Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 21 February 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

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

Apologies: - Mrs J Carson

In Attendance: Mr J Simmons (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mr J Nulty (Executive Support)
Ms C Angelone (Administrative Support)

The minutes of the meeting of 14 February 2002 were agreed.

1. Proposed ferry - the Committee considered a response from Newry and Mourne District Council on the future of the proposed ferry.

Agreed: To await outcome of the

Council's review.

2. Ballyrickard Landfill Site - the Committee considered a response from Larne Borough Council stating an independent site survey is to be carried out.

Agreed: To await outcome of survey.

Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oil) Regulations - following the brief update from the Department, arrangements have been made for detailed presentations by the Department and the Ulster Farmers Union at the Committee meeting on 7 March 2002.

The Committee considered the above Rule that has been laid before the Assembly. The following Motion was put and Agreed:-

That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Motor Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 and has no objection the Rule.

Ms Cynthia Smith, Mr Ian Maye, Mr David Small and Mr John McClelland, Officials of the Department, joined the meeting at 10.38am.

After a presentation on proposals within the forthcoming Planning (Amendment) Bill, the Officials answered questions from the Members.

The Officials then gave a presentation on Modernising Planning Processes, a Consultation Document from the Department. After this, they answered questions from the Members.

The Officials left the meeting at 12.07pm.

Agreed: To forward some further questions on the Planning (Amendment) Bill to the Department.

The Committee discussed a draft response for OFMDFM.

Agreed:- To forward the response to OFMDFM.

The Committee discussed a draft response to the paper from OFMDFM.

Agreed:- The Committee agreed some changes to the draft response before issue.

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

Agreed:- The Committee agreed some changes to the draft response before issue.

1. School Transport Report

The Committee discussed the recent debate in the Assembly on School Buses and acknowledged the receipt of a detailed response from the Minister of the Environment on its School Transport Inquiry Report.

Agreed:- To make the necessary arrangements to have a Motion put before the Assembly to have the Committee's Report debated.

2. Ballymoney Power

The Committee discussed a letter regarding plans for a lignite-fired power station in Ballymoney.

Agreed:- To commission some research and to refer the letter to the Department for further information.

3. The Committee noted the following papers and letters:-

1. An update from the Department on the application for a Consent to Discharge at Mullaghboy, Co Antrim;
2. An update from the Department on a planning application for a Radio Base Station in Downpatrick, Co Down; and
3. A response from the Department regarding a proposed Housing Development in East Belfast.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 28 February 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.40 pm.