PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

THURSDAY 20 MAY 1999 AT 10.15 AM

IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Mr S Wilson (Joint Chaiperson)

Mr R Beggs

Mr P Bradley (representing Mr E McGrady)

Mr J Byrne (representing Mr D O'Connor)

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr D McClarty

Mr A Maginness(Joint Chairperson)

Mr M Murphy

Mr P Roche

Mr J Tierney

Mr D Watson

In attendance:Mr G MartinMrs K McFerran

Mr D HarkinMs V Surplus Apologies:Mr S Neeson

Assembly Member Wilson took the Chair

1.Change to Make-up of Belfast City Council's Oral Evidence Panel

The Joint Chairperson informed the Committee that Assembly Member McGimpsey, who is Deputy Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, would be substituting for Mr Nigel Dodds on the panel.

2.Oral Evidence: Representatives from Belfast City Council

Witnesses:
Mr B Hanna (Chief Executive)
Ms M T McGivern (Director of Development)
Mr M McGimpsey (Councillor)
Ms C McAuley (Councillor)
Mr B Stoker (Councillor)
Ms N Skelly

The Joint Chairperson thanked the panel for their very helpful written submission and oral evidence, and they left the meeting.

3.Draft List of Essential Criteria for Preferred Option for Port of Belfast

The draft list of essential criteria was accepted, with the following amendments:

i. In the second criterion, substitute "profiteering" for "profiting".

ii. In the third criterion, replace the wording after "Port" with "must be for the good of all of Northern Ireland's citizens".

iii. The fifth criterion should be excluded, with the understanding that the release of funding to assist with the roads programme should be a consideration under any preferred option.

iv. In the sixth criterion, replace the wording after "provide" with "public accountability".

4.Future Work Programme

i. The Committee agreed to Assembly Member Byrne's suggestion that any questions in relation to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' (BHCs) proposals arising from the oral evidence hearings should be addressed to the BHCs in writing.

ii. The Clerk will provide an outline sketch of the draft options for the Port for the Committee to consider at its meeting on Thursday 27 May.

MR S WILSON