TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 10.55AM IN ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:   Mr P Doherty MP (Chairperson)   Mr B Armstrong   Mr W Clyde   Mr D McClarty   Dr A McDonnell   Ms J Morrice   Mr J Wells

Apologies:   Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)   Mrs A Courtney   Dr D O'Hagan

In attendance:   Mrs C White (Committee Clerk) Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk) Mr R Anderson (Clerical Supervisor)   Miss A Fowler (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in private at 10.55am.

1.1. Chairperson's Business

2. The Chairperson reported that Mrs Courtney was unwell.

Agreed - to send a card and flowers expressing the Committee's concern and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mrs Courtney.

2. Any Other Business

2.1 The Committee discussed letters from Seaport Investment Services and the National Trust regarding the Giants Causeway Complex.

Agreed - to send a letter to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment offering the Committee's support for his approach to the issue and to forward a copy to Moyle District Council.

Agreed - to issue a press release stating the Committee's preference to see the land retained in public ownership.

Agreed - to arrange a visit to the Giant's Causeway and to meet with Moyle District Council on 6 March 2002.

Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 11.30am.

3. Energy Inquiry

3.1. The Committee deliberated on its draft energy inquiry report.

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.33pm.   Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 12.33pm.

4. Date of next meeting

4.1 The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 6 February 2002 at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 1.45pm.

Mr Pat Doherty MP   Chairperson