Present: - Rev Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Doherty
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies: - Mrs J Carson
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr D McClarty
Mr M McLaughlin

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

The minutes of the meeting of 6 December 2001 were agreed.

1. The Committee considered a letter from the Department of the Environment regarding the Committee's concerns about a recent BBC Spotlight programme alleging illegal dumping of toxic waste in Craigavon and Belfast.

   Agreed: To seek advice on arranging presentations by the parties concerned with this matter.

2. The Committee considered a response from the Minister of the Environment to the Committee's most recent letter expressing its serious concerns about the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' decision to grant permission to open a nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield in Cumbria. The Minister reiterated his commitment to radiological monitoring of the Northern Ireland coastline. He also informed the Committee that the implications of the decision, by the UN Tribunal for the Law of the Seas, to refuse a moratorium on the MOX Plant would be considered by the UK authorities by the end of January 2002.

   Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment emphasising the Committee's continuing concerns and requesting to be kept informed about this issue, particularly with regard to the outcome of the UK authorities' consideration of the UN Tribunal's decision of 3 December 2001.

3. The Committee noted an interim response from Larne Borough Council regarding the Committee's concerns about certain aspects of the landfill site at Ballyrickard, Larne.

   Agreed: To consider this issue at a future meeting when a full response is available and to write to the Department of the Environment as discussed.

4. The Committee noted with concern a response from the Minister of the Environment regarding the evaluation of the key recommendations contained in the Committee's Report of the Inquiry into Transport used by Children Travelling to and from School.

   Agreed: To liaise with the Business Office about the timing of the Debate on the Committee's Report by the Assembly.

1. Proposed ferry - update awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council.
2. Hare coursing - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment.

Dr Wm. McCrea, Ms C Hanna, Mr M Murphy, and Mr E Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before this next item was discussed

The Committee gave paragraph by paragraph consideration to its draft Report on the Local Government (Best Value) Bill and considered letters to accompany the copies of the final published Report which will be sent to the Minister of the Environment, witnesses who gave evidence to the Committee on this Bill and other interested bodies

Agreed: Members agreed amendments and new text elaborating paragraphs 32 and 53 of the Report and agreed the letters to the Minister, witnesses and other interested bodies.

That the Report be ordered to be printed.

The Committee considered the way forward on this consultation paper issued by the Department of the Environment on the Review of the Resources Element of the General Exchequer Grant.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the paper issue at the meeting on 10 January 2002.

The Committee gave consideration to the following SL1s:

1. Motor Vehicle Testing (Amendment) (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002;
2. Goods Vehicle Testing (Amendment) (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002;
3. Driving Licences (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2002;
4. Public Service Vehicles (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002;
5. Passengers and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002; and
6. International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the above SL1s in relation to the increase in licence/vehicle testing fees.

The Committee also gave consideration to the following Statutory Rule now laid before the Assembly:

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) (Northern Ireland) 2001

The Committee noted the report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules dated 29 November 2001 and the following Motion was put and agreed by the Committee: -

(i)The Committee noted a number of letters and papers including:

- A Report from North West Taxi Proprietors Ltd.;
- A response from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns raised by Castlereagh Borough Council about Waste disposal essential interim capacity;
- A response from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns raised by the National Trust and a member of the public regarding the proposed developments at the Giant's Causeway and the detail contained in the Department of the Environment's Public Service Agreement;
- A letter from Cookstown District Council regarding the restoration of the proposed £2m cut in the Resources Element of the General Exchequer Grant;
- A response from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns raised by a member of the public about the proposed development at Hawthornden Road, Belfast;
- An interim response from Larne Borough Council regarding the Committee's concerns with certain aspects of the landfill site at Ballyrickard, Larne;
- A letter, enclosing a press release and location map, regarding the Minister's decision to formally identify three bodies of water - the tidal River Lagan, inner Belfast Lough and the River Quoile Pondage at Downpatrick - as 'Sensitive Areas' under terms of EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; and
- A response from the Minister of the Environment regarding evaluating the key recommendations contained in the Committee's Report of the Inquiry into Transport used by Children Travelling to and from School.

(ii)The Committee noted a letter from the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding its intention to undertake an Inquiry into Tourism in Northern Ireland. The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment had asked for input and comments from all Statutory Committees.

Agreed: To copy the letter to all Members for consideration.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 10 January 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 11.15 p.m.