COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Minutes of Proceedings

Wednesday, 23 may 2007
Senate Chamber, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Jim Wells MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
John Dallat MLA
John McCallister
Raymond McCartney MLA
George Robinson MLA
Brian Wilson MLA

In Attendance:
Debbie Pritchard (Principal Assembly Clerk)
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Gillian Lyness (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Clerical Supervisor)
Tom Skelton (Clerical Officer)
Stephanie Galbraith (Researcher)

Apologies:
Willie Clarke MLA
William Irwin MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA

The meeting opened at 10.05 am in public session.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted that:

• The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson met with Eleanor Gill of the Consumer Council on Friday 18 May 2007;
• The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson meet with Belfast Harbour Commission today, 23 May 2007; and with the Management of Belfast International Airport on 14 June 2007, and report back to the Committee on the outcome of those meetings.

3. Draft Minutes.

Minutes of the meeting of 16 May 2007 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

Members agreed to note:

• The revised declaration of Members’ interests paper and further declaration of interest from the Chairperson and Mr George Robinson;
• Additional information received from the Department outlining job losses at Northern Ireland Water and further information on water reform arrangements;
• The letters issued to interested groups asking them to forward their submissions in respect of water reform;
• The letters issued inviting Trade Unions to brief the Committee at next week’s meeting;
• The revised Work Programme, and that the Consumer Council would be attending next week’s meeting.

Members noted the Department’s response in respect of access to papers on water reform from the previous administration. Members agreed to raise the issue of such access at the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group.

Senior Officials joined the meeting at 10.20 am.

5. Departmental Brief – Budget 2007.

David Sterling, Deputy Secretary and Donald Henry, Director of Finance briefed the Committee on budget pressures in 2007 / 08 and priorities for 2008 – 2011. Following a question and answer session the Department agreed to provide additional information to the Committee.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.

Senior Officials left the meeting at 10.50 am

6. Departmental Brief – Water and Sewerage Presentation.

David Sterling, Deputy Secretary, Nigel McCormick, Director of Shareholder Unit and John Mills, Acting Director of Water Policy Division briefed the Committee on water reform issues. Following a question and answer session on a wide range of water reform issues, the Committee agreed to ask for, and the Department agreed, to provide additional information to the Committee.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson thanked the officials for their attendance.

Senior Officials left the meeting at 11.48 am

7. Research Paper on Ports.

The Researcher briefed the Members on Ports. Members agreed to seek the timetable for the completion on the Review of Ports.

8. Subordinate Legislation.

Members noted the SL1s tabled. Members decided to receive information on SL1s and Statutory Rules in list form only. The Committee agreed that full copies of SL1s and Statutory Rules would be made available to Members in the Committee Office.

9. Correspondence.

Members noted the letter issued to Trade Unions inviting them to attend next week’s meeting.

Members agreed to note the memo from the Public Accounts Committee.

10. Any Other Business.

• It was agreed that the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson would revise and clear a press release on today’s business.
• Members agreed to receive the weekly news digest and press releases by email.

11. Date, venue and time next meeting.

The Committee agreed that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 30 May 2007 at 10.00am and in the Senate Chamber.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.12 am.

Signed:
Fred Cobain MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development.

Dated: ………………………………………….

16 May 2007 / MENU