PROCEEDINGS OF THE
AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY 1999
AT 10.15 AM
IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT
BUILDINGS
Present: Mr
A Maginness (Joint Chairperson)
Mr R Beggs
Mr P Bradley
(representing Mr E McGrady)
Mr B Hutchinson
Mr M McGimpsey
Mr M Morrow
Mr S Neeson
Mr D O'Connor
Mr J Tierney
Mr D Watson
Mr S Wilson
(Joint Chairperson)
In attendance: Mr
G Martin Mrs K McFerran
Mr D Harkin Ms
V Surplus Dr S Donnelly Apologies: Ms
J Morrice Mr P Roche
Mr A Maginness
took the Chair
1. Minutes
of the previous meeting
The minutes
of the previous meeting were agreed.
2. Matters
arising
i. The UUJ Special Advisers have
confirmed that they will assess the potential capital that could be raised under
the PPC scheme and will also clarify the role of the golden share under that option.
Agreed:
The Committee agreed to meet the
cost of this additional work, which will be completed by 17 May.
ii. The Joint Chairperson advised
the Committee of a notification from Sinn Fein confirming Assembly Member Murphy
as Assembly Member Doherty's replacement on the Committee, with effect from 26
April 1999.
3. Oral Evidence:
Lord Dubs, Minister for the Environment
Additional witnesses:
Mr R McMinnis (Air and Sea Ports Division DOE)
Mrs B Faloona (Air and Sea Ports Division DOE)
Lord Dubs gave extensive oral evidence
to the Committee, and accompanying his submission was a written Memorandum from
the DOE, which had already been furnished to the Committee. He apologised that
due to an unforeseen late change to his business diary his evidence session would
have to be abbreviated, but he expressed a willingness to re-attend at a mutually
convenient date.
The Joint Chairperson thanked
Lord Dubs and his advisers for their presentation, and they left the meeting.
4. AOB:
i. Agreed:
The Committee agreed that the Minister
should be invited back to answer questions on a number of outstanding issues and
other matters needing clarification. The Clerk will contact Lord Dubs's office
today to arrange a suitable date.
ii.
Assembly Member Neeson expressed
concern as to how the public interest could be safeguarded under the Belfast Harbour
Commissioners' (BHCs) preferred PPP option, especially in relation to the future
of the leased land.
Assembly Member Wilson recommended
asking the BHCs for a copy of the detailed proposals that they were to prepare
following the Government's agreement last year, in principle, to the transfer
of the Port to the private sector.
Assembly Member McGimpsey reminded
the Committee that the BHCs had not yet responded in writing, as agreed, to his
concerns about inconsistencies in relation to land acreage and its usage that
he had identified in some of their documentation on the Harbour Estate.
The Clerk undertook to write to
the BHCs today in relation to the three matters.
MR A MAGINNESS
(Joint Chairperson)