Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday, 13 September 2000
in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Railway Task Force
4. Statutory Rules
5. Any Other Business
6. Date of Next Meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A Mc Farland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
In Attendance:
Mrs D Pritchard ( Committee Clerk)
Mr S Fay ( Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie ( Executive Support)
Mrs S Young ( Administrative Support)
Apologies:
Mr D Ervine
Rt Hon JD Taylor MP
Mr J Wells
Absent:
Mr C Murphy.
Meeting commenced at 10.15am.
1. Minutes of last meeting
With the inclusion of Mr Hussey's apology the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2000 were agreed.
Agreed: That a record of those absent from meetings would be included in the minutes.
2. Matters arising
- Safety at Road Races.
- Farm Land Planning Easement Scheme.
- Visit to Water Installation.
- Multinational Retailers.
- Initiation of Legislation by the Committee.
Agreed: That Members will consider the views of the Assembly's legal adviser and return to the matter at next week's meeting
The reply from the Department is awaited.
Agreed: That further information will be sought from the Department with regards to planning applications for Farm Diversification.
Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 10.37am.
Agreed: That the Committee will visit Lagmore Conduit near Lisburn at 10.00am on 20 September 2000. The Minister will be present to make a speech on the Water Service.
The response from the Department is awaited.
Agreed: That Members would study the paper from the Clerk of Bills and return to the matter at a future meeting.
3. Railways Task Force
The Minister joined the meeting at 10.53am and was accompanied by:
Mr P Sweeney Deputy Secretary
Dr M McKibbon Director of Regional Transportation Strategy Division
Mr R Aiken Director of Transport Policy and Support Division
Mrs A Gault Principal Officer
all of whom have been involved in the Task Force.
The officials gave a presentation on the work of the Task Force and an overview of its interim report. They answered Members questions on the overview. The full interim report will be published at the end of the month.
Mr Byrne left the meeting at 11.55am
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 12.00.
The Minister and officials left the meeting at 12.04pm.
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 12.05pm
Mr Byrne returned at 12.05pm
Mr McFarland returned at 12.07pm.
Agreed: That the Committee will consider the Interim Report from the Railways Task Force and discuss its response to the Department, within the next few weeks.
4. Statutory Rules
The Committee noted the Statutory Rules which the Department intends to make.
5. AOB
- Letter from the Friends of the Earth
- Public Transport.
- Fort George Base, Londonderry.
The Committee noted the copy of the letter to the Minister from Friends of the Earth on the M1/Westlink Public Inquiry.
Members noted the papers on Transport 2010 and a draft EU regulation on public transport.
Mr Hay declared an interest.
The Chairman reported that he had discussed the issue with the Chief Executive of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners on 12 September 2000.
Mr Hutchinson returned at 12.20pm.
Agreed: That the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners will be asked to brief the Committee at next week's meeting.
That the Clerk will request a written submission from the Defence Estates Agency on the matter.
6. Date of next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 20 September 2000 at 12.00pm. in room 135 Parliament Buildings after the visit to the Lagmore Conduit.
The meeting closed at 12.28pm.