PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE 1999 AT 10.15 AM

IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Mr A Maginness(Joint Chairperson)

Mr R Beggs

Mr P Bradley

Mr G Campbell

Ms J Morrice

Mr M Morrow

Mr M Murphy

Mr P Roche

Mr J Tierney

Mr S Wilson (Joint Chaiperson)

In attendance:Mr G MartinMrs D Williams

Mr D HarkinMs V SurplusMrs K Ferran Apologies:Mr S Neeson

Assembly Member Maginness took the Chair

1.Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meetings were agreed.

2.Matters Arising

i. The Clerk has included in draft two of the report separate sections on EU funding, the golden share and the potential effects on the other Northern Ireland Ports of each of the options for the Port of Belfast.

ii. The Clerk has drafted an additional section on the Review of Trust Ports in Northern Ireland.

iii. The Belfast Harbour Commissioners have agreed to the Clerk's request for a copy of the Arthur Anderson report that they had commissioned.

iv. The Clerk relayed to the Committee verbal comments that he had received from Department of Finance and Personnel officials in relation to Treasury guidelines on borrowing restrictions. It was agreed that the Clerk should seek confirmation in writing.

v. The Clerk further advised that he had spoken to the managing director of Dover Port, who confirmed that the Port's borrowing ability was based purely on its turnover.

3.Committee Report

The Committee continued its deliberations on the initial paper on the draft options [paras. 12.4 to12.6.15 inclusive], a summation of which is set out in a separate annexe

4.AOB

Assembly Member Morrice made a declaration of interest on the basis that she is a member of the Laganside Corporation. The Joint Chairperson thanked her for the disclosure, which the Committee noted.

MR A MAGINNESS