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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 21 March 2002 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. Present: - Apologies: - In Attendance: The meeting commenced at 10.32 a.m. 1. Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the meeting of 14 March 2002 were agreed. (i) The Committee considered the Department of the Environment's draft 'work-in-progress' Position Report on Budget 2002. Agreed: To write to the Department of the Environment to express the Committee's serious concerns on the general thrust of the Report. The meeting moved into closed session at 10.47 a.m. 3. EC Environment Directives The Minister of the Environment and his senior Officials, Mr Stephen Quinn and Ms Judena Goldring, joined the meeting at 10.48 a.m. The Minister and his Officials gave presentations on the current position regarding the transposition of EC Directives into Northern Ireland law and the proposed legislative timetable. This was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Mr Poots joined the meeting at 11.12 a.m. The Chairman thanked the Minister and his Officials and they left the meeting at 11.55 a.m. The Committee held a brief discussion on the way forward on this issue. Agreed: To write to the Minister of the Environment regarding arrangements for the consideration of the legislation required for the transposition of environment related EC Directives into Northern Ireland law. The meeting continued in public session at 12.02 p.m. 4. Proposed Legislation on Mobile Phone Masts Development Mr Ian Maye, Mr John Linden and Mr David Small, Department of the Environment Officials, joined the meeting at 12.03 p.m. They gave a brief presentation and answered Members' questions on the current position regarding the introduction of legislation, which would result in full planning permission for all telecommunication masts development. Key issues discussed included the Committee's concerns at the lengthy delay in introducing the necessary secondary legislation and the proposed procedure/timetable. Members and Officials discussed an extensive Report commissioned by the Federation of Electronics Industries on the possible impact of any change in planning law for telecommunications development on the Northern Ireland economy. Agreed: To write to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers - through the appropriate Committees - to express grave concern at the delay in responding to the proposed DOE Regulations. The Chairman thanked the Officials and they left the meeting at 12.26 p.m. The Committee considered a petition expressing public concerns about proposals to erect a telecommunications mast at McCracken Memorial Church, Belfast. Agreed: To forward the petition to the Department of the Environment for comment. 5. Matters Arising (continued) Agreed: To issue the response to the Committee for Regional Development. (i) The Committee noted a number of letters and papers including: - A letter from the Mourne Heritage Trust regarding a Department of the Environment paper on proposals for the development and management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Agreed: To write to Mourne Heritage Trust requesting a full written submission. - A response from the Department of the Environment regarding concerns raised about the unauthorised demolition of Clough House. Clough, Co. Down. - A letter from the Department of the Environment regarding the transposition of the Solvents Emissions Directive and other issues pertaining to the Industrial Pollution Control (Solvents Emissions Directive) Directions (Northern Ireland) 2002. - A letter from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and a response from the Department of the Environment regarding the EC Water Framework Directive. Agreed: To forward the Department's response to the Committee for Culture, Arts andLeisure. - An invitation to the Chairperson and Members of the Committee for the Environment to attend the launch of the EC Water Framework Directive Consultation Paper in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island on Wednesday 27 March 2002. Agreed: Members to advise the Committee Office if they wish to attend this event. - Information regarding an informal briefing on the Court of Justice of the European Communities. (ii) The Committee noted that its Report on the Inquiry into Transport used for Children Travelling to and from School was scheduled for debate on week commencing 15 April 2002. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 11 April 2002 at 11.00 a.m. in Room 144, Parliament Buildings. The meeting adjourned at 12.36 pm. Signed |
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