COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MONDAY 26 APRIL 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Michelle McIlveen MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Allan Bresland MLA
Willie Clarke MLA
Billy Leonard MLA
Trevor Lunn MLA
George Robinson MLA
In Attendance:
Stephen Graham (Assembly Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Alison Ferguson (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Tommy Gallagher MLA
Danny Kinahan MLA
Ian McCrea MLA
The meeting commenced at 11.02am in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting held on 21 April 2010
Agreed : The minutes were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.
3. Matters Arising
- Members noted correspondence from Northern Ireland Water, dated 16 April 2010, in response to issues raised during its briefing to the Committee on 24 February 2010 in respect of its performance during this year’s severe winter weather.
4. Consideration of the Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services
Agreed: The Committee noted the public consultation report on the Minister’s draft Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services (2010-2013). Members agreed to consider the issue in greater detail at a future meeting of the Committee with a view to developing a Committee response to the Department.
5. Public petition regarding traffic matters at Camlough Road and Millvale Road Junction, Newry
Mr Boylan declared as interest in this issue as an MLA for the area.
Agreed: The Committee noted the above petition and agreed to write to the Department indicating that the Committee would wish to be kept informed of any progress in relation to this matter and also requesting a copy of any response that might be issued by the Department.
6. Subordinate Legislation
Members noted the following Departmental proposal to make subordinate legislation:
- The Old Portadown Road and Gilpinstown Road, Lurgan (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Members noted that the SL1 memo from the Department on the above proposal made no reference to its having been the subject of a public inquiry. The Committee noted that the Department has received an objection from Northern Ireland Electricity as it has plant in the vicinity. Members also noted that the Department has confirmed that the police service and relevant local council affected by the above proposal have been informed, and the Committee office has not received any comments from the relevant council regarding this policy proposal.
Members considered the following Departmental proposals to make subordinate legislation, which were noted at the Committee meeting on 21 April 2010:
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.5 Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Road Races ( Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Race) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010;
- The Loading Bays and Parking Places on Roads (Amendment No. 3) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- The Parking Places on Roads (Strabane) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee would write to the Department, indicating that it was content with the policy merits of these SL1s.
Members noted and considered the following statutory rule which was laid in the Assembly’s Business Office by the Department for Regional Development and is subject to the negative resolution procedure. Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules will report on this rule in his Fifteenth Report to the Assembly, to be published on 7 May 2010.
- 2010/157 The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
In the absence of any objection, the following question was put and agreed:
“The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory 2010/157 The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule?”
All those in favour: Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, Willie Clarke, Billy Leonard, Trevor Lunn , Michelle McIlveen and George Robinson.
Those against: None.
All Members present voted. No Members present abstained.
Members considered the following statutory rules which were laid in the Assembly’s Business Office by the Department for Regional Development and are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules will report on these rules in his Fourteenth Report to the Assembly, to be published on 26 or 27 April 2010.
- 2010/126 The River Bann Navigation Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010; and
- 2010/141 Donaghadee Harbour Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
In the absence of any objection, the following question was put and agreed:
“The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory 2010/126 The River Bann Navigation Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly”
All those in favour: Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, Willie Clarke, Billy Leonard, Trevor Lunn , Michelle McIlveen and George Robinson.
Those against: None.
All Members present voted. No Members present abstained.
In the absence of any objection, the following question was put and agreed:
“The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory 2010/141 Donaghadee Harbour Order (Northern Ireland) 2010, and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly”
All those in favour: Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, Willie Clarke, Billy Leonard, Trevor Lunn , Michelle McIlveen and George Robinson.
Those against: None.
All Members present voted. No Members present abstained.
Members noted and considered the following statutory rule which was laid in the Assembly’s Business Office by the Department for Regional Development and is subject to the negative resolution procedure. Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules will report on this rule in his Fourteenth Report to the Assembly, to be published on 26 or 27 April 2010.
- 2010/132 The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
In the absence of any objection, the following question was put and agreed:
“The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory 2010/132 The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule?”
All those in favour: Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, Willie Clarke, Billy Leonard, Trevor Lunn , Michelle McIlveen and George Robinson.
Those against: None.
All Members present voted. No Members present abstained.
Members decided that the Committee Clerk would inform the Business Office of the decisions made today.
7. Correspondence
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Declan Gormley in relation to his dismissal from the Board of Northern Ireland Water Limited and agreed to write to Mr Gormley indicating that the Committee would not be in a position to decide to meet to discuss the issue until the ongoing investigations into this matter have concluded.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation in relation to the Price Control 2010-13 Final Determination.
8. Any Other Business
No other items of business were raised.
9. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday, 10 May 2010 at 12.00 pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.15am.
Michelle McIlveen, MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
10 May 2010