Committee for Regional Development

Transport Bill

During the 2010-11 session the Committee scrutinised and reported on the Committee Stage of the Transport Bill. The main purpose of the Transport Bill is to create an effective, efficient and sustainable public transport system for Northern Ireland that contributes to the Executive’s transportation, environmental, social inclusion and equality objectives. The Bill was introduced in the Assembly on 21 June 2010 and passed Second Stage on 29 June 2010. The Committee published its public call for evidence on 5 July 2010 and concluded its Committee Stage in December 2010. Copies of the written submissions received are available here. The Bill passed Consideration Stage on 24 January 2011, Further Consideration Stage on 1 February 2011 and Final Stage on 14 February 2011.

The Committee made a number of recommendations, and the Committee and the Minister co-signed 12 amendments to the Bill, all of which were accepted by the Assembly during Consideration Stage. The Committee also succeeded in having a clause removed from the Bill, a so called Henry VIII clause, as it was of the view that its powers were too wide ranging and not subject to a sufficient level of scrutiny or change by the Assembly.

The Committee’s report, outlining its scrutiny of the clauses in the Bill, the evidence it received and its recommendations and suggested amendments can be found here. The Bill received royal assent on 16 March 2011, and is known as the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.