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COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Room 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson).
Cathal Boylan, MLA.
Allan Bresland, MLA.
John Dallat, MLA.
Raymond McCartney, MLA.
George Robinson, MLA.

In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk).
Conor Coughlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk).
Pauline Devlin (Clerical Supervisor).
Annette Page (Clerical Officer).

Apologies:
Willie Clarke, MLA.
John McCallister, MLA.
Alastair Ross, MLA.
Jim Wells, MLA.
Brian Wilson, MLA.

Members decided to commence the meeting at 10.43 a.m. in open session with Fred Cobain, Allan Bresland, John Dallat and Raymond McCartney present.

George Robinson joined the meeting at 10.44 a.m.

1. Apologies.

Apologies were received from:

Willie Clarke, MLA, John McCallister, MLA, Alastair Ross, MLA, Jim Wells, MLA and Brian Wilson, MLA.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted that on Monday 1 December 2008 the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson will receive pre-briefing from the Minister for Regional Development on the findings of Roads Service’s independent review of flooding at Broadway underpass. Members also noted that Roads Service and independent consultants will brief the Committee on the findings of this review at the meeting of 3 December 2008.

Members noted that at the Committee meeting of 10 December 2008 the Committee will receive briefing from the Permanent Secretary and the Comptroller and Auditor General on the emerging findings of the three strand investigations into the Rathlin Island Ferry contract. Members also noted that the Public Accounts Committee was content with this arrangement.

Members noted that a Committee dinner has been organised for 3 December 2008 with Charles Landry and Professor Greg Lloyd to discuss issues around the development of the Review of the Regional Development Strategy. Members agreed to confirm their availability to attend with the Committee office.

3. The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2008.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2008 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

Members noted receipt of correspondence and briefing information dated 13 November 2008 from the Department concerning the Water Directive Framework – publication of the Draft River Basin Management plans. Members agreed to write to the Department requesting briefing on the emerging findings from the public consultation before summer recess 2009.

Members noted receipt of an e-mail dated 17 November 2008 from the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee concerning a checklist designed for anyone developing information about transport services.

Members noted receipt of correspondence dated 13 November 2008 from Northern Ireland Water concerning the timeframe for the implementation and completion of the review of asset performance. Members decided to return to this item in more detail during the next Committee session on flooding.

Members noted receipt of correspondence dated 19 November 2008 from Northern Ireland Water concerning depot rationalisation.

Members noted receipt of a letter dated 30 October 2008 and memo dated 13 November 2008 from the Clerk to the Committee for Finance and Personnel concerning an analysis of sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Departments for the year 2007/08. Members decided to return to this issue at a later date to be confirmed in the work programme.

Members noted receipt of correspondence dated 21 November 2008 concerning the changed timetable for December monitoring, the Committee’s letter to the Department on the changed timetable, and that the Department’s December monitoring return would be considered by the Committee at the meeting of 3 December 2008.

5. Translink: current performance and future plans briefing.

Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) executives Aodhan O’Donnell, Ryan Simpson and Eleanor Gill joined the meeting at 10.51 a.m.

Cathal Boylan joined the meeting at 10.55 a.m.

The Committee received briefing from CCNI executives, who agreed to provide additional information to the Committee, including recent research reports into customer attitudes to public transport.

Raymond McCartney declared an interest during the question and answer session with CCNI executives, stating that his brother owns a taxi company in Derry / Londonderry.

Following a question and answer session, Members thanked the CCNI executives for their briefing.

Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) executives Aodhan O’Donnell, Ryan Simpson and Eleanor Gill left the meeting at 11.26 a.m .

Departmental officials Doreen Brown and Ciaran Doran joined the meeting at 11.27 a.m.

The Committee received briefing from the Departmental officials, during which officials agreed to provide additional information and briefing to the Committee on a number of areas, including the background to recent Translink fare increases. Following a question and answer session, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing.

Departmental officials Doreen Brown and Ciaran Doran left the meeting at 11.46 a.m.

Translink executives Ciaran Rogan, Catherine Mason and Philip O’Neill joined the meeting at 11.47 a.m.

The Committee received briefing from Translink executives. During this briefing officials agreed to provide additional information to the Committee on a range of topics, including, research on the impact of city centre car parking policy on public transport use, integrated ticketing, and Translink’s fuel purchasing policy. Following a question and answer session, Members thanked the Translink executives for their briefing.

John Dallat left the meeting at 12.20 p.m.

Translink executives Ciaran Rogan, Catherine Mason and Philip O’Neill left the meeting at 12.20 p.m.

6. Committee Inquiry: Managing data risks in Northern Ireland Water

Members noted the briefing note provided by the Clerk, and decided that they were content with the approach for the Committee inquiry, and the proposals in relation to managing the timing of the Committee’s inquiry in the context of the Regulator’s proposed enforcement order.

Members decided to place a notice on the Committee web pages publicising the Committee’s inquiry, and that they were content with the proposed approach to seeking specialist advice.

7. Subordinate Legislation.

Members decided they were content with the policy merits of the SL1 listed below which was noted at the meeting of 19 November 2008:

Members noted receipt of the following statutory rules which are not subject to any Assembly procedure:

8. Correspondence.

Members noted receipt of a project update dated Autumn 2008 from Carson McDowell solicitors.

Members noted receipt of a memo dated 24 November 2008 from the Clerk to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, attaching a letter to be forwarded to the Minister for Regional Development regarding the current economic downturn in the construction sector. Members agreed to forward this letter to the Minister.

Members noted receipt of the following invitations:

Members agreed to return to consider these invitations at the meeting of 3 December 2008.

9. Any other business.

No other business was presented.

10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.

The next meeting of the Regional Development Committee will take place on Wednesday 3 December 2008, in Room 21, Parliament Buildings at 10.30 a.m.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.50 p.m.

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

19 November 08 / Menu