COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2007
GREAT HALL, MAGEE COLLEGE, LONDONDERRY
Present: Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Willie Clarke MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA
George Robinson MLA
Jim Wells MLA
Brian Wilson MLA
In Attendance: Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Gillian Lyness (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Clerical Supervisor)
Jill McCoubrey (Clerical Officer)
Stephanie Galbraith (Researcher)
The meeting opened at 10.32 am in public session.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
2. Chairperson’s Business
- Members noted that a guidance note had been prepared by the Director of Legal Services on sub judice and contempt of court.
- Members noted next week’s Committee meeting would take place in the Board Room of Newry and Mourne District Council Buildings followed by a visit to Warrenpoint Harbour.
- Members were content to allow Research to publish research papers prepared for the Committee for Regional Development on the internet, having first removed references to the Committee.
- Members were content to publish the letter to the Minister dated 11 October 2007 in response to the Independent Water Review Panel’s Stand One Report.
- Members were content and all Members supportive of tabling a committee motion, ‘that this Assembly notes the publication of the Independent Water Review Panel’s Strand One Report.’
3. Draft Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 8, 9, 10 and 11 October 2007 were agreed.
John Dallat joined the meeting at 10.40 am
4. Matters Arising
- Members noted the letter dated 11 October 2007 from Iain Osborne, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation to Minister Conor Murphy, MP MLA providing the regulators’ views to the Minister on the Strand One Report.
- Members noted the letter from the Department dated 10 October 2007 outlining further information on the Blue Badge Scheme.
- Members were content to accept the Department’s proposal that it copies the Committee into the outcomes of the Titanic Quarter Inter-departmental Communications and Co-ordination Group.
Members of the ‘Into the West’ Lobby Group joined the meeting at 10.44 am
5. Briefing from the ‘Into the West’ Lobby Group.
Colm Joyce and Eamonn McCann from the ‘Into the West’ Railway Lobby Group briefed the Committee. Members decided to ask the Department for some further information on revenues on the Belfast Londonderry line.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 11.05 am.
Members of the ‘Into the West’ Lobby Group left the meeting at 11.25 am.
6. Subordinate Legislation.
Members were content with the SL1s noted at the meeting of 10 October 2007 . These are:
- The Ballyboley Road, Larne (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- The B2 Silverwood Road, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- The Moneymore Road, Cookstown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- The Roshure Road, Desertmartin (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007; and
- The Bus Lanes (Antrim Road, Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Members noted the following new SL1 received:
- The Extinguishment of Right to use Vehicles on Roads (Antrim) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007.
- Members noted the following Statutory Rules subject to negative resolution. The Examiner of Statutory Rules will forward his report before the end of the statutory period.
- 2007/412 The College Park, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- 2007/413 The Finvoy Road, Ballymoney (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- 2007/414 The Sandholes Road, Cookstown, (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- 2007/415 The A22 Downpatrick Road, Killyleagh (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- 2007/422 The U1110 Green Road, Londonderry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007;
- 2007/426 The Steelstown Road, Londonderry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007; and
- 2007/427 The Galgorm Road, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007.
7. Correspondence noted.
- DETI press release dated 12 September 2007 – ‘new £3.6 million north west business centre opened.’
- Letter to Chairperson Fred Cobain from Councillor Stephen Nicholl in relation to the forthcoming inquiry in relation to the duelling of the A6 between Randalstown and Toome. Members agreed to invite a group from the farm business-owners to brief the Committee once the inspector’s report and public inquiry are completed.
- Water Service and Annual Report and Accounts 2006 – 07 now laid in the Business Office and available in the committee office for Members information.
- Letter from the Department dated 8 October 2007 to John Sedgwick on the subject of the over development in Ballyrobert. Members agreed to write to Mr Sedgwick noting the Department’s response and informing him that this response would be forwarded to the Environment Committee.
- Letter from the Department dated 10 October 2007, outlining the impact of the proposed Budget 2007 efficiency savings on the activities of the Department.
Members agreed to note receipt and would return to this as part of the draft budget. - Letter from Gordon Best of the Quarry Products Association enclosing written answers from the Minister in response to Danny Kennedy’s questions on roads maintenance funding (AQW 498/08 and AQW 496/08).
Members agreed to note receipt and to ask Gordon Best of the Quarry Products Association to brief the Committee. - Information from Northern Ireland Water dated 12 October 2007, clarifying the figures previously supplied on operating costs efficiencies.
Members noted receipt of the information and agreed to write to thank Northern Ireland Water for its response.
8. Any Other Business.
There was no other business.
9. Date, venue and time of next meeting.
Next week’s meeting will be in the Board Room of Newry and Mourne District Council Buildings, Monaghan Row, Newry at 10.30 am followed by a visit to Warrenpoint Harbour.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.30 pm.
Signed: