Minutes of Proceedings

Present:

Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr Ross Hussey MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín MLA

Apologies:

Mr Séan Lynch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA

10.40am The meeting commenced in public session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

NONE

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 4^th July 2012.                

4. Correspondence

Members noted the correspondence received.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Committee Prayer of Annulment.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from OFMdFM Committee in relation to European issues considered by Committees and agreed to respond to the Committee with a report of Committee activity on European issues.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the OFMdFM Committee in relation to legislative proposals for the Office of the Ombudsman and agreed to respond to OFMdFM Committee with Committee views on the policy decisions and on any other policy areas.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the NI Civil Service equal pay settlement.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Employment and Learning regarding Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance and agreed to respond to the Committee with any comments by 5 October 2012.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to pollution of the Ballinderry River by NIW.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding a Departmental briefing on the recent flooding.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding airport car parking charges.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to Translink salary negotiations.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the emergency Committee meeting.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Banbridge District Council in relation to a bus station for Banbridge and agreed to meet with a delegation from the council.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the NI Affairs Committee in relation to an Air Transport Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Alex Hill, Chief Advisor, Scotland and Northern Ireland Met Office regarding extreme events of 2011 from a climate perspective.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Guide Dogs NI regarding an invitation to “Walk a Mile in My Shoes”.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Margy Washbrook in relation to Engage with Age.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Maurice Parkinson regarding brown tourism signs.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Harvey Hamilton regarding brown tourism signs.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Unite regarding Translink.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Wilma Killen regarding Roads Service.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence and a press statement from the Minister regarding the tribunal decision on the appointment of the Chair to Northern Ireland Water.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Belfast City Council in relation to an update on Belfast flooding emergency.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the maintenance programmes cleaning of gullies.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to flooding in Dungiven.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Unadopted Sewerage Infrastructure.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the works to be carried out at William Street Junction, Lurgan.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Bike It Post Project Evaluation.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Roads Service works on unadopted roads.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from QPANI in relation to the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

5. Translink and Departmental briefing: The affordability of the Translink Proposed Pay Award

10.44am The following Officials joined the meeting:

Ciaran Doran – Director of Transport Finance and Governance, DRD

Phillip O’Neill – Chief Operating Officer, Translink

The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

11.40am Mr McNarry left the meeting

11.42am Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting

12.05pm Mrs Kelly left the meeting

12.11pm Mrs Kelly rejoined the meeting

12.12pm The Officials left the meeting

12.12pm The Chairperson suspended the meeting for a short break

12.22pm The meeting restarted with the following members present:

Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Dallat MLA

Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA

Mr David McNarry MLA

Mr Stephen Moutray MLA

Mr Cathal Ó hOisín MLA

6. Departmental and Northern Ireland Water Briefing:  Recent Flooding Incidences

12.22pm The following Representatives joined the meeting:

Colin Sykes – Network Maintenance manager, Roads Service Easter Division

Sara Venning – Customer Service Delivery Director, Northern Ireland Water

Bill Gowdy – Director of Engineering Procurement

The Representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

12.25pm Mr McNarry left the meeting

12.34pm Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting

12.50pm Mr Moutray left the meeting

12.47pm Mr Spratt left the meeting

12.47pm Mr Cathal Ó hOisín was appointed chairperson

1.07pm The Officials left the meeting

7. Departmental Briefing:  A5 Western Transport Corridor

1.07pm The following Representatives joined the meeting:

Conor Loughrey – A5 Strategic Roads Manager, Roads Service

The Representative presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

1.12pm The Official left the meeting

8. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 12^th September 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21.

1.12pm The meeting was adjourned

Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
12/09/12