Proceedings of the Environment Committee Minutes of meeting held on Thursday, 16 December 1999 at 10.30 in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

Present were:
Rev. Dr W McCrea (Chairman)
Ms C Hanna (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr T Benson
Mrs J Carson
Mr A Doherty
Mr D Ford
Mr J Leslie
Mr M McLaughlin
Mr M Murphy
Mr E Poots
Mr D Watson

In Attendance:
Mrs D Pritchard (Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Executive Support)
Mr J Nulty (Administrative Support)

The Chairman called the meeting to order.

Mr Benson expressed concern about the scheduling of meetings and suggested  alternative times for the future. He had another Committee meeting to attend at  the same time as this one. He offered his apologies and left the meeting.

1. Minutes of the meeting of 8 December 1999

It was agreed to change the first line of item 5 of the minutes to read:

The Committee agreed that it was vital that the Examiner of Statutory Rules  should report to it on the technical issues while the Committee will consider  the merits/policy.

Mrs Carson asked that her reference to Local Government should read

Local Government Re-organisation.

These changes were made and the minutes agreed.

2. Matters arising

(a) Delaration of interests.

Mr Watson declared he had no interests relevant to the Committee's terms of reference.
Mrs Carson will write to the Clerk about interests in ornithology.
Mr Ford has sent an updated declaration to the Clerk of Committees.

(b) A report on the planning application, T/97/0133, prepared by the Clerk was  discussed.

Agreed: That the Committee proceed in line with the recommendation  in the report and questions will be put to the Chief Executive of the Planning  Service when he attends the next Committee meeting.

(c) The revised programme of works was agreed along with an additional change  to include a Roads Safety presentation with the presentations by the Chief Executives  of the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency and The Driver and Vehicle Licensing  Agency.

(d) The Clerk of Committees is re-examining the meetings' schedule.

(e) Letters about the role of the Examiner of Statutory Rules have issued as  requested. The Committee will consider the matter further when the responses have been received.

4. The Minister and senior officials joined the meeting at 10.45am and the Chairman welcomed them

The Minister made a presentation on the main functions of the Department and  the main short and long-term issues. He referred specifically to the following matters:

  • The Department's main function is as a Regulator.
  • The Department's structure.
  • Its resources.
  • Its policies.
  • Primary legislation

5. The Committee discussed the matters raised with the Minister

  • The Department's Budget will be available for consideration by the Committee  in early January 2000. The Clerk will liaise with the officials to obtain details.
  • The Minister offered a presentation on the draft Waste Management Strategy.
  • The Department will consider the Committee's views on sustainable development  and planning issues.
  • The Minister is happy to receive representations from the Committee on the  Climate Change Levy.
  • The Department offered a presentation on Access to the Countryside.
  • The Minister advised that Local Government re-organisation would be considered  at some stage but there were no definite plans for changes in the immediate future.
  • The Minister referred to the Programme of Government as the main device for  linking the work of the Executive Committee, the Departments and the Committees.
  • Policy proposals on dangerous wild animals will be presented to the Committee  in the near future.

The Chairman thanked the Minister and his officials and they left the meeting.

6. AOB

Climate Change Levy (CCL)

The Minister of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is also  involved in the matter of CCL as are the Department for Regional Development. 

Agreed: That the Committee will consider the environmental  aspects of the problems with the levy.

That the representatives of Keyspan make a presentation to the Committee at  the meeting of 20 January 2000.

Road Safety

There was a brief discussion about the Department's responsibilities for road  safety.

Agreed. That the Department is asked to provide details of  policy and budget on road safety in advance of the presentation on the subject.

6. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13 January 2000 at 10.30am in room 144, Parliament Buildings.