PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

THURSDAY 11 MARCH 1999 AT 10.15 AM

IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:Mr A Maginness (Joint Chairperson)

Dr I Adamson (representing Mr D McClarty)

Mr R Beggs

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr M McGimpsey

Mr G McHugh (representing Mr A Maskey)

Ms J Morrice

Mr M Morrow

Mr S Neeson

Mr D O'Connor

Mr M Robinson (representing Mr G Campbell)

Mr P Roche

Mr J Tierney

Mr S Wilson (Joint Chairperson)

Apologies:Mr P Doherty

Mr D Watson

In Attendance:Dr S DonnellyMs V Surplus

Mr G MartinMs S Bowman

Mr D Harkin

Mr A Maginness took the Chair.

1.Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were noted and agreed.

2.Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

3.Planning for Oral Evidence

The Joint Chairperson reminded members of the agreed time limits for evidence sessions, and the consequential need to keep questions short and pertinent. He also asked members to exercise a degree of formality and to speak through the Chair, especially for the benefit of the Hansard reporter.

4.Oral Evidence: Port of Larne

Witnesses:Mr D P Galway (Director and General Manger, Port of Larne)

Capt. Gardiner

Mr Galway requested that, if possible, he be given a further opportunity to provide evidence once the definitive proposals for Belfast Port are made available.

5.Oral Evidence: Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Witnesses:Mr F Cushnahan (Chairman)

Mr G Irwin (Chief Executive)

Ms A McLaughlin (Commissioner)

Assembly Member Mr McGimpsey pointed out discrepancies between the information in a letter that he had received from Mr Irwin last year and the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' brochure on the Port of Belfast in relation its acreage. He further highlighted inconsistencies between information on a photograph in the brochure showing land usage on the Harbour Estate and an accompanying plan of the Estate.

Mr Cushnahan indicated that he would respond formally in writing to Mr McGimpsey's concerns.

Assembly Member Mr McGimpsey agreed to provide the Committee members with a copy of the said letter that he received from Mr Irwin on land availability on the Harbour Estate.

6.Independent Experts on Proposals/Options

Dr Felix Schmidt of the University of Ulster briefly outlined his proposals and that of his colleagues, Mr Mike Smyth and Mr Terry Bunce (who were unable to attend the meeting), for Phase one of a two-stage review of the options available for Belfast Port.

Agreed:

The Committee approved Dr Schmidt's proposal for Phase one, and the Clerk will write to the University of Ulster to formalise the acceptance.

7.AOB

i.The Joint Chairperson drew the members' attention to a letter from the Presiding Officer regarding the Committee's title and remit.

Agreed:

The Clerk will write to the Presiding Officer to advise that the Committee is content with its title and that it understands its remit.

ii.Agreed:

Since both sets of witnesses due to give evidence at next week's meeting are unable to attend, their attendance has been postponed to a later date. In light of that information the Committee agreed to defer its next meeting until Thursday 25 March.

Mr A MAGINNESS