COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Minutes of Proceedings

Wednesday, 06 JUNE 2007
Senate Chamber, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Jim Wells MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
George Robinson MLA
Brian Wilson MLA

In Attendance:
Debbie Pritchard (Principal Assembly Clerk)
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Gillian Lyness (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Clerical Supervisor)
Tom Skelton (Clerical Officer)
Stephanie Galbraith (Researcher)

Apologies:
Willie Clarke MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA

The meeting opened at 10.04 am in public session.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Draft Minutes.

Minutes of the meeting of 30 May 2007 were agreed

3. Matters Arising.

The Committee noted:

• Information has been received from the Department on the Ports Policy Review;
• The distribution list and letter inviting stakeholders to speak to their written submissions on 20 June 2007;
• The Principal Clerk reported back to the Committee on the question of Committee access to papers. The Principal Clerk made contact with the Department which has agreed to compile the information requested which will be with the Committee by 29 June 2007.

4. Subordinate Legislation.

The Committee noted that SL1 The Harbour Works (Environment Impact Assessment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 is cross-cutting with DARD. Members agreed that consideration of this SL1 is to be deferred until views are received from the DARD Committee.

Cathal Boylan asked for further information on SL1 The Waiting Restrictions (Keady) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007.

The Committee resolved it was content, with the above two exceptions, with the SL1s tabled on 23 May 2007 and 30 May 2007.

5. Revised Work Programme.

Members noted revisions to the work programme. The Committee resolved to ask the Minister to brief the Committee on 4 July 2007.

6. Correspondence.

Members noted the following correspondence:

• The Residents Association of Cherryvalley has requested a meeting to discuss the volume and speed of traffic in their area. Members agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson meet with the group;
• A letter has been received from the Energy Saving Trust (EST). Members decided to write to the EST thanking it for its letter and information;
• A letter received from Quarry Products Association requesting a meeting and inviting Members to a site visit. Members decided to write to the Quarry Products Association thanking it for its briefing and offering to meet after summer recess;
• Receipt of the advance copy of the Department for Regional Development’s draft disability Action Plan. The Committee decided to ask officials to brief the Committee on 20 June 2007, and agreed to consider the Action Plan on that date.

7. Research Papers

The Committee noted the following research papers:

• Northern Ireland Water Ltd – Department for Regional Development’s Statutory Powers; and
• Northern Ireland Water Ltd – Strategic Business Plan Analysis.

Meeting went into closed session – 10.22 am
Meeting went into public session – 10.25 am.

8. Briefing from Northern Ireland Water Ltd.

Senor executives from Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIWL), Katharine Bryan, Chief Executive, Chris Mellor, Chairman, Ronan Larkin, Director of Finance and Regulation, and William Duddy, Director of Customer Services, gave a short presentation to the Committee. Following a questions and answer session the Officials agreed to forward additional information to the Committee.

NIWL executives left the meeting 12.06 pm.
Meeting went into closed session 12.08 pm.

9. Letter to Minister on Review of Water and Sewerage.

Members agreed the paragraphs to be included in a letter to the Minister on the terms of reference for the Review of Water and Sewerage. Members decided that the Chairperson should forward the letter, as amended, to the Minister today.

10. Date, venue and time of next meeting.

The Committee agreed that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 13 June 2007 at 10.00am and in Room 144.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.25 pm.

Signed: Fred Cobain MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development.

Dated: ………………………………………….

 

30 May 2007 / MENU