Present: -
Rev Dr Wm. McCrea (Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr D McClarty
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

Apologies: -
Mrs J Carson
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)
Ms C Angelone (Administrative Support)

1. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 29 January 2002 were agreed.

2. Matters Arising

1. The Committee considered a letter from Seaport Investments Ltd. asking that, in light of Moyle District Council's decision to proceed with consideration of the bids for the proposed developments at the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre, the Committee reconsidered its decision not to meet with the company.

The Committee noted a copy of a letter with enclosures from the National Trust to the Minister of the Environment urging the Minister to work with his Government colleagues to find an appropriate solution to the situation at the Giant's Causeway.

Agreed: To write to Seaport Investments declining their request for a meeting at this time.

To write to the National Trust assuring then that the Committee has noted its concerns.

2. The Committee noted a summary of a report to the Minister of the Environment regarding allegations about the demolition of property at the 'Nook', Giant's Causeway. The report confirmed that there had been no significant breaches of the permissions granted to the developer and that the integrity of the listed building remained intact. The developer has agreed to maintain closer contact with the Department of the Environment and to provide a future schedule of works for comment.

3. Replies Outstanding

1. Proposed ferry - update awaited from Newry and Mourne District Council.
2. Ballyrickard Landfill Site - reply awaited from Larne Borough Council.
3. Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oils) Regulations - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
4. Waste Management and School Transport Report - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
5. Road Safety Strategy 2001 - 2010 - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment
6. Planning (Amendment) Bill - reply awaited from the Department of the Environment

Agreed: To issue reminder letters regarding these outstanding replies.

4. Shared Horizons - Protected Landscapes in Northern Ireland

Mr Ross Millar and Mr Colin McKenna, Officials from the Department of the Environment's Countryside and Wildlife Division, joined the meeting at 10.45 a.m.

Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 10.49 a.m.

The Officials gave a presentation on the Department of the Environment's proposals for the designation and management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the future possibility of National Parks. A question and answer session followed and key issues raised included the identification and allocation of resources, the Department's proposals for effective consultation with Non-Government Organisations and other Government Departments, the need for detailed rural planning laws and effective enforcement.

The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 11.30 p.m.

Agreed: To respond to the Department based on Members' questions and comments.

5. Local Government (Best Value) Bill

Dr Wm. McCrea, Ms Lewsley, Mr McClarty, Mr Murphy and Mr Poots declared an interest as Local Government Councillors before the next item was discussed.

The Committee noted a letter dated 30 January 2002 from the Minister of the Environment confirming the Department's commitment to specific issues on the way forward on this Bill.

Mrs Cynthia Smyth and Mr David Barr, Officials from the Department of the Environment, joined the meeting at 11.33 p.m. They gave a brief presentation and answered Members' questions on the Minister's letter including:

• The Department's commitment to include a reference in the proposed Bill's Explanatory & Financial Memorandum that Councils may consider other key policy objectives and statutory functions pertaining to the delivery of services;

• That any guidance issued by the Department will be developed in consultation with the Committee for the Environment, and with District Councils and other local government interests and will include reference to equality and environmental considerations and to the relevant statutory provisions; and

• That the Department proposed to include employee representatives in the consultations under Clause 1 and Clause 3.

The Chairman advised the Officials that the Committee welcomed the assurances contained in the Minister's letter and appreciated that the Department had taken on board the concerns of the Committee and Local Councils. He commended the Officials for their valuable work and recent co-operation and asked them to convey the Committee's thanks to the Minister of the Environment for his positive response.

The Officials left the meeting at 11.40 a.m.

The Committee considered the withdrawal of some of its proposed oppositions to and amendments of the Bill in light of the Minister's letter of assurance. The Committee noted that Consideration Stage debate of the Bill was scheduled for 1.45 p.m. on Monday 4 February 2002 and that guidance on the procedure for the debate would be finalised on Friday. 1 February 2002 p.m.

Agreed: To withdraw the Committee's amendments to Clause 11 and the Long Title of the Bill and to withdraw notification of the Committee's intention to oppose that Clauses 1, 6 and 8 stand part of the Bill.

That the Secretariat would finalise guidance on the Consideration Stage Debate for circulation to Members by close of play on Friday 1 February 2002.

6. Areas of Special Scientific Interest

The Committee considered a Consultation Document issued by the Department of the Environment on progress made on its proposals for the protection and management of Areas of Special Scientific Interest in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the above Consultation Document at the meeting on Thursday 7 February 2002.

7. EC Directive 2001/18 on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms

The Committee considered a Consultation Document issued by the Department of the Environment on its proposals for the implementation of the requirements of the EU Directive on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms into Northern Ireland law.

Agreed: To invite Departmental Officials to give a presentation on the above Consultation Document at the meeting on Thursday 7 February

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.45 a.m.

8. Any Other Business

1. The Committee noted a number of letters and papers including:

• A copy of a letter from Down District Council to the Minister of the Environment regarding concerns about the need to address the problem of waste produced by manufacturing companies.

Agreed: To write to the Department requesting a copy of the Minister's response to Down District Council.

• A letter from the Minister of the Environment providing an update on developments regarding the MOX Plant at Sellafield in Cumbria.

• A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding proposals for the mutual recognition with the planned fixed penalty system in the Republic of Ireland.

• A letter of support from the Portstewart Clergy Fraternity regarding earlier correspondence from a member of the public on concerns about the nature of housing development on the Causeway Coast area, particularly in Portstewart.

• Information regarding the Assembly Researcher's invitation (on temporary assignment with the United Nations Environment Programme Secretariat) to attend the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Cartagena, Colombia from 13 February to 15 February 2002.

Agreed: That the Researcher's assignment and attendance at the above conference would be a valuable asset to Committee in assisting in any future consideration of sustainable development issues.

• A letter from Banbridge District Council regarding the possible future designation of the Mournes as a National Park.

• Information regarding the launch of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy on 27 February 2002 and the proposed visit to Northern Ireland by the UK Sustainable Development Commission in early March 2002.

Agreed: To consider the Committee's arrangements to host a seminar/reception for the Commission during its visit to Northern Ireland.

9. Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 7 February 2002 at 11.00 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 11.50 a.m.

Dr Wm. McCrea MLA (Chairperson)