Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Minutes of Proceedings
THURSDAY 31 JANUARY 2008,
Room 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mr Patsy McGlone (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Armstrong
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Tommy Gallagher
Mr Samuel Gardiner
Mr Ian McCrea
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Peter Weir
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr David Ford

In Attendance: 
Ms Patricia Casey (Assembly Clerk) 
Mr William Long (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Sean McCann (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Philip Maguire (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:

The meeting opened at 10.32 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above

2. Minutes

Agreed – the draft minutes were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

Giant’s Causeway – request for papers

The Chairperson advised members that a request to give notice to produce documents under Section 44 Northern Ireland Act 1998 had been issued to the Speaker on 25 January 2008.

Mr Boylan joined the meeting at 10.38a.m.

Agreed: That the Department provide the Committee with a copy of all withheld papers as listed on the schedule of papers and any subsequent reports.
Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Speaker to advise that the Committee wish to see all withheld papers first before any further action is taken on the use of Section 44(7).

4. Departmental briefing on Marine Legislation – Policy Paper

Departmental officials briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the Minister’s proposals for the development of new policies and legislation relating to the marine environment in Northern Ireland.

Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.12a.m.

5. Briefing by Northern Ireland Marine Task Force

Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 11.24a.m.

Representatives from the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on the importance of introducing effective legislation in Northern Ireland to implement the provisions of the UK Marine Bill in the near future.

Agreed: That the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force forward all papers on marine legislation that they had submitted to DEFRA to the Committee.

Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.34a.m.

Agreed: That a copy of the Department’s marine legislation policy paper is sent to the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force for information.

Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 11.50a.m.

Agreed: That the Committee request a paper on marine legislation from Assembly Research Service.

6. Briefing by Ulster Farmers’ Union

Representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union briefed the Committee and answered members’ questions on environmental issues which are impacting on the agriculture industry generally and farmers in particular.

Agreed: That the UFU forward any papers they have produced on PPS14 to the Committee before the take note debate on 11 th February 2008.

7. Statutory Rules

SR 2008/17 – The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and, subject to the ESR report, has no objection to the rule.

SR 2008/19 – The Disability Discrimination (Private Hire Vehicles) (Carrying of Guide Dogs etc.) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Disability Discrimination (Private Hire Vehicles)(Carrying of Guide Dogs etc.) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and, subject to the ESR report, has no objection to the rule.

SR 2008/20 – The Deposits in the Sea (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for the Environment has considered The Deposits in the Sea (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and, subject to the ESR report, has no objection to the rule.

8. Correspondence

   1. Members noted the Statutory Instrument 2008 No 0000 “Environmental Protection: The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2008”.
   2. Members noted an update from the DOE on the North South Interconnector.
   3. Members noted an e-mail and article from Malachy Campbell on 80% CO2 reduction targets.  
   4. Members noted a letter from the Department regarding an intended amendment to the Taxis Bill by the Minister for Regional Development.  
   5. Members noted an invitation to attend a conference on “biodiversity conservation in a changing climate”.
   6. Copy of memo from the Clerk to the Audit Committee regarding an environmental audit. 
      Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Clerk to the Audit Committee stating that the Committee will discuss environmental governance at a future meeting.  
   7. Members noted an invitation to attend the Launch of the “Sector Skills Agreement for Passenger Transport – Northern Ireland”.
   8. Members noted an e-mail from Robert McAllister regarding the possibility of introducing traffic congestion charges.  
   9. Letter and report from the Clerk to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the Draft Action Plan 2008-2011 for the Regional Innovation Strategy. 
      Agreed: That a letter is sent to the Clerk to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment stating the Committee welcomes the general aims and objectives of the Draft Action Plan but require further information on one area of the report. E-Mail from Robert McAllister regarding an incident in a car with a taxi sign at Donegall Street Belfast on 26/01/08. 
      Agreed : That this e-mail is passed to the Department for their comments.

Publications/Conferences/Press Releases:

Members noted the following DOE news releases:

“Foster Helps Launch “Shifting Shores”.

“Rosslea Man Fined £1,000 For Planning Breach”.

“Schools and Universities get Green Advice”.

9. Any other business

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 7 February 2008 at 10.30am in room 144 Parliament Buildings

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.55p.m.

Patsy McGlone
Chairperson, Committee for the Environment
7 February 2008