RD 15/02 (2)

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee

Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday 1 May 2002 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Railway Safety Bill - Draft Report
3. Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association
4. Visit to Wales on 8 & 9 May 2002
5. All Day Meeting
6. Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan
7. Programme for Government - End of Year Monitoring Report
8. Letter from Portstewart Resident
9. Any Other Business
10. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness(Chairman)
Mr A McFarland(Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage

Apologies:
Mr J Byrne

Absent:
Mr R Hutchinson

In Attendance:
Mr L Barr(Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie(Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss C Lagan(Executive Support)
Mrs S Young(Administrative Support)

The meeting was called to order at 10.37am.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2002 were agreed.

2. Railway Safety Bill - Draft Report

The Committee deliberated on the draft report on the Committee Stage of the Railway Safety Bill.

Agreed:The Committee agreed the report and ordered it to be printed.

3. Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association

The Committee discussed a letter from Mr Bryan Gray, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) plus a letter that Mr Gray had sent to the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Finance and Personnel. Mr Gray was highlighting the problems faced by traders in Garvagh and elsewhere, as a result of major public works being undertaken by the Department and other utilities.

Agreed:To discuss the issue at a future meeting once the Committee received a copy of the Minister's response to Mr Grey.

Members were informed that a briefing pack for the visit to Wales would be sent to them on Friday 3 May 2002.

Agreed:That a press release be issued detailing the Committee's visit.

The Committee was asked for its views on having an all day meeting on Wednesday 22 May 2002 in the Ballymena area.

Agreed:The Committee agreed to proceed with making arrangements for a meeting on 22 May 2002.

The Committee should consider holding some future meetings in other areas of the Province.

Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Mr Bernie Frayne, Mr John Kee and Mr Stephen Wood from the Department joined the meeting at 11.04am. They gave a presentation and answered members' questions on the development of the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan.

The Committee noted the content of a report summarising progress toward the achievement of actions set out in the Programme for Government for 2001 / 02 and the targets contained in the Public Service Agreement.

The Committee considered a letter from a resident of Portstewart who is concerned about the detrimental impact that the high number of student and summer houses are having on the town.

Agreed:To write to the Department asking for comments on the letter.

To reply to the letter outlining the action that the Committee is taking on the matter.

Mr Hussey updated the Committee following the Newtownstewart By-Pass Committee's meeting with the Minister on 30 April 2002. He handed over a paper that had been presented to the Minister at the meeting.

Agreed:Clerk should now respond to the Chairman of the Newtownstewart By-Pass Committee.

Mr Hay referred to the DRD Position Report and the bid for funding for the Antrim - Knockmore Railway Line.

Agreed:The Committee noted that this bid and others reflected the Department's full need rather than what it expected to get.

Mr Savage brought to the Committee's attention the frequent disruption to the railway service particularly along the Moria - Lurgan line. The Committee acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and the detrimental effect on service.

Agreed:To closely monitor the level of disruption.

Mr Hussey raised the issue of water leaks and the apparent inability of Water Service to repair these quickly.

Agreed:The Clerk should seek an update from the Department on this issue.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 8 May 2002 at 10.30am in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm.

24 April 2002 / Menu / 8 May 2002