PROCEEDINGS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE (PORT OF BELFAST)

WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE 1999 AT 10.15 AM

IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Mr S Wilson(Joint Chairperson)

Mr R Beggs

Mr P Bradley

Mr G Campbell

Mr B Hutchinson

Mr M McGimpsey

Mr A Maginness(Joint Chairperson)

Mr M Murphy

Mr P Roche

In attendance:Mr G MartinMrs D Williams

Mr D HarkinMs V SurplusMrs K Ferran Apologies:Mr S NeesonMs J MorriceMr J Tierney

Assembly Member Wilson took the Chair.

1.Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed

2.Matters Arising

i. The Clerk is still awaiting a copy of the Arthur Andersen report from the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, which the Committee can expect to receive shortly.

ii. The Clerk has written to the Initial Presiding Officer to seek his and CAPO's advice on how the Committee's report is to be presented.

3.Committee Report

The Committee agreed some amendments to draft two of the report and continued its deliberations on matching the four remaining options against the essential criteria, a summation of which is included in a separate annexe.

4.AOB

i. In light of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' supplementary PPP proposal and Lord Dubs's related request for a meeting with the Joint Chairpersons, it was agreed that the full Committee should meet Lord Dubs and the BHCs separately to discuss the proposals. The Clerk will contact both parties to check their availability to attend the Committee's meeting on Wednesday 16 June.

ii. The Clerk will write to the BHCs to request a breakdown of the current usage of the 855 acres of Port-related land that was referred to in their submission.

iii. The Clerk will write to the Department of Finance and Personnel for confirmation about whether PSBR borrowing restrictions apply equally to the Ports of Dover and Belfast; and if not, why not? The position of Dublin Port's borrowing powers in relation to the Irish Republic's PSBR will also be checked.

iv. The Committee condoled with its colleague Assembly Member Morrice on the recent death of her father. The Clerk will prepare a letter of sympathy from the Joint Chairpersons on behalf of the Committee.

v. It was suggested that the Speaker's Office should inform party whips immediately on notification of the death of a Member's close relative. The Clerk will take the matter forward.

vi. The Committee will meet next on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June and, provisionally, on Friday 18 June.

MR S WILSON