Friday 29 September 2000
Written Answers to Questions (Continued)

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps have been taken to ensure that the Industrial Development Board site at Corr’s Corner is promoted as a prestige location.

(AQW 129/00)

The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): I can confirm that the IDB is actively engaged with its investment partner, Prologis Developments Ltd, in the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy aimed at attracting high-quality investment to the planned international business park at Ballyhenry.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment what steps he will take to ensure that any expertise acquired by local councils in the sphere of economic development will be incorporated into any plans for agencies under his control.

(AQW 131/00)

Sir Reg Empey: For many years DETI’s agencies have worked closely and beneficially with district councils across a wide range of economic development activities. The importance of local knowledge and expertise is fully recognised by the Department, and the further development of these partnerships will be included in the agencies’ new corporate plans.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department’s draft equality scheme: (a) how the consultation was carried out, (b) who was consulted, (c) how the responses received will be written into the final schemes to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be ongoing.

(AQW 150/00)

Sir Reg Empey: A copy of the draft equality scheme was sent to over 300 groups and individuals, and meetings were sought with a small number of key groups. A copy of the draft scheme, including the consultation list, was also placed on the Department’s web site (http://intranet.detini.gov.uk). The responses were considered carefully, and a substantial number of the suggestions have been included in the revised draft scheme, which was submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June 2000. A copy of the revised scheme is now on the Department’s web site. Subject to the Equality Commission’s views, it is not planned to consult further on the draft scheme. There will, however, be significant ongoing consultation on the implementation of the scheme with all the section 75 groupings.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm that he is aware of the findings of the independent expert group on mobile phones, as detailed in the Stewart Report published in April 2000.

(AQW 91/00)

The Minister of the Environment (Mr Foster): I am aware of the recommendations of the Stewart Report on mobile phones and health. Having considered the report, I will be issuing a consultation paper on planning controls over telecommunications equipment, including mobile phone masts, before the end of October 2000.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment to give an assurance that the recommendations of the Stewart Report will be implemented in Northern Ireland, together with a proposed timescale; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 92/00)

Mr Foster: I am aware of the recommendations of the Stewart Report on mobile phones and health. Having considered the report, I will be issuing a consultation paper on planning controls over telecommunications equipment, including mobile phone masts, before the end of October 2000.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm the number of raptors currently found in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 93/00)

Mr Foster: Six species of raptors regularly breed in Northern Ireland. The commonest are sparrowhawk, kestrel and buzzard, but there are no reliable estimates of the numbers. Surveys have given estimates of the other three as follows:

A new survey of Peregrine Falcons is planned for the UK during 2001.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to set up a working party to assess the impact of apartment developments in areas which traditionally consisted of settled detached and semi-detached dwellings.

(AQW 96/00)

Mr Foster: I am aware of growing concerns about this issue. In response, my Department has recently designated five conservation areas to enhance the protection afforded to Belfast’s Edwardian suburbs. In addition, the Department will bring forward for public consultation a revised development control advice note to provide planning guidance on proposals for small-scale housing within existing urban areas. Future changes to planning policy relating to apartment development are a matter for the Department for Regional Development, and I have no plans to set up a working party to assess the impact of apartment development.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment if he has any plans to introduce legislation to assist local government in dealing more effectively with dog fouling and negligent owners.

(AQW 97/00)

Mr Foster: District councils can avail of significant powers to deal with dog fouling. Article 4 of the Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 introduced a new offence to prosecute persons permitting dogs to foul in areas prescribed by the Department in regulations. Lands under district council control and other public areas have been so prescribed. It is the responsibility of councils to enforce these measures. Persons convicted of an offence under this provision can be fined up to £500 (level 2 on the standard scale).

Article 6 of the Litter Order also introduced a general fixed penalty scheme for permitting dogs to foul. This scheme is similarly enforced by district councils, and the fixed penalty at present is £25.

The Department is currently reviewing the litter and dog fouling legislation with a view to carrying out a widespread consultation exercise to determine how the existing provisions can be improved. This consultation exercise, which is planned to take place early next year, will seek the opinions of the district councils.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment if he intends to make an input to the European Union seminar on coastal habitat protection; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 98/00)

Mr Foster: Coastwatch Europe held a seminar on this subject at the European Commission Offices in Belfast on 20 September. Diary commitments prevented me from participating, but an official from my Department’s Environment and Heritage Service gave a presentation on the EC Habitats and Birds Directives in Northern Ireland, and another official represented me at the launch of the 2000 coastwatch survey.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps will be taken to ensure that the area surrounding Larne Lough, such as Islandmagee, does not suffer from housing over-development resulting in further strains on sewerage and water supply systems.

(AQW 100/00)

Mr Foster: Islandmagee and the area around Larne Lough is already designated as a countryside policy area in the Larne Area Plan 2010. Outside the development limits of designated settlements within countryside policy areas, it is the Department’s policy to protect such areas by strictly controlling development.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment to confirm the number of incidents of unlawful waste disposal in Larne Lough in each of the last three years and to confirm that adequate environmental protection measures are in place in the event of such incidents.

(AQW 101/00)

Mr Foster: It is understood that the reference to unlawful waste disposal relates to liquid discharges. The numbers of water pollution incidents reported to and investigated by my Department were 20 in 1997, 13 in 1998, 10 in 1999 and five in 2000 to date.

I can confirm that procedures are in place which detail the actions that will be taken by the Environment and Heritage Service to minimise the effects of an unauthorised discharge (accidental or deliberate) of polluting substances. The type of pollution will dictate the response. Where a discharge or spillage can be contained or stopped this will be the first approach. In the case of a contained spillage, arrangements will be made for removal and proper disposal. Prosecution for pollution offences is an important sanction in my Department’s control of water pollution.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what steps will be taken to safeguard fishery activities along the East Antrim inshore waters from possible sewage pollution.

(AQW 103/00)

Mr Foster: The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), an agency within the Department of the Environment, is responsible for setting and enforcing effluent discharge quality standards. These standards are set to meet appropriate environmental quality objectives. Water Service sewerage systems are also subject to the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, which has been implemented in Northern Ireland through the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (NI) 1995.

A number of waste water treatment discharges are made to the east Antrim coastal waters, the largest being that from Larne. Under the regulations, waste water from Larne must receive at least secondary treatment by the end of 2000.

EHS is aware of a number of other Water Service proposals for improvements to sewerage systems in the east Antrim area.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of the Environment what action will be taken to ensure that aquaculture within Larne Lough is properly protected from sewage discharge.

(AQW 104/00)

Mr Foster: The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), an agency within the Department of the Environment, is responsible for the implementation of the Shellfish Waters Directive 79/923 EEC. The objective of the Directive is to protect or improve water quality of designated waters in order to support the life or growth of shellfish. The Directive has been transposed into Northern Ireland legislation by the Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997. In 1999 an area of water in Larne Lough was designated under the Shellfish Regulations.

EHS is also responsible for setting and enforcing effluent discharge quality standards. Under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Larne waste water treatment works must receive at least secondary treatment by the end of 2000. The microbiological standards of the Shellfish Waters Directive are particularly stringent. To meet these standards, EHS will decide if a further level of treatment is required for the Larne sewage effluent. EHS is aware of a number of other Water Service proposals for improvements to sewerage systems in the east Antrim area.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment if he will detail the possible impact of climate changes in Northern Ireland, what he regards as the priority adaptation response, and what steps have been taken in the light of this prioritisation.

(AQW 122/00)

Mr Foster: Officials in my Department are about to commission, in conjunction with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research, a scoping study into the impacts of climate change in Northern Ireland and the adaptations that may be necessary.

It is expected that the results of the scoping study will be available by the middle of 2001. I shall advise the Assembly and the Environment Committee of the findings.

The study will be followed by a more detailed programme of research designed to confirm precisely the adaptation measures that may be required in Northern Ireland.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment if he will confirm that the Enforcement section of the Transport, Licensing and Enforcement Branch is to be transferred to the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency; and if he will make a statement.

(AQW 123/00)

Mr Foster: Yes. Following a review of the workload pressures in the Department’s Transport Licensing and Enforcement Branch, the executive functions of the Branch were transferred to two of the Department’s executive agencies with effect from 1 October 2000.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland has taken on responsibility for road freight and bus operator licensing and for licensing taxi drivers.

The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency has taken on responsibility for the Branch’s enforcement activities in relation to goods vehicles, buses and taxis and their drivers.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of the Environment if he will outline the consultation process carried out by him on the Department’s draft equality scheme; (a) how the consultation was carried out, (b) who was consulted, (c) how the responses received will be written into the final schemes to be submitted to the Equality Commission and (d) how the consultation process will be ongoing.

(AQW 151/00)

Mr Foster: (a) The draft equality scheme issued on 10 April for written consultation with a closing date of 5 June. The issue of the draft scheme was announced by public advertisement, and a copy was posted on the Internet. In addition, the Equality Unit in OFMDFM met with representatives of the voluntary and community sector, covering the main section 75 groups, to discuss general concerns on behalf of all Departments.

(b) Over 400 copies of the scheme issued to the organisations listed at Table C in the draft scheme, and about 30 further copies issued on request. Offers of meetings went to the over 40 organisations, which responded substantively. The draft scheme was also discussed with the Assembly Environment Committee.

(c) The responses received were taken into account fully in preparing a revised equality scheme. This was submitted to the Equality Commission for approval on 30 June. Annex D of the revised scheme outlines the background to the consultation exercise and provides a detailed response to the comments received.

A copy of the equality scheme is on the Department’s Internet web site at www.nics.gov.uk/env.htm.

(d) The Equality Commission’s comments are still awaited on the equality scheme. The consultation process will continue on the equality scheme itself and the many commitments which it contains, including the preparation of guidelines to ensure full, timely and inclusive consultation on matters relating to the section 75 statutory duty. The quality and effectiveness of consultation will be assessed in the Department’s annual review of progress on implementing the scheme and complying with the statutory duties, which will be copied to the Equality Commission.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of the Environment if he will undertake to ensure that telecommunication masts should be situated at least 500 metres from occupied dwellings.

(AQW 187/00)

Mr Foster: Planning arrangements for mobile phone masts have been a long-standing matter of public concern. I will be issuing a consultation paper on planning controls over telecommunications equipment, including mobile phone masts, before the end of October 2000.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of the Environment if he will outline the percentage of planning applications that are taken to district council with an opinion, in the prescribed eight-week timescale, and if he can confirm the target of 60% of applications being decided within eight weeks of application.

(AQW 197/00)

Mr Foster: In the current business year to 31 August, 66% of minor applications and 53% of major applications have been taken to District Council with an opinion within 8 weeks. The targets for these applications are 65% and 60% respectively.

Dr Birnie asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to indicate what plans he has to replicate the practice of HM Treasury in securing public service agreements and service delivery agreements for spending Departments.

(AQW 50/00)

The Minister of Finance and Personnel (Mr Durkan): My officials wrote to Departments commissioning PSA statements in August 2000, and DFP is currently working in conjunction with EPU to finalise these documents. Work is also ongoing developing service level agreements in consultation with Treasury.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel how much EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation funding was given to West Belfast and what percentage of the total SSPPR budget this represented.

(AQW 79/00)

Mr Durkan: Current available information shows that approximately £31 million (8% of the programme) has been allocated to projects with postcodes in the West Belfast constituency.

Dr O’Hagan asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel to detail the level of public expenditure on (a) Odyssey, (b) Laganside, (c) the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, and (d) the Titanic project.

(AQW 83/00)

Mr Durkan: By March 2001 the total public expenditure contribution to the Laganside Corporation since its foundation in 1989 is expected to be £108·42 million, including EU grant of £31·59 million. Of the total grant-in-aid figure of £76·83 million, £9·5 million will have been committed to Odyssey, as part of overall public expenditure on that project of £28·9 million, and £5 million to the Cathedral Quarter. No other public expenditure has been invested in the Cathedral Quarter, and no public expenditure has been committed to the Titanic project. As well as the public expenditure mentioned above, the Odyssey project has benefited from a £45 million contribution from the Millennium Commission.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if he will write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to reduce the rate of fuel duty in Northern Ireland in order to mitigate the excesses of double taxation.

(AQO 62/00)

Mr Durkan: While this is a reserved matter for the Chancellor, the First and Deputy First Ministers and Sir Reg Empey have made representations, on behalf of the Executive Committee, to the Treasury on the issue on several occasions.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if there are any plans for the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to undertake research into the nature and number of people with disabilities and the nature of the disabilities.

(AQO 52/00)

Mr Durkan: The 2001 census of population and housing, which is being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, will ask a question on whether an individual has any long-term illness, health problem or disability. A question will also be asked on whether individuals look after, or give any help or support to, people with disabilities on an unpaid basis, to establish now much such help is being provided. Apart from the census, NISRA has no current requests from Departments for additional research in this area.

Mrs E Bell asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel if there are plans to establish a Children’s Poverty Fund in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 74/00)

Mr Durkan: Following the Chancellor’s announcement in July that he was setting up a Children’s Fund in Great Britain, I have met with representatives of voluntary organisations to discuss children’s issues. The case for a separate children’s fund will be considered by the Executive Committee in drawing up its proposals for the Programme for Government and Budget allocations in the coming weeks.

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