Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday, 7 June 2000
in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. New Matters
4. Other Matters
5. Any Other Business
6. Date of next meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A Mc Farland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
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 C Murphy
Meeting commenced at 10.33am.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2000 were agreed.
2. Matters arising
- Parliamentary Private Secretary Post - Potential Conflict of Interests.
- Port of Belfast.
- Regional Development Strategy (RDS)
- Free travel for older people.
The Department has agreed to send copies of the summaries of the replies received to date from District Councils and the report on the pilot scheme completed by Castlereagh and Newry and Mourne District Councils.
Agreed: That the matter will be discussed when the documentation has been received from the Department.
The matter is likely to be resolved by the next meeting.
Mr Hutchinson joined the meeting at 10.40am.
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 10.43am.
Agreed: That Belfast Harbour Commissioners be invited to attend the meeting of 14 June 2000.
That the Committee focus on making a decision on the Port of Belfast issue before the start of recess.
That the Minister is asked about the work the Department is carrying out regarding the extension of powers to Trust Ports.
The Chairman and Deputy Chairman met the Minister on 2 June 2000 and, although the deadline for consultation on the RDS was 31 May 2000, it was agreed that the Committee required more time to consider the matter.
Agreed: That the Regional Development Committee is in the lead on the RDS.
That the Chairman will write to the other Chairmen seeking the views of their Committees on the elements of the Strategy which relate to them.
That Mr Denis Glass from the Department will be invited to make a presentation at a meeting on 16 June 2000.
3. New Matters
- The Draft Equality Scheme
Concerns were raised about the implications of the Equality Scheme for the Department.
- Rail Transport.
The Committee noted that reports from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee's inquiry and the Department's Taskforce are expected in the summer. The Members raised a number of concerns about safety and funding issues.
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 11.57am.
Agreed: That representatives of Translink and Friends of the Earth/Transport 2000 attend the meeting scheduled for 28 June 2000.
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 12.02pm
He returned at 12.03pm.
Mr Byrne left the meeting at 12.05pm.
- Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust.
The papers were noted.
Mr Ervine rejoined the meeting at 12.06pm.
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 11.40am.
Agreed: That Members will prepare comments on the draft scheme by the next meeting and the Committee's views will then be sent to the Department.
Mr Hutchinson rejoined the meeting at 11.44am.
4. Other matters
- Matters outstanding at suspension.
Agreed: That the Clerk will write to the Department to obtain an update on the outstanding matters at the time of suspension.
- Reports issued by the Department during suspension.
The Committee noted the paper.
- Use of the Senate Chamber for Committee meetings.
Mr Byrne rejoined the meeting at 12.08pm.
Agreed: That the Clerk will seek clarification about the admission of witnesses to the Chamber.
- Committee's programme of work.
The Clerk will, for the next meeting, prepare a timetable setting out the programme.
5. AOB
The Committee was concerned at the report in the Belfast Telegraph of 6 June 2000 regarding an outbreak of illness which may have been caused by cryptosporidium.
Agreed: That the Department will be asked to provide a report on the matter.
6. Date of next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 14 June 2000 at 10.30am. in room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 12.16pm.