PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 1999
1. Introduction
2. Draft Press release
3. Presentations by Minister and Officials
4. Programme of Work
5. Secondary Legislation
6. Schedule of Meetings
7. AOB
8. Date of next meeting
Present were:
Mr D Haughey (Chairman)
Mr A Mc Farland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr A Maginness
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:
Rt Hon J D Taylor MP.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10.37am.
Item 1 Introduction
The Chairman introduced the Committee staff and welcomed the Members.
The Chairman reminded Members of the following procedures:
- Registration of interests.
Under Standing Order 62(3) a Member must declare, before taking part in any proceedings of the Assembly or its Committees, any pecuniary interest or benefit of whatever nature which is relevant to the debate or proceedings, whether such pecuniary interest or benefit is held by the Member or an immediate relative. The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members requires that before the first meeting of a Committee, all Members nominated to serve on the Committee are required to send the Clerk details of any pecuniary interests for circulation to the Committee (paragraph 48).
The Chairman confirmed that all Members have sent their details to either the Committee Clerk or to the Clerk of Standards and Privileges. The Committee Clerk will obtain copies and circulate them to the Members. This was agreed.
In addition, under the Code (paragraph 48 ( c)), before proceeding to business, all Members were invited to declare any interests they may have which relate to the terms of reference of the Committee, or which are likely to be relevant to a substantial part of the work which the Committee may be expected to undertake.
Mr D Hussey declared that he has representational roles in Council and in a North-West regional cross-border group.
Mr J Wells declared that he has 1100 shares in Viridian, 1500 shares in Railtrack and is working as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development. He is paid by the Minister. The Chairman will seek advice about any potential conflict of interest.
Mr D Ervine declared that he is chairman of a social club.
The Chairman made Members aware of their continuing obligation to declare interests.
- Privilege.
Under section 50 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, for the purposes of the law of defamation, absolute privilege shall attach to -
- the making of a statement in proceedings of the Assembly;
- the publication of a statement under the Assembly's authority.
The term "proceedings" includes the work of Committees. Written and oral evidence taken by Committees therefore attracts the same privilege as any other proceeding in the Assembly. Any statement made by a witness, whether in oral or written form, to a Committee during the course of its meetings is covered by privilege.
- Confidentiality.
Papers received by the Committee, and the contents of the Committee's private deliberations, are confidential to the Committee until made public in a report to the Assembly or published as evidence. Papers relevant to a particular evidence session held in public are generally made available to the press and public at that session and may thereafter be treated as in the public domain, but other papers may not be published until the Committee has agreed a report.
It is open to the Committee to agree to publish a report or paper at any time (by reporting it to the Assembly) but in the absence of such a decision Members, Committee staff and Committee Specialist Advisers are obliged to treat Committee papers as confidential. Disclosure of an unreported document - in particular of a draft report or agreed report before it has been officially made to the Assembly - may be regarded as a breach of privilege.
Item 2 Draft Press release
The draft press release was agreed and the Clerk will arrange its issue.
Item 3 Presentations by Minister and Officials
Item 4 Programme of Work
The draft programme of work was agreed. The next meeting, therefore, will include a presentation by the Minister and his senior officials.
The Chairman advised that it will be necessary to be briefed at an early stage on the matter of the proposed sale of the Port of Belfast. The issue has huge implications and decisions will have to be made quickly.
The Chairman invited all Members to put forward what they consider to be the key issues to be addressed.
Mr D Ervine: Large planning applications which have still to be cleared and which have wide-ranging implications.
Mr A Mc Farland: The Regional Strategic Framework document and the interface between house planning and road planning.
Mr D Hussey: Development of the infrastructure the province and service deficits especially in roads, the Port of Belfast issue and concerns about the West of the province.
Mr W Hay: The infrastructure, especially of roads, and underspends in North and North-West of province. The Port of Belfast matter and its implications for smaller ports.
Mr R Hutchinson: Port of Belfast and its affects on Larne and the coastline of Antrim. Also the roads in that area and the effect on the community.
Mr J Wells: The Regional Strategic Framework document. Also the relationship with the Department of the Environment regarding planning issues.
Mr C Murphy: The need to focus on overall policies, taking account of wider issues on all parts of this island and in Europe.
Mr J Byrne: The need for balanced development and for investment and infrastructure in North-West to enable that area to compete especially along border areas. There is a major problem with funding.
Mr A Maginness: Public transport and the major financial consequences of the Port of Belfast matter.
Mr D Haughey: The A6 Toome by-pass and roads infrastructure between the two motorways in East Tyrone. Also the inadequacy of the sewerage system and its effect on development.
It was agreed that an urgent meeting about the Port of Belfast is necessary and that it should be arranged before Christmas.
Item 5 Secondary Legislation
It was agreed that the Examiner of Statutory Rules should report to the Committee on the technical issues while the Committee will consider the merits/policy. The Chairman will write to the Assembly Commission about the examination of Statutory Rules.
Item 6 Schedule of Meetings
The Committee is due to meet each Wednesday at 10.30am in room 135 and it was agreed that this schedule should be adhered to where possible.
Item 7 AOB
Mr Mc Farland asked about the Committee's budget. The Clerk will copy the information to Members.
Mr Ervine voiced concerns about the Minister for Regional Development's decision not to participate in meetings of the Executive Committee. It was agreed that this would be raised with the Minister.
Item 8 Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 15 December 1999 at 10.30am in room135.
Meeting closed at 11.45am.