Roy Beggs
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I declare an interest as owner of 25 acres of agricultural land; also, my parents run a small agricultural business. <BR /> <BR />There is a shortage of fertiliser, and the Minister has referred to the present difficulties in Ukraine that are contributing to that. That shortage exists even at the exorbitant cost of £1,000 per ton.”
“of public bodies in Northern Ireland. That is vital in order to reassure the public that money is being spent appropriately. That is to be done independently.”
“There has been a very close working relationship and a close partnership. Where issues needed highlighted and where the Assembly, through its scrutiny mechanisms, needed to dig deeper to get better value and better accountability, that occurred.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to reflect on the close working relationship that there has been between the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Northern Ireland Audit Office, which the C&AG oversees and manages, and the Assembly, particularly the Public Accounts Committee.”
“As we consider this motion to nominate a new Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland, it is important that we reflect on the importance that the role has in any democracy. The C&AG in Northern Ireland is the head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office.”
“P&O has brutally cast its workforce aside in a Dickensian fashion. There was no consultation or notice, and the company delivered a live message by video link. Will the Minister clarify whether the P&O redundancy announcement is covered by maritime law, Northern Ireland employment law or GB employment law?”
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“He will have to consult with the Committee if he wants to get them through the Assembly, and he will have to get the approval of the Assembly. Members, I ask you to act today, to not further delay the issue and to enable improvements in our scrap metal industry, as that will make the pollution that is presently happening avoidable.”
“If that is the only thing that, frankly, my Bill comes out with at this stage, it will have been worthwhile because it will have helped to close unlicensed sites, which are frequently involved in incidents. Again, evidence was presented about such incidents; for example, 3 tons of copper cable was on one of those unlicensed sites. There is the potential for stolen metal to be distributed through such sites. They have nothing to fear; they do not have a licence anyway, so you cannot threaten them by saying, "We are going to take your licence away". It is clear that we need more powers to deal with unlicensed sites. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Assembly to start the process of giving the Minister that power today. Ultimately, he has to go and make regulations and to come back and consult with the industry to try to get them right.”
“It then details a whole series of issues to be addressed. Ultimately, it would be a court taking the decision, with judges satisfying themselves that it is appropriate to issue a closure licence. I say again that, clearly, we have a problem today. We have pollution on unlicensed sites, so I will put this to the Assembly: what are you proposing to do today? Frankly, if all that my Bill were to achieve was the closure of unlicensed sites, that would be a service to the environment and to the scrap metal industry because the metal would go to licensed sites and to those operating within the law. <BR /> <BR />I ask Members to think very carefully about amendment No 40, which the Minister indicated he is supportive of and can see benefit from. I ask you to support it so that we can stop the environmental pollution.”
“I think the Minister's comments help to clarify in my mind what he said. I was getting worried in case he was saying that the new amendments created difficulties, so I thank you for the clarification that the new method, through amendment No 40, would have to be consulted on. That would have to be consulted on; it is in the amendments that I have. As I say, amendment No 46 requires that it would have to be consulted upon. Let me read amendment No 40, which states:”
“Amendment No 46 would require the regulations made under new clause 14A, which is referred to in amendment No 40, to be consulted upon, and, ultimately, they would have to be approved by the Assembly. I think it would be foolhardy for any Minister to bring regulations forward to the Assembly without carefully engaging with the industry and, indeed, the Committee. That is my understanding, so I am happy to give way to the Minister if he wishes to clarify whether it is that consultation, which would be available during the regulation process, that gives him concern or whether it is the very legislation itself. As I say, I am happy to give way if he wishes to engage.”
“I thank the Minister for that clarification. I, for one, would not wish to endanger any legislation. I listened carefully to what the Minister said, and I am happy to give way if he wants to clarify if there is a requirement for the regulations, as indicated under amendment No 46. It is very clear that the proposals in amendment No 40 would have to go to consultation.”
“I thank those who have contributed. The comments have largely followed those on the group 1 amendments earlier. I thank Alban Maginness for his encouraging words. Looking into some of the aspects of what my colleague Alastair Patterson highlighted, there has been clear evidence of the current system not working, and, in fact, a police officer gave evidence to an Assembly Committee expressing his concern that, two years later — and perhaps it is longer than that now — the illegal activity of unlicensed waste management had been occurring. That is still occurring today, and that pollution is still entering our waterways. In that regard, it is an aspect for the Department of the Environment.”
“Can the Member explain what difficulty he sees with a constable or licensed environmental official going in to inspect premises?”
“I also indicate my opposition to schedule 2. I oppose it because an alternative mechanism has been proposed as part of the amendments. I ask Members to support my Bill. I ask them to consider, at the very least, some key aspects that we can support today to improve our environment and give greater powers to the Department to ensure that illegal operations that are damaging the environment and taking trade away from legitimate tradesmen — those who operate licensed sites — can be closed down more swiftly. I ask Members to support what I have said.”
“Clearly, it would not be a shot in the dark, and any proposals for a move to a cashless system or for new regulations for closing sites, as in amendment No 40, would have to approved by the Assembly. We have problems today with the operation of illegal sites, which, apparently, cannot be closed. What are we going to do about it today? I ask Members to support that aspect. <BR /> <BR />I turn to clause 17. I notice that some Members have indicated their opposition to clause 17 standing part. I view it as fairly normal for this type of legislation, and, as I said, key protections have been built in where they are appropriate. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to amendment No 52. I am sorry, I have lost my way. Sorry — just give me a moment. No, I will leave it at that. <BR /> <BR />A number of amendments can bring about good.”
“It is a clever idea to neatly merge that with existing legislation and include it as part of the process. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 46 makes it explicit that clause 10, which deals with cashless transactions, and new clause 14A, which is detailed in amendment No 40 and deals with regulations for closing sites, would both require Assembly approval. Very explicitly, the regulations would have to be developed and would have to receive approval in the Assembly. If anyone has any fears about a lack of consultation, this is very explicit that in both regards any regulations developed by the Department would have to be brought back here and consulted on. The Minister would be wise to take them to the Committee and allow scrutiny there, and ultimately they would be voted on in the Assembly.”
“That is a fundamental right that an individual should have if someone wishes to come onto their property, so it is fully understandable and I support it. <BR /> <BR />I fail to understand the opposition to clause 14 standing part. Why would you want to oppose the right of an authorising officer to enter and inspect? I hope that that will be explained by others who have indicated their opposition to clause 14 standing part. There are amendments, as I have indicated, with a departmental origin. Why refuse authorisation for a departmental officer or constable to inspect? <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 45 defines a site manager. In fact, it says that the site manager should be identified as part of the licence. Again, that is a neat way of identifying the site manager as part of the waste management licensing.”
“That could be an important aspect of the cross-border task force. Should they decide that that is something that they wish to pursue, we would at least have the enabling power in the Department. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 22, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37 and 38 would ensure that an authorised official of the Department or a constable was empowered to take action. Amendment Nos 23, 24, 26 and 28 more clearly define the premises for inspection, and I support all of them. Amendment No 27 enables the person who appears to be in charge to be treated as the manager of the site. That is important and will ensure that the excuse "No one's in charge" cannot be used. That is an amendment worth supporting. Amendment No 35 enables authorised officers and constables to be included in the requirements to show evidence of their powers.”
“Again, I highlight the new cross-border crime task force that has been created. Waste management crime is an aspect of cross-border crime, and I point again to the three tons of copper cable found in a scrapyard in Fermanagh. There was a lack of traceability of who supplied that, despite it being obvious that it had come originally from the Republic of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Cashless transactions can be a useful tool in avoiding difficulty in following an audit trail, so there are benefits. I highlight that this is enabling legislation, because there would be difficulty if we in Northern Ireland brought forward cashless transactions on our own. It is important that the move to cashless transactions comes in in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at the one time so as to not distort trade.”
“We have an opportunity, through this Bill, to correct that. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to clause 10, on the offence of buying scrap metal for cash. Again, following discussions, I wish to replace clause 10 — I indicate my opposition to it — with a new clause as indicated at amendment No 11. This would create enabling powers. Consultation would have to occur with the Department of Justice, the Chief Constable and representatives of the scrap metal industry.”
“I recognise the benefits of having consistent proposals operating across waste management generally and the wider powers that may come therein. Again, I point to the evidence given by the PSNI that, where there is damage occurring to an environment and continuing for some time despite the absence of a licence, clearly additional powers are needed. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 40 enables regulations to be made by the Department of the Environment for closure orders for a site such as that referred to. If approved by the Assembly, a consultation would be required. When you look at what is being laid out, you see that there would be a requirement for the court to issue a closure order if the court were to be convinced of the need and justification. Clearly there is a gap in the legislation.”
“Again, I indicate that the amendments in my name and opposition to clauses stand part of the Bill in my name, such as clause 7, follow the proposals that originally came forward from the departmental draftsman during that earlier engagement. <BR /> <BR />My opposition to clause 7 and schedule 2 as a method of closing unlicensed sites also stems, to a degree, from the decision to opt for waste management licensing rather than separate scrap metal dealer licensing. The Department had indicated that it wants to widen powers for closure of unlicensed waste management sites. You will see that I have proposed amendment No 40, which fits better into the departmental proposals for waste management sites generally.”
“<BR /> <BR />I greatly welcome the late engagement by departmental officials, and I recognise their cleverness — I am big enough to acknowledge that a more subtle way of obtaining the objective, ensuring that there would not be duplication, was clearly identified. I myself thought that, when the Department was enabled to make regulations, it could match them to the waste management regulations, but I recognise the neatness of its proposal and ask Members to carefully consider the amendments that are before them. I am talking about the new shape of the Bill — about the amendments that are in my name — and asking whether some aspects of it, at least, are worthy of approving now, to allow the Department to get on with bringing about improvements in our regulatory procedures and in the governance of Northern Ireland. Thank you.”
“<BR /> <BR />I ask why we cannot start today by approving enabling legislation, such as on the issue of the stop notice, so that the Department subsequently can do the consultation right from the end of the life of this Assembly and bring back to the next Assembly firm proposals, having thought up that regulation. The Bill, when amended, would require the regulations to come back for approval by the Assembly. Rather than put off that process — I do not know whether for three months, six months or a year — why not start it today? That is all I ask. Much of this issue has been parked and is not being handled. I want to move forward by addressing the weaknesses that have emerged during my investigation of scrap metal dealer legislation elsewhere and comparison of it with ours.”
“I thank the Member for his comments. My difficulty is with continuing to say, "Yes, we will do something in the future". As I said earlier, criminality and pollution continue. Pollution still occurs from illegal sites, and it would appear that the Department does not have sufficient powers. In that regard I refer to the amendment on the stop notice, because, although there is the power to prosecute, that requires a lengthy period to build up evidence, present the case through the system and go to court eventually — sometimes after more than two years. On the evidence I referred to earlier, pollution is still occurring two years after the difficulty has been identified.”
“I acknowledge that to do so requires joined-up government, but maybe that is what we should be looking for, rather than operating separately. <BR /> <BR />I ask Members to think carefully about the Bill and the amendments. I am picking up concern from many parts of the Chamber, but I ask Members to consider whether there are aspects that are not a risk — that neither threaten viability nor create uncertainty — and whether at least some aspects can continue, which would —”
“New plastic would be moulded round it, and energy would then be used to reinstall it. Part of this will bring about environmental improvement as well. As I said, I have a preference for doing it through the waste side to minimise the cost and the bureaucracy.”
“Again, I ask Members to consider that. <BR /> <BR />Alban Maginness was adamant that the Bill should be dealt with by Justice. I have difficulty with that. The proposal works neatly with waste management, and there would be minimal cost. One of the difficulties that emerged in the evidence was that 3 tons of copper Eircom cable was found in a scrap metal site. If my memory serves me right, it was an illegal scrap metal site. However, because it was not possible to trace where it was bought by that individual, there was no audit trail to identify who stole it in the first place or who sold it. That is very wasteful of the world's resources. It is expensive for companies and the public, who, ultimately, will have to pay for it. Remember that, ultimately, that bit of cable will be melted down and reformed using considerable energy.”
“It is for that reason that I have tabled amendment No 44, which would bring about a degree of flexibility. However, we do not need to be nervous about some of the other aspects. Cathal Boylan expressed concern about aspects being rushed. A number of proposals in the amendments are about enabling legislation. This is not the regulation; it is simply to enable the Department to develop, consult on and bring forward regulation that will bring about improvement. That will necessitate consultation with the industry and consideration by the relevant Assembly Committee. I refer to the stop notice idea and the idea — it is perhaps in a different section — of cashless trading, which was referred to by others. This is merely enabling legislation: the detailed consideration of aspects of the Bill could be taken forward at that subsequent stage.”
“The requirement for scrap metal dealers and mobile waste operators to display their licence is not controversial or expensive. <BR /> <BR />The voluntary code was referred to by Anna Lo and Pam Cameron. You might not realise it, but England and Wales had a voluntary code. When they wanted to legislate for it, guess what? They brought in the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill. They legislated for that to strengthen it. If you simply said, "Yes, let's operate with a regulatory code, something that would be required", you would soon find yourself with something close to what I have here or the picture that emerged following discussions with the departmental officials. You would end up with something close to what we have. <BR /> <BR />Anna Lo mentioned that officials had a degree of nervousness about some of the changes. I accept that.”
“I hope that Members will bear it in mind that there are some unscrupulous individuals involved in the trade — a very, very small number — and, if someone were to indicate support for aspects that they disagreed with, they would so at risk, whether to their business or their person. Just to be clear, that is my understanding of why no one went on record to give evidence to the Committee: they did not know what questions they would be asked or whether they would say something that might cause difficulty later. <BR /> <BR />With regard to aspects of this that might cause economic difficulties for the scrap metal trade, I recognise that that is a legitimate concern. However, as I said in my earlier remarks, some of the aspects that have been proposed can stand on their own.”
“Equally, serious organised crime has been involved in the destruction of power lines and the wrapping-up of perhaps half a mile of cable. Just one or two individuals cannot do that. Serious organised crime is involved in the theft of metal. Regrettably, some individuals who process scrap metals also are unscrupulous. They do not follow waste management guidelines or the code of conduct. <BR /> <BR />I spoke to some of the responsible individuals working in the industry. I enquired as to why nobody was going on the record. What I was told was, "If you stick your neck out, some of these unscrupulous individuals might just come back and bite you". If you want to know why members of the organised trade are nervous about coming forward, it is because they might be attacked. That is why.”
“Indeed, I note that no one wanted to give evidence on the record. Has anyone thought why? The vast majority of scrap metal dealers are hard-working individuals, working long hours often in difficult conditions. They follow environmental regulations as best they can. The vast majority follow the voluntary code that is there to deter theft, as was referred to. But it is not all. Some unscrupulous individuals operate without any waste licences and without adhering to any voluntary code. When people are prepared to ignore environmental legislation and the voluntary code, you can expect them to have little regard for the law. <BR /> <BR />As we are aware, serious organised crime has undoubtedly been involved in illegal waste management in Northern Ireland. Dumping large amounts of household waste is the issue that comes to mind.”
“It is also better that we try to minimise the bureaucracy and that the Assembly and the Executive have joined-up governance. I appreciate that the Minister needed Executive approval before he could go ahead with the proposals that were emanating from his Department, but we should not operate in silos. I certainly would have wished for more time. I accept that more time would certainly have benefited the process and might have allowed detailed scrutiny by the Committee of the Minister's proposals. <BR /> <BR />A point raised by a number of Members — the Chair, Anna Lo; Pam Cameron; Cathal Boylan; and Alban Maginness — concerned the limited evidence received from scrap metal dealers. The Committee had difficulty engaging with the scrap metal industry, and it certainly had difficulty getting anything on the record.”
“I have to commend the Department of the Environment officials, who have come up with a very neat way of attaining largely the same objectives, which will help them do their work as well but are tagged on to the waste management licensing process. If anything, that has reinforced for me throughout the process that we are more likely to tighten up the traceability of metal theft and protect the environment by doing it on the environmental side of things. I suspect that, if the Bill were to go to the Department of Justice, it would mean scrap metal dealers having to apply for another licence and another layer of bureaucracy. It would also mean another Bill, so it is much better that the one process should do that.”
“I thank everyone who contributed to our discussions. Anna Lo, the Chairperson of the Committee, Alban Maginness and, indeed, to a degree, the Minister, continued the theme of whether the Bill should be with Environment or Justice. Having been through all this process, my assessment is that it should be done as environmental legislation, and this is why I think that. We are aware of the budget difficulties in every Department. If we were to go to Justice, we would have to carve out perhaps £1 million to set up a new licensing regime for scrap metal dealers.”
“Would the Member care to comment on the specific idea of requiring those who have waste licences to display them? What is controversial about that simple proposal? Why can it not happen now, so that the public can know whether they are dealing with someone who has engaged with and respects the licensing regime?”
“<BR /> <BR />To those considering opposing aspects of the Bill through the group 1 amendments, I ask you to advise how you will improve the regulatory framework to help to reduce theft, catch criminals and improve the licensing and running of sites so that the environment will not be affected. I ask you to support the amendments that I indicated and where I indicated my opposition to clauses and schedule 1 standing part of the Bill.”
“So I ask that you support the inclusion of clause 16. <BR /> <BR />I now come to clause 18 and with it amendment Nos 47 to 54, which are related to the change in the reliance on a waste management licensing regime rather than on licensing for dealing in scrap metal. They follow that general principle, and I ask you to support them. <BR /> <BR />Cathal Boylan and others have given notice that they will oppose the Question that clause 18 stand part of the Bill. I view that only as an attempt to wreck the Bill by removing the definitions and possibly leaving the Bill unworkable, with aspects referred to without being defined. I am disappointed in such an approach, so I ask Members to support the inclusion of clause 18.”
“<BR /> <BR />It seems as though there is no problem with metal theft in Northern Ireland; there seems to be a lack of urgency to bring about improvements. I remind Members of the legislation that has been brought in in England and Wales and in Scotland and of the positive benefit that has been attributed to it in reducing scrap metal theft. I also remind Members that the Republic of Ireland in 2014 brought forward its own statutory instrument, number 320, which gives a degree of traceability for the entire waste management system. The concept of creating an audit trail is not new; in fact, we are the exception. As such, we are vulnerable to use and abuse by criminals. If we want to deter metal theft, lead being stolen off homes or churches, copper being ripped out of substations or cables being ripped up, we have to increase traceability.”
“It is important that we try to minimise the bureaucracy involved as we try to create greater accountability and regulation and an audit trail of where scrap metal is coming from. <BR /> <BR />Turning to amendment No 44, I indicated at the start that all the amendments in my name originated from discussions with the Department. However, there was an involvement with a departmental draftsman who had been involved in the original Scrap Metal Dealers Bill, with the exception of amendment No 44. Like officials, I recognised the possible need for refinement in defining "scrap metal dealer" and "scrap metal" itself. So, what is and is not covered could be changed following detailed consultation by the Department. This amendment would enable a minimum of bureaucracy to be developed and applied following consultation with the industry.”
“<BR /> <BR />I highlighted to officials that I did not want a high regulation regime involving, for example, selling a car mirror, which may be recycled.”
“The change from one year to two years came at the request of officials, who highlighted the fact that two years was already required under the existing waste management regime, and it would be best to follow suit. I agree, so I support the amendment in my name. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to amendment Nos 18 and 21. I have taken advice from officials and support those amendments. I accept that they link better to the waste management regime. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to clause 16 and amendment Nos 42, 43 and 44. With amendment Nos 42 and 43, it is better to link scrap metal dealing to the existing waste licensing regime. I am happy to push those forward. Subsection (3A) of amendment No 42 follows my policy intention of limiting the scope from areas where intervention is not needed, so minimising bureaucracy.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a notice of opposition to clause 8, in the name of Cathal Boylan and others. It would be helpful if they could explain why they oppose the display of waste management licences. I look forward to hearing that. How would the public be aware of whether they are dealing with an individual who is ignoring the waste management licensing regime? I would have thought that it was a rather simple and uncontroversial proposal, which should not cause difficulty. I look forward to hearing what others have to say. It could be implemented at little if any cost to the Department and little cost to those who hold the licences. It would enable the public to play their part by enabling them to use licensed operators, and they could report others who may not be licensed. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to amendment No 17.”
“There is a need to be more aware that mobile scrap metal dealers, who should be registered as waste carriers, actually are registered. This idea of displaying their licence would do that. It would then become apparent, when such individuals drive into licensed yards, because there could be an audit trail, which would help to tighten up the industry. What is wrong with this idea? I think that it stands on its own merit. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 6 is consequential or tidying and is associated with a change to reliance on waste management legislation. <BR /> <BR />I view amendment No 7 as a tidying or technical amendment. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to amendment No 8. This change was referred to earlier, and it utilises waste management licensing regulations, with references to waste dealers and waste carriers.”
“I turn now to amendment No 5, which will simply require registered waste carriers to display their licences, which should have been applied for and obtained under waste legislation. Again, that will enable the public to see whether a mobile scrap metal dealer has the necessary permission to operate. I emphasise the importance of that information, which was given to me during my consultation, highlighting the fact that individuals may be content to ignore waste carrier licences because they could equally be willing to profit from trade in stolen metal. <BR /> <BR />I am a member of the Public Accounts Committee, and we were advised, when dealing with fraud, that, when unscrupulous individuals were happy to deal with one area of crime or fraud, they could equally be involved in another.”
“<BR /> <BR />Now, I turn to amendment No 1, which merely reflects my agreement with the Department to rely on waste management legislation rather than scrap metal dealers by leaving out the word "site" and inserting "waste management". Similarly with amendment Nos 2, 3 and 4, the net result is that individual licensed waste sites will have to display their waste licences issued under waste management legislation.”
“Hardworking individuals are assisting in recycling precious scrap metal resources thus minimising the need for further mining and use of energy resources to obtain metal for the manufacturing industry. However, it is clear that there is evidence of serious organised crime profiting from waste management industries in Northern Ireland; equally, I would say, too, on the periphery of the scrap metal industry. There are scrapyards operating without waste management licences, but there is insufficient powers to close them. Evidence highlights that, for instance, several tons of Eircom cable was found in an illegal scrapyard, but limited powers were available to track down where it came from.”
“In requiring scrap metal dealers and indeed mobile operators to display their licences, the public would be aware of whether the individual or organisation that they may be trading with had a waste management licence. Surely that is not controversial. At present, the public may not be. With the support of the public by not trading with unlicensed and therefore illegal waste operators, trade could be directed from the cowboys who are often also responsible for damaging the environment. That is a very simple clause, which could bring about improvement in the way in which that operates. <BR /> <BR />The vast majority of scrapyards are licensed and operate within the law.”
“In doing so, we would minimise costs to the Department and officials who would monitor scrap metal dealers, and there would also be minimal cost, interference and bureaucracy for scrap metal dealers, who would have to deal only with one set of officials and not possibly two. Although I had always intended that, if the Department had written the regulations, they may have been able to deal with one set of officials, I went along with the Department's proposal which makes it very clear that that would be integrated with the waste management system. For similar reasons, I will oppose that schedule 1 stands part of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I turn to clause 8, which will require licences to be displayed. That is a rather simple idea. I would have thought that it was uncontroversial.”
“I urge Members to support aspects of the Bill to give those additional powers. <BR /> <BR />I could have quietly simply parked the Bill after Committee Stage, but I believe that, because of the merits of the proposals that have come forward following discussions with the Department, it is important that the Assembly should hear them and consider whether it wishes to adopt all or merely aspects of them. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to the detail of the amendments and the opposition to clauses 1 to 6. Following departmental discussions and agreeing with officials, I propose the idea of relying on waste management licences, which my opposition to clauses 1 to 6 has brought forward.”
“I have to credit the departmental officials for what I consider to be a neater solution than that which I originally brought forward. <BR /> <BR />I would also like to highlight comments by a police officer giving evidence to the Committee on 15 December, which were recorded by Hansard. He indicated that, two years ago, there was a yard where oil was running into a tributary river and into Lough Erne. He said that that oil was running from the yard to the water two years ago and is still continuing today. It is clear that our current legislation is insufficient when, two years later, the problem still exists and illegal sites that are identified are still trading and polluting. Clearly, increased powers are required to stop those who are profiting at the expense of the environment.”
“That will remove the concept of scrap metal licensing and, instead, integrate the proposals into the waste management licensing system. I had always sought to link the proposals to the waste management system, as can be seen in my original report on the consultation.”
“<BR /> <BR />I was advised that there was a need to achieve Executive approval for the Minister to table the amendments, but that was not forthcoming. I felt that the amendments had such merit that they should be brought into the public light and considered by the Assembly. It is for that reason that we are here today to debate them. I hope that Members will look at them carefully and see that sections of them can stand on their own and bring about improvement at an early stage. <BR /> <BR />If you examine the amendments, you will see that many changes are simply to remove several clauses and more closely integrate scrap metal proposals with waste management legislation — the regulatory system that already operates in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />After years of being told that these matters were ultra vires and beyond the power of the Department — critical comments on the proposals were made during Committee Stage — finally there was a welcome and dramatic change of approach by the Department. That can be seen in the Hansard report of evidence to the Committee on 2 February 2016. I have no doubt that earlier engagement would have been beneficial and would have allowed the Committee more time for detailed scrutiny of the amendments. I express my appreciation to the officials for their efforts, even at that late stage, because it was clear that considerable effort had been made when they recognised that legislative improvements could be made in scrap metal management to protect the environment and to deter theft.”