awaited from the Department and the Waste Management Regional Partnerships.

1. The Committee discussed its concern about the proposed £2m cut in Resource element of the General Exchequer Grant.

Agreed: To write to the Department of Environment seeking an update on the position regarding the proposed cut in the Resource Grant.

Dr Wm. McCrea, Mr D McClarty, Mr M Murphy and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before this item was discussed.

Mr John Corey, Mr Paddy Casey and Mr Bill McLennon, Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) joined the meeting at 10.42 a.m. They gave a presentation on their views about this Bill and answered Members' questions.

The NIPSA representatives left the meeting at 11.40 and the Committee discussed

options for the way forward on the Bill

Agreed: That the Secretariat would prepare a paper in consultation with the Assembly's Legal Services Unit, on one particular option agreed by the Committee.

The Committee considered a draft response to the above consultation paper issued by the Department of the Environment's Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA). Mr Terry Dawson and Mr Harry Fitzpatrick, Officials from the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency attended the meeting and answered Members' questions.

Agreed: To seek further information and consider a revised draft response at the meeting on 22 November 2001

The Committee considered a draft response on the Draft Programme for Government.

Agreed: To issue the draft response to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister as discussed.

The Committee noted a letter from the Chairman to the Minister of the Environment highlighting the Committee's disappointment at the Minister's recent response regarding the delay in evaluating the key recommendations contained in the Committee's Report.

Members also noted memos issued on behalf of the Committee seeking the support of the Regional Development, Education and Employment and Learning Committees to urgently take forward the evaluation of the Report.

The Committee noted that, due to circumstances, the proposed visit on 14 November by some Committee Members to Mullaghboy had been postponed. The Committee considered a letter from the Regional Development Committee asking to be kept informed of the outcome of the Committee for the Environment's deliberation about this matter.

Agreed: That the Secretariat would reschedule the proposed visit to Mullaghboy.

1. The Committee considered issuing a Press Release regarding its concerns at the apparent lack of progress with the implementation of a Waste Management Strategy and noted that a response was awaited from the Department of the Environment on this matter.

Agreed: That it would not be appropriate to issue a Press Release at this time.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 22 November at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.05 p.m.