Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 13 June 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.34am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Deputy Chairperson informed Members of his recent meeting with the Chairperson and
the Minister for Regional Development in respect of the Committee decision to pray against the Penalty Charges (Prescribed Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Statutory Rule. Members noted the concerns of the Minster in respect of the potential annulment of the rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a proposal to rescind the Committee decision taken on 6th June 2012 in respect of the Penalty Charges (Prescribed Amounts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Statutory Rule be debated at the meeting scheduled for Wednesday 20 June 2012 and that the Minister for Regional Development be invited to attend.
10.41am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 6th June 2012.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the correspondence received.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence in respect of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan and agreed that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment should scrutinise the plan.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the Belfast on the Move Masterplan and agreed to invite the Department to brief the Committee on the matter.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of the temporary closure of the Coleraine to Londonderry Railway line.
Agreed:The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of Translink’s engagement with the Committee for Regional Development and agreed that the Department would arrange a series of briefings by Translink.
The Committee noted a paper by Assembly Research and Information Service in respect of Discounted Car Parking Initiatives.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department for the Environment in respect of the Committee’s inquiry into un-adopted roads in Northern Ireland and agreed to include it in the Committee report.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence between the Committee for the Environment and the Department in relation to concerns raised by the Rivers Trust NI in respect of the Ballinderry River being polluted by NI Water, and agreed to forward it to the Department for response.
5. The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association and UNITE Briefing: Translink Corporate Plan
10.54am The following Representatives joined the meeting:
Manuel Cortes – TSSA General Secretary
Jeremy Saulters – TSSA Irish Committee
Davy McMurray – UNITE Regional Officer
Jim Kelly – UNITE Regional Secretary
10.54am Mr Hussey declared an interest as a member of UNITE
The Representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.28am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
11.33am Mr Dallat left the meeting
11.38am Mr Dallat re-joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek figures for the number of buses in the Translink fleet which failed critical services tests. The representatives also agreed to write to the Committee with a summary of proposed efficiencies for Translink.
11.44am The Representatives left the meeting
11.45am Mr McNarry left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing: End Year Performance
11.45am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Barney McGahan – Deputy Secretary; Regional Planning and Transportation
Geoff Allister – Chief Executive; Roads Service
Barry Jordan – Deputy Secretary; Finance, Resource and Water Policy
Deborah McNeilly – Director of Finance
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.57am Mr Dallat re-joined the meeting
11.57am Mr McNarry re-joined the meeting
Agreed: The Officials also agreed to write to the Committee with the financial cost of sick leave in the Department in respect of industrial workers.
12.00pm The Officials left the meeting
7. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure
Members noted:
- The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
8. Prayer of Annulment
On a written submission from the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson put the question:
Question: That a motion be tabled at the meeting of 20th June 2012 to rescind the Committee decision, taken at the meeting of 6th June 2012, to seek an annulment to the proposed statutory rule.
The Committee divided: Ayes 7; Noes 1
Ayes: Mr Doherty; Mr Dallat; Mr Lynch; Mrs Kelly; Mr McCrea; Mr McNarry; Mr Moutray
Noes: Mr Hussey.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a motion be tabled at the meeting of 20th June 2012 to rescind the Committee decision, taken at the meeting of 6th June 2012, to seek an annulment to the proposed statutory rule.
9. Any other business
Members noted that the Committee would visit Portadown Railway Station on Wednesday 4 July 2012 and were asked to indicate their availability for the visit.
Agreed: Mr Lynch informed the Committee of an issue involving NIW. Members agreed that the Clerk would write to the Department in respect of the matter.
10. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 20th June 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21.
12.06pm The meeting was adjourned
