PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON
WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2001
IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Matters arising
3. Port of Belfast
4. Programme of work
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 D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr P McNamee
Mr G Savage
Apologies:
Mr J Byrne
Mr R Hutchinson
Absent:
Mr J Wells
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Executive Support)
Mrs S Young (Administrative Support)
Ms L Wilson (Assembly Research Team)
The meeting commenced at 10.37am.
The Chairman welcomed Mr George Savage as a Member of the Regional Development Committee replacing, on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, Rt. Hon. John Taylor MP.
Mr Savage had no pecuniary interest or benefit of relevance to the Committee to declare.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2001 were agreed.
2. Matters arising
Mr Ervine joined the meeting at 10.39am.
Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 10.40am.
(a) Review of legislative process.
The Committee discussed the difficulties that have arisen to date with regards to the processing of legislation.
Agreed: That the Chairman will respond to the Chairman of the Committee on Procedures outlining the points Members would like to be considered in the study.
(b) Transport system in Glasgow.
The written submission from the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive is awaited.
(c) Closure of the Antrim to Knockmore railway line.
The Committee discussed the Minister's letter and the letters received by the Deputy Chairman on the matter.
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 11.02am.
Agreed:
- That the Clerk will write to the Department highlighting the Committee's concerns about the possible closure and requesting no decision or action on closure be made until the Committee has fully considered the issue.
- That the Chairman will raise the Committee's concerns with the Minister.
- That the Committee will return to the matter at its meeting on 21 February 2001 when more information from the Department will be available and when the economic appraisal from Translink on the issue is likely to be completed.
- That the Clerk will write to Antrim and Lisburn Councils asking for their views on the possible closure.
(d) GMB report on public transport.
The report from the Trade Union is unlikely to arrive before the discussion on bus licences at the meeting on 31 January 2001. The representatives of GMB have been approached and any available information will be sent to the Committee.
(e) Roads Service Pay Negotiations
The Department's reply is awaited.
The meeting moved to public session.
3. Port of Belfast
Officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel joined the meeting at 11.06am.The Officials were:
Mr Victor Hewitt Central Expenditure Policy Division
Mr David Sterling Supply
They spoke to the Committee about the Minister for Finance and Personnel's letter dated 9 January 2001 on the public expenditure aspects of any restructuring of the Port of Belfast. They described the public expenditure system and the implications of the new Resource Accounting and Budgeting system for organisations classified as public corporations. They answered Members questions on the subject and agreed to raise their concerns with the Minister.
Mr Ervine left the meeting at 11.47am.
The officials left the meeting at 12.09 pm.
The meeting returned to private session.
The Committee debated the Port of Belfast issue further.
Agreed:
- That the Clerk will obtain information on the investment in infrastructure made by the Trust Port of Dover.
- That the Chairman and Deputy will meet with the Minister and discuss the way forward on the Port of Belfast matter.
- That the Chairman will discuss the Committee's views with the Minister for Finance and Personnel.
4. Programme of Work
The Committee discussed the proposed programme of work up to April 2001.
Agreed: (i) That the Clerk will make the necessary arrangements for the matters detailed in the programme and keep the Committee informed of any changes.
(ii) That the briefings on the bus licensing issue at next week's meeting will be in public session
5. AOB
- Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) studies into Road Openings for utilities and Water Services.
The Department's response to the questions asked on this matter is awaited.
Agreed:
- That the NIAO be asked when the reports on the studies can be expected.
- the Clerk should seek clarification as to the Committee's role in respect of any relevant audit reports submitted to the Public Accounts Committee.
6. Date of next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 31 January 2001 at 10.30am. in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 12.39pm.