Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 1.35pm in Open Session

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Minutes of the last meeting

The Committee agreed the minutes on the Dioxin Evidence Session and Committee meeting held on 13 October 2009.

3. Matters arising

(a) Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulation ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

Members agreed to progress this matter to the legislative stage.

(b) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 13 October 2009.

(c) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 13 October 2009.

Members agreed to conduct a future meeting of the Committee at the Cookstown office of the Rural Community Network.

4. Presentation – DARD Rivers Agency – Procedures regarding the planning application review process for development on flood plains

The following officials from the Rivers Agency presented to the Committee in respect of the above:

Pat Aldridge, Director of Development
Philip Mehaffey, Director of Operations
Joe Nicholson, Principal Engineer

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

The Committee agreed to request further information from the Rivers Agency to some issues highlighted.

1.44 pm Mr Molloy and Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
1.52 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
1.59 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.
2.01 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
2.06 pm Mr Elliott left the meeting.
2.08 pm Mr Burns left the meeting.

5. Presentation – DARD Rivers Agency – Statement of Principles with the Association of British Insurers

The following officials from the Rivers Agency presented to the Committee in respect of the above:

Pat Aldridge, Director of Development
Philip Mehaffey, Director of Operations
Joe Nicholson, Principal Engineer

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

The Committee agreed to request further information from the Rivers Agency to some issues highlighted.

2.40 pm Mr Molloy left the meeting
2.45 pm Mr McGlone and Mr Shannon left the meeting.
2.54 pm Mr Doherty left the meeting.

6. Presentation – WWF – The Water Environment (Floods Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2009)

Dr Claire Cockerill, Freshwater Policy Officer, from WWF presented to the Committee in respect of the above

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

3.06 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.
3.23 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
3.30 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.
3.31pm Mr Doherty entered the meeting.

7. SL1 – The Water Environment (Floods Directive) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

The following officials from the Rivers Agency presented to the Committee in respect of the above:

Pat Aldridge, Director of Development
Philip Mehaffey, Director of Operations
Joe Nicholson, Principal Engineer

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

Members agreed to progress this matter to the legislative stage.

3.42 pm Mr Doherty left the meeting.
3.48 pm Mr Burns entered the meeting.

8. Any other business

Dr McCrea highlighted some concerns around the provision of the Road Planning Programme in rural areas, and also indicated his interest to receive further information on a recent announcement of investment of £225 million in to the dairy sector.

The Chairperson agreed to discuss the issues raised with the Clerk of the Committee at a later date.

9. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 3 November 2009 at 10:00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings to review the Draft Dioxins Report and the Committee Stages of the Forestry Bill.

Our weekly Committee meeting will be on 3 November 2009 at 1:30pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.01pm