Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 03 October 2012
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
10.10am The meeting commenced in open session
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson thanked Mr Moutray for his contribution to the Committee and wished him all the best in his new role and welcomed Mr Easton to the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee to write to Mr Moutray thanking him for his contribution to the Committee.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 26th September 2012 subject to a minor amendment.
4. Correspondence
Members noted the correspondence received.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Social Development regarding Mapping Poverty and Social Deprivation and agreed to forward to DRD for comment.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from GMB Conductors Representatives N.I.Railways regarding staffing levels at Northern Ireland Railways and agreed to forward to Translink for comment.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Cyclist.ie regarding a submission to DRD on Proposed Changes to Taxi Access to Bus Lanes.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Northern Ireland Water regarding the launch of 2012/13 Winter Campaign at Parliament Buildings.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association regarding ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ on Tuesday 9th October.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Rathlin Development & Community Association.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department offering the Chair and Deputy Chair to meet Mr Brian Simpson MEP, Chair to the European Parliament Transport and Tourism Committee and agreed the Chair and Deputy Chair to attend.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Draft Aviation Policy Framework consultation workshop.
Agreed: Members agreed to take item 9 as the next agenda item.
9. Any Other Business
Agreed: The Chairperson informed members that there is a Total Transport event being held in London which is relevant to the current Committee Inquiry on integrated transport and agreed that a small delegation from the Committee, including the Chair and deputy Chair, attend the event.
Agreed: Mrs Kelly raised a point in relation to the City of Culture and members agreed to write to the Minister asking for an update on managing and planning, including transport, for the City of Culture.
10.19am The Chairperson suspended the meeting
10.21am The meeting recommenced in public session
5. Ministerial Briefing
10.21am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Danny Kennedy – Minister for Regional Development
David Orr – Finance, Resources & Water Policy Division, DRD
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
10.25am Mr Cathal Ó hOisín joined the meeting
10.30am Mr Ian McCrea joined the meeting
11.16am Mr Alex Easton left the meeting
11.24am Mr David McNarry joined the meeting
11.24am Mr Alex Easton rejoined the meeting
11.35am Mr Declan McAleer left the meeting
11.37am The Officials left the meeting
6. Translink Briefing: Railway Investment
11.39am The following Officials joined the meeting:
Catherine Mason – Chief Executive
Philip O’Neill – Chief Operating Officer
The Officials presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.45am Mr Declan McAleer rejoined the meeting
11.56am Mrs Dolores Kelly left the meeting
12.02pm Mr Ian McCrea left the meeting
12.09pm Mrs Dolores Kelly rejoined the meeting
12.32pm Mr John Dallat left the meeting
12.35pm Mr John Dallat rejoined the meeting
12.43pm Mr Ross Hussey joined the meeting
1.09pm The Chairperson left the meeting and the deputy Chairperson took the chair
1.10pm Mr Alex Easton left the meeting
1.15pm The Chairperson rejoined the meeting and took the chair
1.15pm Mr Séan Lynch left the meeting
1.16pm Mr David McNarry left the meeting
1.18pm Mr Séan Lynch rejoined the meeting
1.22pm Mr Cathal Ó hOisín left the meeting
1.24pm Mr David McNarry rejoined the meeting
1.26pm The Officials left the meeting
1.26pm The Chairperson suspended the meeting d
1.50pm The meeting commenced in open session with the following members present:
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Mr Séan Lynch MLA
Mr Declan McAleer MLA
Mr David McNarry MLA
Mrs Dolores Kelly MLA
1.52pm Mr Cathal Ó hOisín rejoined the meeting
1.53pm Mrs Dolores Kelly left the meeting
9. Any Other Business
Agreed: Mr Lynch raised the issue surrounding an appointment to Northern Ireland Water and members agreed to write to the Minister asking why he did not appeal this decision and to write to the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Attorney General asking for their views on this matter.
7. Engage With Age Briefing
1.54pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
Herbie Rennie – Belfast East Seniors Forum
Nick Mehinnick – South Belfast Lifestyle Forum
James Watson – Castlereagh Lifestyle Forum
Geraldine McKee – West Belfast 50+
The representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.11pm Mr Declan McAleer left the meeting
2.31pm Mr Declan McAleer rejoined the meeting
2.34pm The representatives left the meeting
8. Lisburn Road Business Association Briefing
2.35pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
Peter Carrington – Chairman of Lisburn Road Business Association
Paul MacConaghy – Framar Health
Liam McStravick – Copius Group
Uel Weir – Paperclip Architects
The representatives presented to the Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.37pm Mr Lynch left the meeting
2.38pm Mr Lynch rejoined the meeting
2.56pm The representatives left the meeting
10. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be Wednesday 10th October 2012 at 10.30am in Room 21.
2.58pm The meeting was adjourned
Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Regional Development
10/10/12
