Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 15 June 2011
Venue: NI Water Call Centre, Capital House, Upper Queen Street, Belfast
10.01am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
As above
The Chairperson wished to record his disappointment that more Members of the Committee were not present at the meeting.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 8 th June 2011.
3. Correspondence
The Chairperson reminded the Committee that Members should not make comments outside the meeting on behalf of the Committee or make comment on matters not yet agreed or discussed at Committee.
Members noted:
- Correspondence from the Department for Regional Development on rail closures on the arterial route in Lurgan
- Correspondence from the Department in relation to the Belfast Rapid Transit system
- Correspondence from Craigavon Borough Council in relation to the Craigavon Urban Area Local Transportation Study
- Correspondence from the Head of the Civil Service in relation to the investigation into Mr Paul Priestly.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Committee of the Environment on the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive seeking the Department’s comments and agreed to forward the correspondence to DRD for a response directly to the Committee of the Environment.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department with an invitation to a consultation workshop on 29 th June regarding the scoping document in relation to the Aviation Policy Framework. Members agreed to write to the Department highlighting that as the Committee meets on Wednesday mornings, they are unable to attend and to request that, where possible, events to which Members are invited should not be scheduled at the same time as Committee meetings.
Agreed: Members noted a proposal from Mr Dickson and agreed to visit the three airports in autumn 2011 at dates to be arranged by the Committee office.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to NI Bike Week’s MLA Cycle Ride on 20 th June and agreed to advise the Clerk if they wish to participate.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Consumer Council in relation the Guide to Public Transport for Young People and agreed that the Chair, deputy Chair and any other Members who wish participate in a press photo on 22 nd June to launch the publication.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Rural Community Network and agreed to request a written briefing from RCN.
Agreed: The Committee noted an extract from the Northern Ireland Audit Office on Good Practice in Risk Management and agreed to forward to the Department for comment and to seek a copy of the DRD Risk Register.
4. Non Departmental Briefing: Northern Ireland Water – Introductory Briefing
10.14am The following officials joined the meeting:
Trevor Haslett – Interim Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Water
Sean Hogan – Chairperson, Northern Ireland Water
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.46am The officials left the meeting
5. Departmental Briefing: Water Resource Management Plan – outcome of public consultation
10.47am The following officials joined the meeting:
Kieran Coughlan - Water Policy Division, DRD
David Lynch –Water Policy Division, DRD
Paddy Brow - Head of Asset Strategy, Northern Ireland Water
Len Jackson - Clean Water Strategy Manager, Northern Ireland Water
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.10am The officials left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing: Regional Development Strategy – outcome of consultation
11.11am The following officials joined the meeting:
Jenny Pyper – Director, Regional Planning and Transportation
Ian Raphael – Deputy Director, Regional Planning and Transportation
Alison McQueen – Grade 7, Regional Planning and Transportation
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.37am The officials left the meeting
7. Non Departmental Briefing: Translink – Briefing on fares and service plans
11.38am The following officials joined the meeting:
Catherine Mason - Group Chief Executive for NITHC & Translink
Philip O’Neill - NITHC Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of Translink
Barney McGahan - Deputy Secretary for Regional Planning and Transportation, DRD
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.01pm The officials left the meeting
8. Non Departmental Briefing: Consumer Council – Introductory Briefing
12.02pm The following officials joined the meeting:
Antoinette McKeown - Chief Executive
Aodhan O’Donnell - Director of Policy and Education
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: The Committee noted that the Consumer Council had previously supplied information on air travel to the previous Committee and agreed that this should be forwarded to this Committee for consideration.
12.26pmpm The officials left the meeting
9. Statutory Rule 2011/186 – The Colin Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/186 The Colin Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
10. Statutory Rule 2011/187 – The Lisburn Road, Ballynahinch (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/187 – The Lisburn Road, Ballynahinch (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
11. Statutory Rule 2011/188 – The Carryduff Road, Temple (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/188 – The Carryduff Road, Temple (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
12. Statutory Rule 2011/189 – The Shipquay Place, Londonderry (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/189 – The Shipquay Place, Londonderry (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
13. Statutory Rule 2011/206 – The Dundrod Circuit (Admission Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/206 – The Dundrod Circuit (Admission Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
14. Statutory Rule 2011/207 – The A25 Newtown Road, Camlough (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development has considered Statutory Rule 2011/207 – The A25 Newtown Road, Camlough (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
15. Any Other Business
Agreed: The Committee noted a press release on today’s meeting and visit at Northern Ireland Water’s call centre and agreed that this should be issued.
16. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday 22 June 2011 at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
12.31pm The meeting was adjourned
