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Joint Committee on the Environment and Local GovernmentAppendix 5 — Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint CommitteeJoint Committee on the Environment and Local GovernmentProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 17th January 20071.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 at 2.01 p.m. 2.Attendance The following Members were in attendance: - Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Donal Moynihan, Eamon Gilmore, Billy Kelleher, Padraic McCormack, Peter Kelly (as substitute for Noel Grealish), John Carty (as substitute for John Moloney) and Senators Cyprian Brady, James Bannon, Paul Coghlan (as substitute for Michael McCarthy) and Michael Brennan. Deputy Dan Wallace substituted for Deputy Billy Kelleher for part of the meeting. Deputy Arthur Morgan was also in attendance. Apologies were received from Deputies Jackie Healy-Rae, Ciaran Cuffe, John Moloney and Fergus O’Dowd 3.Minutes of meeting of 13th December 2006 This item was dealt with in private session. 4.Correspondence This item was dealt with in private session. 5.Joint Committee’s Draft Annual Report 2006 and Work Programme 2007 This item was dealt with in private session. 6.Discussion with Failte Ireland on the environment and tourism in Ireland. The Joint Committee discussed the environmental aspects of tourism with Failte Ireland and, in particular, the establishment of an Environment Unit by that organisation. Mr. Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Paddy Matthews, Head of the Environment Unit represented Failte Ireland. A question and answer session ensued. 7.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3.00 pm until 2.00 p.m. on Wednesday 31st January 2007. John Cregan T.D., Temporary-Chairman January 2007 Joint Committee on the Environment and Local GovernmentProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 31st January 20071.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 31st January 2007 at 2.02 p.m. 2.Attendance The following Members were in attendance: - Deputies Jackie Healy Rae (in the Chair), John Cregan, Donal Moynihan, Padraic McCormack, Noel Grealish, Ciaran Cuffe and Fergus O’Dowd and Senators Cyprian Brady, James Bannon and Michael Brennan. Deputy Barry Andrews substituted for Deputy Billy Kelleher. 3.Minutes of meeting of 17th January 2007 This item was dealt with in private session. 4.Correspondence This item was dealt with in private session. 5.Draft Travel Reports This item was dealt with in private session. 6.Joint Committee’s Draft Annual Report 2006 and Work Programme 2007 This item was dealt with in private session. 7.Discussion with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government accompanied by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture and Food on proposed EU Legislation. The Joint Committee was briefed on COM (2006) 78 — genetically modified oilseed rape lines Ms8, Rf3 and COM (2005) 338 — amendment to the Aarhus Convention with regard to public participation in decision-making on GMOs by officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government accompanied by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture and Food. A question and answer session ensued. It was agreed that the proposals warranted no further scrutiny by the Joint Committee and that a report on the scrutiny undertaken would be laid before the Houses. 8.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2.36 pm until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 14th February 2007. Jackie Healy Rae T.D., Vice-Chairman February 2007 Joint Committee on Environment and Local GovernmentMinutes of meeting14th February, 20071.The Joint Committee met in Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 10.30 a.m. 2.Attendance: Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Ciarán Cuffe, Eamon Gilmore, Noel Grealish, Jackie Healy-Rae, Billy Kelleher, Michael Moynihan, Padraic McCormack, John Moloney, Donal Moynihan, Fergus O’Dowd; and Senators Cyprian Brady and Michael Brennan. [The Clerk took the Chair.] 3.Election of Chairman The Clerk invited nominations for the chair. Deputy John Cregan was nominated by Senator Michael Brennan and seconded by Deputy Jackie Healy Rae. As there were no further nominations, Deputy John Cregan was deemed elected and took the Chair. On taking the Chair, the Chairman was congratulated by Members of the Committee. He then addressed the Committee and thanked the Joint Committee for his election as Chairman. On behalf of the Joint Committee he welcomed Deputy Michael Moynihan as a member of the Committee. 4.Minutes of meeting of 31st January, 2007 The minutes of the previous meeting of the Joint Committee were agreed. 5.Briefing by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government prior to his attendance at the EU Environment Council Meeting The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government briefed the Joint Committee prior to his attendance at the E.U. Environment Council meeting. A question and answer session ensued. The meeting was suspended at 11.50 a.m. and was resumed at 12.10 p.m.. Following the question and answer session, the Chairman thanked the witnesses. 6.Correspondence. This item was taken in private session. 7.Adjournment The Joint Committee adjourned at 12.42 p.m. until Thursday 15th February 2007 at 10.30 a.m.. _______________________ John Cregan, T.D., Chairman February, 2007 Joint Committee on Environment and Local GovernmentMinutes of meeting15th February, 20071.The Joint Committee met in Room 3, Leinster House 2000 at 10.35 a.m. 2.Attendance: Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Noel Grealish and Pat Carey (as substitute for Michael Moynihan), Senators Michael Brennan and Tom Morrissey (as substitute for Cyprian Brady). 3.Motion on Planning and Development Regulations and Micro Renewable Technologies - discussion with Minister of State Batt O Keeffe TD. The Minister for State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government briefed the Joint Committee on the Motion. Following the question and answer session, the Chairman thanked the witnesses. Following the debate, the Joint Committee agreed to report back to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to the effect that it had completed its consideration of the draft order and the Committee recommended no further debate on the motion in the Dáil or the Seanad. It was agreed that the following formal messages be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84 (2) (Dáil) and Standing Order 69 (2) (Seanad) and in accordance with Standing Order 85 (Dáil) and Standing Order 67 (Seanad): The Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government has completed its consideration of the following motion on 15th February 2007: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development Regulations 2007, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 25th January, 2007; and The Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government has completed its consideration of the following motion on 15th February 2007: That Seanad Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Planning and Development Regulations 2007, copies of which were laid in draft form before Seanad Éireann on 25th January, 2007. 4.Adjournment The Joint Committee adjourned at 10.45 a.m. until Thursday 28th February 2007 at 2.00 p.m. _______________________ John Cregan, T.D., Chairman March, 2007 Joint Committee on the Environment and Local GovernmentProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 28th February 20071.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 28th February 2007 at 2.15 p.m. 2.Attendance The following Members were in attendance: - Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Jackie Healy Rae, Eamon Gilmore, Billy Kelleher, Donal Moynihan, Padraic McCormack, Ciaran Cuffe and Fergus O’Dowd and Senators Cyprian Brady, James Bannon and Michael Brennan. Deputy Fiona O Malley substituted for Deputy Noel Grealish. Deputy Arthur Morgan was also in attendance. The Committee agreed to go into private session. In the absence of the Chairman, Deputy Jackie Healy Rae took the Chair at the start of the meeting. 3.Minutes of meeting of 14th February 2007 This item was taken in private session. 4.Correspondence This item was taken in private session. 5.Discussion with the Friends of the Earth, the Royal Irish Academy Committee on Climate Change and the Community Climate Change Consortium for Ireland (C4i) on the implications of climate change for Ireland. The Joint Committee heard presentations from Mr. Oisin Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth, Dr Aodhagán Ó Rodaigh, outgoing Chairperson of the Royal Irish Academy’s Committee on Climate Change and Mr. Ray McGrath of the Community Climate Change Consortium for Ireland (C4i) on the implications for Ireland of climate change. A question and answer session ensued. As the Chairman was obliged by other commitments to be absent for a time, and in the absence of the Vice-Chairman, Deputy Billy Kelleher was nominated and temporarily took the Chair from 3.34 p.m. to 3.58 p.m. The question and answer session concluded at 4.10 p.m. 6.Any Other Business Deputy Billy Kelleher asked that the Joint Committee consider the issue of wind energy at a future meeting. 7.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4.12 pm until 2.00 p.m. on Wednesday 28th March 2007. John Cregan T.D., Chairman March 2007 Joint Committee on the Environment and Local GovernmentProceedings of the Joint CommitteeWednesday, 28th March 20071.The Joint Committee met in Committee Room 3, LH 2000, on Wednesday, 28th March 2007 at 2.05 p.m. 2.Attendance The following Members were in attendance: - Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Jackie Healy Rae, Eamon Gilmore, Ciaran Cuffe, Noel Grealish and Fergus O’Dowd and Senators Cyprian Brady, Joanna Tuffy (in substitution for Senator Michael McCarthy) and Michael Brennan. Apologies were received from Senator James Bannon. The Committee agreed to go into private session. 3.Minutes of meetings of 15th February 2007 and 28th February 2007 This item was taken in private session. 4.Correspondence This item was taken in private session. 5.Scrutiny of EU Proposals. This item was taken in private session. 6.Discussion with the Affordable Homes Partnership and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the 2005 Annual Report and operations of the Affordable Homes Partnership. The Joint Committee heard an introductory statement from Mr Des Dowling, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and a presentation from Mr. Des Geraghty, Chairman of the Affordable Home Partnership on the 2005 Annual Report and operations of the Affordable Homes Partnership. A question and answer session ensued. The question and answer session concluded at 3.59 p.m. 7.Any Other Business There was no other business. 8.Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4.00 pm until 10.00 a.m. on Thursday 5th April 2007. John Cregan T.D., Chairman April 2007 Joint Committee on Environment and Local GovernmentMinutes of meeting5th April, 20071.The Joint Committee met in Room 4, Leinster House 2000 at 10.14 a.m. 2.Attendance: Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Noel Grealish, Fergus O Dowd, Ruairi Quinn (as substitute for Eamon Gilmore) and John Gormley (as substitute for Ciaran Cuffe), Senator Fergal Browne (as substitute for James Bannon). The Committee agreed that the first item on the agenda, the Minutes of the meeting of the 28th March 2007 would be taken after the debate on the motion before the Committee. 3.Motions on Specification of an area of the Poolbeg Peninsula as an area for which the Dublin Docklands Development Authority may prepare a planning scheme - discussion with Minister of State Batt O Keeffe TD. The Minister for State for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government briefed the Joint Committee on the Motion. Following the question and answer session, the Chairman thanked the witnesses. Following the debate, the Joint Committee agreed to report back to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to the effect that it had completed its consideration of the draft order and the Committee recommended no further debate on the motion in the Dáil or the Seanad. It was agreed that the following formal messages be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84 (2) (Dáil) and Standing Order 69 (2) (Seanad) and in accordance with Standing Order 85 (Dáil) and Standing Order 67 (Seanad): The Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government has completed its consideration of the following motion on 5th April 2007: That Dáil Éireann approves the following order in draft: Specification of an area of the Poolbeg Peninsula as an area for which the Dublin Docklands Development Authority may prepare a planning scheme, a copy of which was laid in draft before Dáil Éireann on 22nd March, 2007; and The Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government has completed its consideration of the following motion on 5th April 2007: That Seanad Éireann approves the following order in draft: Specification of an area of the Poolbeg Peninsula as an area for which the Dublin Docklands Development Authority may prepare a planning scheme, a copy of which was laid in draft before Seanad Éireann on 22nd March, 2007. 4.Minutes of the Meeting of 28th March 2007 This item was taken in private session. 5.Correspondence This item was taken in private session. 6.Adjournment The Joint Committee adjourned at 10.36 a.m. sine die. _______________________ John Cregan, T.D., Chairman April, 2007 Joint Committee on Environment and Local GovernmentMinutes of meeting25th April, 20071.The Joint Committee met in Room 3, Leinster House 2000 at 2.00 p.m. 2.Attendance: Deputies John Cregan (in the Chair), Ciaran Cuffe, Noel Grealish, and Senators Cyprian Brady and Michael Brennan 3.Minutes of the Meeting of 5th April 2007 This item was taken in private session. 4.Correspondence This item was taken in private session. 5.Annual Report 2007 This item was taken in private session. 6.Travel Reports This item was taken in private session 7.Adjournment The Joint Committee adjourned at 2.08 p.m. sine die. _______________________ John Cregan, T.D., Chairman April, 2007 |
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