PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

THURSDAY 27 MAY 1999 AT 10.15 AM

IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Mr S Wilson (Joint Chaiperson)

Mr R Beggs

Mr P Bradley

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr D McClarty

Mr A Maginness(Joint Chairperson)

Ms J Morrice

Mr M Morrow

Mr M Murphy

Mr M McGimpsey

Mr G McHugh (representing Mr A Maskey)

Mr P Roche

Mr J Tierney

In attendance:Mr G MartinMrs D Williams

Mr D HarkinMs V Surplus Apologies:Mr D Watson

Assembly Member Wilson took the Chair

1.Minutes of the Previous Two Meetings

The minutes of the previous two meetings were agreed.

2.Matters Arising

Assembly Member Maginness provided the Clerk with written confirmation of the changes to the SDLP membership on the Committee, which took effect from 19 May 1999.

3.Committee Report

i. Timetable for Completion of Report

Agreed:

The Committee will work towards the completion of a report by mid-June, in readiness for immediate printing.

ii. Number and dates of future meetings

Agreed:

The Committee discussed the frequency of future meetings and decided to meet on both 2 and 3 June but not on 10 June (due to the European Elections). It will continue to meet on Thursdays and additional days, where necessary.

iii. Report Structure

Agreed:

The Committee agreed with the Clerk's proposed structure for the report, including annexes for minutes of meetings, transcripts of oral evidence and lists of witnesses who gave oral and written evidence. It was also agreed that the report should include separate sections on:

a. EU funding;

b. the potential effects on the other Northern Ireland ports of each of the options for the Port of Belfast;

c. the various interpretations of the legal status of the golden share in relation to the Port of Belfast.

It was further agreed that reference should be made to the fact that, although Lord Dubs had declined to give the Committee sight of the DoE's review on Northern Ireland's Trust Ports due to commercial sensitivities, it was the Committee's understanding that that document had recommended trust status with extended powers for the Ports, together with increased public representation.

iv. Report Contents

The Committee began its deliberations on the Clerk's initial paper on the draft options, a summation of which is set out in a separate annexe.

4.AOB

i. The Clerk will request from the Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHCs) a copy of the Ernst and Young report that they had commissioned, which formed the basis for their argument that the land and port could not be separated in any sale of Belfast Harbour.

ii. The Committee considered a request from the BHCs for a copy of the UUJ Special Advisers' report, but, as members had already decided that the findings should remain confidential, it was regretfully declined.

iii. The Clerk will clarify the content of paragraph 12.2.2 of the paper on draft options, and he will check the Treasury guidelines on borrowing restrictions. He will also re-word paragraphs 12.3.7 and 12.3.11 of the paper.

iv. The next meeting will be held at 10.15am on Wednesday 2 June in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

MR S WILSON