COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Minutes of Proceedings

Wednesday, 30 may 2007
Senate Chamber, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Jim Wells MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Willie Clarke MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister
Raymond McCartney MLA
Stephen Moutray 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)

The meeting opened at 10.05 am in public session.

1. Apologies.

There where no apologies.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted that:

The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson met Len O’Hagan and Roy Adair from Belfast Harbour Commissioners on Wednesday 23 May 2007.

Members agreed that copies of the written briefings provided to the Committee on water reform could be provided to those who ask.

Members noted that recordings of meeting are available from committee staff in Room 402 one working day following the meeting.

3. Draft Minutes.

Minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2007 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

Members noted the written submissions on water reform, as received from the following stakeholders:

• Confederation of British Industry Northern Ireland
• Federation of Small Businesses x 2
• NI Environment Link
• Disability Action
• Help the Aged / Age Concern (joint submission)
• NICVA
• Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland Anti- Poverty Network
• Professor Paddy Hillyard, Queen’s University Belfast
• Goretti Horgan of University of Ulster
• Trade Union common platform (including ICTU, NIPSA, AT&GWU, GMB and AMICUS)
• GMB Trade Union

Members decided to hold an all day briefing session on 20 June 2007, and to invite stakeholders to speak to their written submissions.

Members noted that Assembly officials are meeting with FMDFM officials this week to discuss access to papers. It was agreed that the Principal Clerk would report back to the meeting next week. Members decided to defer the submission of its freedom of information request and letters requesting access to papers, pending the outcome of these meetings.

Senior Officials joined the meeting at 10.16 am.

5. Departmental Brief – Doreen Brown, Deputy Secretary with responsibility for Regional Planning and Transportation.

Doreen Brown, Deputy Secretary, Mike Thompson, Director of Regional Planning & Transportation Division, Brian White, Director of Ports & Public Transport Division and David Carson, Director of Public Transport Performance Division, briefed the Committee on Regional Planning and Transportation. Following a question and answer session the Department agreed to provide additional information to the Committee.

Senior Officials left the meeting at 11.34 am

6. Stakeholders.

Eleanor Gill and Steve Costollo from the Consumer Council briefed the Committee on their concerns in relation to water reform issues.

Eamonn Coy, Peter Bunting, Steve Tweed and Paddy Mackel representing a trade union common platform, ICTU, AMICUS, GMB, AT, GWU and NIPSA, briefed the Committee on the labour force issues in water reform, and the trade unions’ views on the terms of reference for the proposed water review.

The stakeholders left the meeting at 12.39 pm

7. Subordinate Legislation.

Members noted the SL1s tabled and decided to consider all SL1s tabled to date at the meeting of 6 June 2007.

8. Committee’s draft input to Review of Water and Sewerage.

Members decided to write to the Minister with the Committee’s input to the Review of Water and Sewerage. It was agreed to discuss this in draft at the meeting of 6 June 2007.

Members decided to invite the Minister to the meeting of 27 June 2007 to discuss the terms of reference for the Review of Water and Sewerage. Members also agreed to meet with the Review Group for Water and Sewerage at the earliest opportunity. Members resolved to meet during summer, if this proved necessary.

9. Revised Work Programme

Members noted revisions to the work programme.

10. Correspondence.

Members noted correspondence from Nigel Smyth, Director of CBI Northern Ireland and from the Quarry Products Association. Members decided to invite both organisations to brief the Committee in the future.

11. Any Other Business.

It was agreed that the Chairperson would clear a press release on today’s business.

12. Date, venue and time next meeting.

The Committee agreed that the next meeting be held on Wednesday 6 June 2007 at 10.00am in the Senate Chamber.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.50 am.

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

 

Dated: ………………………………………….

 

23 May 2007 / MENU