Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday, 2 February 2000 at 10.30am
in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. The Department's budget
2. Minutes of the last meeting
3. Matters arising
4. Roads and Water Services
5. Date of next meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A Mc Farland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Mr J Wells
In Attendance:
Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie ( Executive Support)
Mrs S Young ( Administrative Support)
Apologies:
Mr D Ervine
Mr D Hussey
Rt Hon J D Taylor
Mr W Hay
1. The Department's budget
The Chairman (Mr McFarland chaired this session) welcomed Professor Mike Smyth from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown who briefed the Committee on the contents of the Department's budget paper, the technical terms used and issues on which to seek advice from the Minister.
2. Minutes of the last meeting.
(Mr Maginness resumed the Chair)
The minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2000 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
(a) Parliamentary Private Secretary Post - Potential Conflict of Interests.
The Chairman advised that Minister Robinson and Minister Dodds will discuss the matter with the Speaker.
(b) Port of Belfast.
- The Department's options paper.
- Leases issued by Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
- Summary of the Committee's consideration to date.
- Meetings with Larne Harbour and Belfast City Council (BCC).
The paper, being prepared by officials from the Department, is not ready yet. The Committee wishes to see it immediately it is published and before all other groups.
Information about the leases has been requested and a response is awaited.
The Committee noted the paper prepared by the Clerk summarising the Committee's considerations to date on the Port of Belfast matter.
The Committee noted the reports on the meetings held with representatives of Larne Harbour and BCC on 26 January 2000.
(c) Letter from NIC-ICTU about disability impact studies.
Agreed: That the Chairman will write to the Department and ask for details of the procedures that will be put in place to ensure that any policy proposals sent to the Committee meet the requirements of Section 74 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
(d) Meeting with Minister.
The Committee noted a report on the Meeting which the Chairman and his Deputy had with the Minister on 10 January 2000.
(e) The possible expansion of Belfast City Airport.
A reply from the Department is awaited on this matter.
4. Roads and Water Services
The Committee noted the information provided by the Roads and Water Services Agencies as a follow up to their presentations on 12 January 2000.
5. Date of next meeting
The next meeting was arranged for Wednesday, 9 February 2000 in room 135 Parliament Buildings at 10.30am.