Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 16 May 2012
Venue: Room 21
10.11am The meeting commenced in closed session
The Clerk briefed Members in respect of legal advice regarding Statutory Legislation.
10.12am Mr Doherty joined the meeting
10.14am Mr Dallat joined the meeting
Agreed: It was agreed that the Committee Clerk would provide an options paper in respect of changes to proposed statutory legislation.
10.19am The meeting moved to public sessio
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Dallat and Mr Hussey as the newest Members of the Committee and thanked the Deputy Chairperson and Committee Members for their work in his absence.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Séan Lynch and Mr Stephen Moutray for attending a stakeholder event in Brussels, at short notice, in respect of TEN-T issues.
Mr Lynch briefed Members on the outcome of the meeting.
10.33am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting
10.36am Mr Moutray joined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Minister should be apprised of the outcome of the Stakeholder Event in Brussels and that Departmental Officials should be encouraged to play a more pro-active role in the on-going negotiations.
10.43am Mr McCrea joined the meeting
1. Apologies
None.
2. Chairperson’s Business
None.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 9th May 2012.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the correspondence received.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the limitations of DFP responsibility in respect of the NI Authority for Utility Regulation.
The Committee noted correspondence between the Department and the Committee for the Environment in respect of an invite to submit evidence on the Marine Bill.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of a public consultation on proposals to extend access to bus lanes to all taxis.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in respect of Translink’s Corporate Plan.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Consumer Council in respect of a business case for consumer representation on Transport Issues.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Quarry Products Association in respect of a publication by the Department of Transport on potholes.
The Committee noted correspondence from a member of the public in respect of public funds and job security within Translink.
The Committee noted a list of properties subject to enforcement action.
The Committee noted correspondence between Mr McNarry and a chartered surveying firm in respect of the issue of compensation being paid to farm owners affected by the construction of the A5.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development in respect of the recent TEN-T Stakeholder Event and Departmental negotiations on TEN-T.
5. Translink briefing: Corporate Plan
10.48am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Catherine Mason – Group Chief Executive, NITHC & Translink
Barney McGahan – Deputy Secretary Regional Planning and Transportation
Philip O’Neill – Translink Chief Operating Officer
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: It was agreed that the Officials would provide further information on the costs and outcomes of all consultancy and internal efficiency reviews into Translink. Officials also agreed to furnish the Committee with information on revenue received from concessionary fare Translink passengers.
11.52am Mr Moutray left the meeting
11.56am Mr McNarry left the meeting
11.57am The Officials left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing – Active Travel Strategy – Update on Outcome of Consultation
11.58am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Andrew Grieve – Principal Officer, Transport, policy, Strategy & Legislation Division
Ciaran Crilly – Deputy Principal Officer, Transport, policy, Strategy & Legislation Division
The Representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.00pm Mr Lynch left the meeting
12.03pm Mr Lynch re-joined the meeting
12.03pm Mr Dickson left the meeting
12.03pm Mr Spratt left the meeting
12.03pm Mr Doherty took the chair
12.08pm Mr McNarry re-joined the meeting
12.08pm Mr Ó hOisín left the meeting
12.11pm Mr Ó hOisín re-joined the meeting
12.12pm Mr Dickson re-joined the meeting
Agreed: It was agreed that the Officials would provide the Committee with further information on the Active Travel pilot scheme and a timetable for its implementation.
12.20pm The Officials left the meeting
7. Draft Terms of Reference - Community and Public Transport Inquiry
Agreed: Members noted a briefing paper on the Committee’s proposed inquiry into community and public transport in Northern Ireland and agreed the terms of reference within.
8. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure
Members noted:
- The Parking Places on Roads (Larne) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Waiting Restrictions (Larne) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
- The Off-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
9. SL1: The Longlands Avenue, Newtownabbey (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department indicating that it is content with the merits of the policy proposals.
10. Statutory Rule: SR 2012/172 The Trunk Road T9 (Coleman’s Corner to Ballyrickard Road) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
Agreed: The Committee for Regional Development considered Statutory Rule 2012/172 The Trunk Road T9 (Coleman’s Corner to Ballyrickard Road) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012 and had no objection to the rule.
11. Any other business
Agreed: Following a request from Mrs Kelly, it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Department in respect of access for carers to disabled parking bays.
Agreed: Following a suggestion by Mr McNarry, the Committee agreed to write to the relevant unions inviting them to present to the Committee in respect of Translink’s Corporate Plan.
12. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 23rd May 2012 at 11.30am in the City Hotel Derry.
12.31pm The meeting was adjourned
