Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2011/2012

Date: 01 February 2012

Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings

10.32am The meeting commenced in closed session in order that the Committee take advice from Assembly Legal Services

10.49am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting

10.51am The meeting moved to public session

1. Apologies

Mr Seán Lynch MLA

2. Chairperson’s Business

None

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 25^th January 2012.

4. Correspondence

Members noted correspondence received.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development in relation to a proposed statutory rule entitled the Belfast International Airport (Control Over Land) Order (Northern Ireland), and agreed to invite departmental officials to brief the Committee.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister containing the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Investing Activity Report.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Regional Development in relation to the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2012.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Regional Development in relation to the cost per kilometre of every grade of carriageway.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Transport in relation to the Airports Amendment Bill 2011.

The Committee noted correspondence from IMTAC containing papers on improving access to Belfast City Centre for older and disabled people, and on Blue Badge usage in Belfast City Centre.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk of the Committee for the Environment in relation to the Sustainable Framework for UK Aviation and agreed to forward a copy of the correspondence to the Department for Regional Development.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to representation on the Ministerial Group on Public Health.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to its Legislative Programme for 2011-2015.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Conall McDevitt MLA in relation to a proposed private members bill and agreed to invite the member to brief the Committee.

5. Departmental Briefing: Winter Readiness

10.55am The following Departmental Officials joined the meeting:

Dr Andrew Murray – Director of Network Services

Roddy Crilly – Civil Engineer, Roads Network Services

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

11.21am Mr Copeland left the meeting

11.23am The Chairperson left the meeting and the deputy Chairperson assumed the Chair

11.27am The Officials left the meeting

11.28am The Chairperson rejoined the meeting and assumed the Chair

6. SL1: The Old Church Road (Newtownabbey) (Abandonment) Order (NI) 2012 – outcome of consultation

11.28am The following Officials joined the meeting:

David Millar – Head of Roads Service’s Lands & Legislation Unit

Philip Robinson – Principal Engineer, Network Planning

The officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above.

11.33am Mr Copeland rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that the Committee is content with the policy merits of these proposals.

11.34am The Officials left the meeting

7. Terms of Reference: Committee Inquiry – Unadopted Roads

Members noted a briefing paper detailing a draft terms of reference for the Committee’s inquiry into unadopted roads in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: Members agreed the draft terms of reference and signposting, subject to amendments. The Committee also agreed to issue a press release announcing the commencement of the inquiry.

8. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure

Members noted: