Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Minutes of Proceedings - 5 March 2024

Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - Minutes of Proceedings 5 March 2024.pdf (141.21 kb)

Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Present:

MrDeclan McAleer MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr John Blair MLA

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA

Mr Patsy McGlone MLA

Ms Áine Murphy MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Tom Elliott MLA (Chairperson)

Apologies:

Tom Buchanan MLA

William Irwin MLA

In Attendance:

Dr Janice Thompson, Assembly Clerk

Ms Gillian Barker, Assistant Assembly Clerk

Mr Michael Greer, Clerical Supervisor

The meeting opened in public session at 2.16 pm with the Vice Chair in the Chair.

1. Apologies

Mr William Irwin MLA

2. Ministerial First Day Briefing

The Deputy Chair opened the meeting and welcomed Mr Andrew Muir, MLA Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Mrs Katrina Godfrey, Permanent Secretary for DAERA.

The Members noted the following papers:

First Day Briefing Paper;

DAERA Key Challenges; and

Clerk’s Briefing Note – Informal Meeting with Minister Muir on 20 February 2024.

The Minister, Mr Andrew Muir MLA and Permanent Secretary, Ms Katrina Godfrey briefed the Committee on the Department’s Key Challenges and Priorities including – the forthcoming Environmental Improvement Plan, the forthcoming Climate Action Plan, Lough Neagh, Carbon Budgets, Ammonia Strategy, current TB Consultation, Farm Support and a Rural Development Policy. 

The Minister outlined his commitment to deliver these plans, though noting the cross-cutting nature of many of the issues. He also highlighted his challenges within current budget limitations.  There then followed a question and answer session with Members.

Agreed: The Vice Chair thanked the Officials for attending the meeting and thanked the Permanent Secretary and her Department for the support the sector received during the two years of Ministers not being in place.

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA joined the meeting at 2.23 pm

Ms Áine Murphy MLA left the meeting at 2.28 pm

Mr Tom Elliott MLA joined the meeting at 2.32 pm via zoom.

Ms Áine Murphy MLA re-joined the meeting at 2.58 pm

Mr Patsy McGlone MLA left the meeting at 3.19 pm

Mr Patsy McGlone MLA re-joined the meeting at 3.21 pm

Ms Áine Murphy MLA left the meeting at 3.25 pm

3. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee is on Thursday 7 March 2024, 10.00 am in Room 21.

The Meeting adjourned at 3.29 pm.

Tom Elliott, Chairperson