COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 4 June 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
John Dallat MLA
William Irwin MLA
John McCallister MLA
Raymond McCartney MLA
George Robinson MLA
Jim Wells MLA

In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Clairita Frazer (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor)
Annette Page (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Willie Clarke MLA
Stephen Moutray MLA
Brian Wilson MLA

The Committee decided to begin the meeting in open session.

The meeting opened at 10.38 a.m. in open session.

1. Apologies.

Apologies were received from Stephen Moutray, Brian Wilson and Willie Clarke.

2. Draft Minutes of the Meeting of 28 May 2008.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2008 were agreed.

3. Matters Arising.

Members noted a letter from the Department on the reasons for resurfacing of the A6 Toome bypass. Members agreed to write to the Department seeking further information on the content of this letter.

Members noted receipt of correspondence between IMTAC and the Department on IMTAC’s position paper on taxis. Members agreed to write to the Department to request that the Committee is kept informed of developments in this area.

Members considered a draft response on the consultation document from the Department on free travel for people aged 60 – 64, and agreed that the final response be issued to the Department and published on the Committee web pages.

John McCallister joined the meeting at 10.47 a.m.

William Irwin joined the meeting at 10.53 a.m.

The Committee considered a draft response to the speed management policy and agreed that the final response be issued to the Department.

The Committee noted receipt of papers provided by the Department on the June Monitoring return. Members considered a draft response, and agreed that the response be issued to the Department.

Members noted a copy of the statement to the Assembly by the Minister for Finance and Personnel on provisional outturn for 2007/08, and agreed to seek briefing from the Department on its performance on underspend for 2007/2008.

The Committee agreed to request that it be kept appraised of the issues discussed at the North South Ministerial Council Transport Sector meeting.

John Dallat left the meeting at 11.14 a.m.

4. Investment Delivery Plans: Ports/Airports Briefing.

Departmental officials John Angus and Keith Walsh joined the meeting at 11.23 a.m.

The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials on the Investment Delivery Plan for Ports and Airports, followed by a question and answer session on the issues discussed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 11.33 a.m.

5. Investment Delivery Plans: Public Transport Briefing.

Departmental officials Doreen Brown, Seamus Fay and Briege McAllister joined the meeting at 11.35 a.m.

The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials on the Investment Delivery Plan for public transport, followed by a question and answer session on the issues discussed.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 12.00 p.m.

6. Investment Delivery Plans: Roads Briefing.

Departmental officials Geoff Allister and John White joined the meeting at 12.00 p.m.

The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials on the Investment Delivery Plan for roads, followed by a question and answer session on the issues discussed.

John Dallat rejoined the meeting at 12.26 p.m.

Departmental officials left the meeting at 12.30 p.m.

7. Investment Delivery Plans: Water Briefing.

Departmental official Barbara Faloona, and Northern Ireland Water executive Tom Hagan joined the meeting at 12.30 p.m.

The Committee received briefing from Departmental officials on the Investment Delivery Plan for water and wastewater, followed by a question and answer session on the issues discussed.

The Committee requested further written briefing from officials on Northern Ireland Water’s commitment to double its green energy usage, and compliance figures for settlements of less than 250 people.

John McCallister left the meeting at 12.45 p.m.

Officials left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.

8. Subordinate Legislation.

Members noted the following new SL1s received:

• The Tullygrawley Road, Ballymena (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
• The One-Way Traffic ( Belfast) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
• The Parking And Waiting Restrictions (Ballymena) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
• The Prohibition of Traffic (Lower Ormeau, Belfast) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Members sought further information from the Department on the following new SL1’s:

• The Drumcroon Road And Crevolea Road, Aghadowey (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and
• The Dromore Road And Highlands Road (Footway) (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Members indicated that they were content with the following SL1s noted at the meeting of 28 May 2008:

• The Dunhugh Road, Londonderry (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008; and

• The Road Races ( Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Members noted receipt of the following Statutory Rules which are not subject to any Assembly procedure:

• 2008/227 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
• 2008/228 Parking and Waiting Restrictions ( Belfast) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;
• 2008/229 The Loading Bays (Amendment No.5) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008;

9. Correspondence.

Members noted receipt of an undated, unsigned letter on water reform issues.

Members noted receipt of emails received from a Mr Ciaran Murphy regarding concerns over the A6 Derry to Dungiven Dualling Scheme at the Foreglen Road, and information on meetings being held by the Department with the public on the A6 Derry to Dungiven Dualling Scheme. Members agreed to write to the Department requesting written briefing on the issue highlighted at the Foreglen Road, and agreed to respond to Mr. Murphy noting receipt of his letter.

Members noted receipt of a letter dated 23 May 2008, from James and Christine Cosgrove, regarding water charging. Members agreed to reply to Mr and Mrs Cosgrove noting receipt of their letter, and to forward their letter to the Department for comment.

Members noted receipt of a letter dated 27 May 2008, from the Committee for the Environment, requesting an update on the progress of any funding applications made by Sustrans to the Department for Regional Development. Members agreed to respond to the Environment Committee noting receipt of its letter, and to request details on any funding application made by Sustrans to the Department.

Members noted receipt of a letter dated 29 May 2008, from Caroline McDowell, Acting Chair of the Save the Greenway Campaign, requesting a meeting with the Regional Development Committee. Members agreed to invite the group to brief the Committee.

Members noted receipt of a letter dated 30 May 2008, from Laverne Bell, Biodiversity Officer, QPANI, enclosing a copy of their strategy document, Our Nature with Aggregates: A Strategy to Conserve and Enhance Biodiversity and Geodiversity for the Aggregates and Quarry Products Industry in Northern Ireland.

Members noted receipt of a newsletter dated Spring ’08 from Advice NI.

Members noted receipt of a sample letter received regarding support for the Rose Energy biomass power plant, and attached spreadsheet showing the names of those who have written in support of the project. In excess of 170 such letters have been received to date. Members agreed that the correspondence be forwarded to the Agriculture Committee for its consideration. Members agreed to respond to those who have written to the Regional Development Committee, noting receipt of their correspondence, and advising that their letter has been forwarded to the Agriculture Committee.

Members noted receipt of an invitation to the Third Global Congress for Women in Politics and Governance in the Phillipines.

10. Any Other Business.

There was no other business.

11. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting.

The next meeting will be at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 11 June 2008 in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05 p.m.

Signed:FRED COBAIN MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development .

Dated: ………………………………………….

28 May 08 / Menu