Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday, 6 September 2000
in room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Other Matters Outstanding at Recess
4. New Matters
5. Statutory Rules
6. Provisional Programme of Work
7. Any Other Business 8. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A Mc Farland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr J Byrne
Mr W Hay
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr C Murphy
Mr J Wells

In Attendance:
Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie ( Executive Support)
Mrs S Young ( Administrative Support)

Apology:
Mr D Hussey

Meeting commenced at 10.34am.

1. Minutes of last meeting

Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 10.35am.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2000 were agreed.

2. Matters arising

  1. Port of Belfast.

    2. The Department hopes to present a detailed appraisal of the options on the future of the Port of Belfast by the end of September 2000.

  2. Regional Development Strategy (RDS)

    3. Agreed: That the replies from the Higher and Further Education, Training & Employment Committee

    and the Education Committee on the aspects of the Strategy relating to their Departments will be forwarded to the Department of Regional Development.

    That, following his letter, Mr Fraser, Director of Fraser Quality Homes, will be asked to submit his views on the RDS in writing to the Committee.

  3. Safety at Road Races.

    4. Agreed: That advice on the Department's responsibilities with regards to the closure of roads for road racing will be sought from the Assembly legal adviser.

  4. New TSN

    5. The Committee noted the Minister's response to the detailed points raised by Members.

  5. Programme for Government.

This matter will be referred to the Committee for further scrutiny in October 2000.

3. Other Matters Outstanding at Recess

(a) Transport.

The Minister will present an overview of the Railways Task Force's interim report to the Committee at the meeting on 13 September 2000.

A copy of the overview will be provided to the Committee at 10.00am on 13 September 2000.

The Committee agreed to visit the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company on 27 September 2000 and view work on the Antrim/Bleach Green viaduct and tour the York Road workshops.

Arrangements will be made for the GMB to make a presentation to the Committee as requested.

Cryptosporidium.

At 11.07am officials from the Water Service joined the meeting. They were:
Mr Robert Martin Chief Executive
Dr George Alexander Senior Principal Scientific Officer
Mr Harry Thompson Technical Director
Mr Charlie Grimes Corporate Services

They briefed the Committee on the background to cryptosporidium and on the cryptosporidious outbreak in the Lisburn area, and answered Members questions.

Mr Hay left the meeting at 11.34am.
He returned at 11.46am.
Mr Wells left the meeting at 11.54am

The Chairman thanked the officials for their presentation and they left the meeting at 11.59am.

Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 11.59am.

Agreed: That a Press release expressing the concerns of the Committee about the outbreak should issue.

That the Clerk will send the Minister's office a letter of appreciation of the work of Mr Martin and the staff of the Water Service since the outbreak was discovered.

3. Matters outstanding at recess (contd.)

(b) British/Irish Council - Transport Study.

The reply from the Department was noted.

(c) Free Travel for Older People.

The Committee noted the update from the Department.

4. New Matters

(a) Roads Service - Major Works Preparation Pool

The Committee welcomed the advanced planning proposed in the letter from the Minister.

(b)Farm Land Planning Easement Scheme.

A response from the Department is awaited on this matter.

(c) Planning permission for Multinational Retailers.

The Committee received a letter from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association requesting an immediate moratorium on the development of out-of-town superstores.

Agreed: To seek the views of the Department.

5. Statutory Rules

The Committee noted the latest list of Statutory Rules which the Department intends to make. Those requiring further scrutiny by the Committee will be referred to it once they have been laid in the Assembly.

6. (a) Provisional Programme of Work

The Committee agreed its provisional programme of work for the period September to December 2000.

(b) Committee visits.

Agreed: Committee staff will make arrangements for the visit to a water installation which has been offered by the Department.

Mr Byrne left the meeting at 12.26pm.

7. AOB

  1. The Chairman reported to the Committee on the discussions he had with the Minister on 5 September 2000.

  2. Mr McFarland reported that he had put down a motion for debate in the Assembly on rail transport.

  3. Mr McFarland reminded Members of the Green Travel Plan open day on 26 September 2000.

  4. The Clerk will seek guidance from the Clerk of Bills on the procedures for Committees initiating legislation.

8. Date of next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 13 September 2000 at 10.00am. in room 135 Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 12.32pm.

5 July 2000 / Menu / 13 September 2000