Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 22 February 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.31am The meeting commenced in public session
1. Apologies
Mr Ian McCrea MLA
Mr Cathal Ó hOisín MLA
2. Chairperson’s Business
None
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 15th February 2012.
4. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to roles and responsibilities for surface water flood management.
The Committee noted a copy of the Consumer Council’s Corporate Plan and Equality Plan for 2011-15.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Regional Development in relation to the launch of the e-car charging infrastructure.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister in relation to the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted correspondence between the Department and the Committee for the Environment in relation to the Sustainable Framework for Aviation.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Coalition Against Water Charges in relation to its submission to the NI Executive.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the proposed sale of land at Rushmere Shopping Centre.
The Clerk informed Members that a meeting had been arranged between Roads Service and Mr McNarry in relation to procurement processes for A5 roads project.
5. Departmental briefing: Train Drivers Licensing
10.35am The following Departmental Officials joined the meeting:
Garry McKenna – Head of Policy & Legislation Branch
Ciaran Crilly – Policy & Legislation Branch
10.36am Mrs Kelly joined the meeting
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 write to the Committee providing information on how often medical examinations were carried out on train drivers; the number of drivers suspended in the last three years; and the reasons for those suspensions.
The Committee also agreed to write to NI Railways seeking information on the procedures for training drivers and how often fit for purpose tests were carried out on drivers.
10.57am The Officials left the meeting
6. Departmental Briefing – Development of grant scheme for private borewells
10.58am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Joanne Adair – Water Policy Division
Ian Maxwell – Water Policy Division
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.58am Mrs Kelly left the meeting
10.58am Mrs Kelly rejoined the meeting
Agreed It was agreed that the Officials would write to the Committee providing information on the public’s statutory rights in relation to water; the average value of a property without access to a water main; and the average costs of rates for a non-serviced property compared to a property serviced by a water main.
11.24am The Officials left the meeting
7. Subordinate legislation not subject to Assembly procedure
Members noted:
- The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012
8. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: Members considered the draft forward work programme for February to June 2012 and agreed that the Committee office should make arrangements for the visits and briefings in the programme. Members also noted that the Minister for Regional Development was scheduled to appear before the Committee at its next meeting to brief Members on EU Priorities.
9. Any other business
None
10. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 29th February 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.
11.29am The meeting was adjourned
Mr Joe Byrne MLA
Committee for Regional Development
29th February 2012
