Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): We are joined today by Dr Stephen McCabe, who is policy and projects officer with Northern Ireland Environment Link, and Pete Mullin, who is the policy representative for the Landscape Institute. Gentlemen, you are very welcome. Would you like to make some opening remarks?

Dr Stephen McCabe (Northern Ireland Environment Link): Thank you, Chair, for your welcome this afternoon and to the Committee for the invitation to give evidence to the inquiry.

For those of you who do not know, Northern Ireland Environment Link is the forum and networking body for non-statutory organisations concerned with the environment in Northern Ireland. Its members represent a significant constituency in Northern Ireland and manage a large land area that delivers a variety of benefits to society. Members are involved in environmental issues at all levels from the local community, which is obviously relevant to this inquiry, to the global environment. Environment Link brings together a wide range of knowledge and expertise that can be used to develop policy and practice.

With regard to the implementation of Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC), a really simple but important point that I would like to make today is that there is a significant body of research that demonstrates that the environment is a key factor in building community cohesion. While no individual or single discipline has all the answers to complex social issues, part of the solution to community division will be found in addressing environmental enhancement. Well-designed and well-maintained shared green space in urban areas has been shown to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, contributing to the establishment of stable societies. As people feel more comfortable and feel more pride in the place where they live, their confidence in their identity increases and they feel less threatened. Furthermore, better integration of things like land and transport planning naturally leads to better functioning places and spaces, which can lead to greater social inclusion.

Green infrastructure is something that we would like to get across to you today. Essentially, it means using green and blue space — vegetation and the water environment —

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): Stephen, I am so sorry.

Dr McCabe: Don't worry.

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): I suspect that we may be away for some time.

Mr Spratt: I propose that we adjourn the meeting, Chair.

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): Would you be willing to come back on another occasion?

Dr McCabe: We would be.

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): I am really sorry.

Dr McCabe: That is how it goes some times. We understand.

Mr Pete Mullin (Landscape Institute): I will change the wording of this —

Mr Lyttle: Chair, I know that we are in a rush, but, for what it is worth, I think it would be a really valuable contribution, so it would be good to reschedule.

The Chairperson (Mr Nesbitt): We would definitely like to reschedule.

We have a proposal from Mr Spratt, and I do not think we need to put it to a vote. We need to adjourn, but hopefully we will get back together.