Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 20 October 2021

Minutes of 20 October 2021.pdf (331.97 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:                 

Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA(Chairperson)

Mr Roy Beggs MLA

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Mr Padraig Delargey MLA

Ms Cara Hunter MLA

Ms Liz Kimmins MLA

Mr Andrew Muir MLA

Apologies:             

Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy-Chairperson)

Mr George Robinson MLA

In Attendance:      

Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 10:00 am in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Chairpersons Business

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Cara Hunter to the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Mrs Dolores Kelly thanking her for her service and contribution to the Committee.

The Committee considered a summary of its strategic planning meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the summary of the discussion from the Strategic Planning meeting.

3. Draft Minutes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 13 October 2021.

4. Matters Arising

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to all Local Councils urging them to engage with the Department in respect of its consideration of changes or clarification on the implementation of Strategic Planning Policy on Development in the Countryside.

5. Correspondence

Correspondence from The Speaker’s Office regarding a public petition on the Strategy for Expanding the Electric Vehicle Charging Network.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence.

Correspondence from the National Association of Funeral Directors Northern Ireland Federation regarding the application of taxi licensing to limousine drivers.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for information and comment.

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence regarding issues arising from the Committee meeting on 29 September 2021.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department for information on what difficulties there have been for perspective driving instructors getting theory and practical tests to allow them to become instructors.  

Copy correspondence from Lord Jay to Baroness Vere on the Protocol – Motor vehicles with regard to their intelligent speed assistance systems (ISA).

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence.

Copy correspondence from Lord Jay to Robert Courts MP - Protocol new mobile machinery from a producer in Northern Ireland with a valid EU type approval will continue to be accepted in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek information on the implications of continued EU regulation of mobile machinery in Northern Ireland; specifically on:

• what would happen if technology is required in cars in NI under EU rules and comes from Great Britain in a vehicle without this technology,
• as the market for EU compliant righthand vehicles has now reduced what are the cost implications for NI drivers purchasing these vehicles.

Copy of the Examiner of Statutory Rules Fourth Report of the Session 2021-2022.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the report.

Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure regarding the withdrawal of the Planning Advice Note (PAN) Implementation of Strategic Planning Policy on Development in the Countryside.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence.

Assembly Research and Information Service paper on MOT Provision in other jurisdictions.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing in the forward work programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding a breakdown of the theory booking tests on the DVA booking system.

6. Subordinate Legislation – SL1’s – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee consideredthe following SL1 not subject to any Assembly proceedings.

•  SL1 - The Parking Places Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Randalstown) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021.

 Agreed:    The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.

7. SL1 – The Regulation (EC) No 1370 2007 (Public Service Obligation in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Regulation (EC) No 1370 2007 (Public Service Obligation in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021.

The Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:16 am.

Mrs Jackie Robinson, Director of Public Transport Division                      

Mrs Linda Buick, Public Transport Division

The Departmental officials provided the Committee with an oral briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 10:32 am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Translink regarding the practical impact of the proposal for the statutory rule. 

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to consider the proposal following consultation with sector stakeholders.

8. Briefing from Association of British Insurers – MOT/Insurance Issues

The representative joined the meeting at 10:33 am

Mr Alastair Ross, Assistant Director, Head of Public Policy (Scotland, Wales & NI), Association of British Insurers

The representative provided the Committee with an oral briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The representative agreed to provide clarity on the implications of the backlog in MOT tests on whether insurance holders, where Breakdown Cover is included remain covered by the breakdown cover when they are in the queue for an MOT date.

Agreed: The representative agreed to explore if telematics technology has been considered in the provision of insurance in the HGV sector.

The Chairperson thanked the representative for his attendance.

The representative left the meeting at 11:04 am.

9. Department Briefing – Controlled Parking Zones

The Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:04 am

Mr David Porter – Director of Engineering

Mr Stephen Wood – Head of Transport Planning & Modelling Unit

The Departmental officials provided the Committee with an oral briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Departmental officials agreed to provide the evidence used in the in Newry as part of the 2009 Review.

The Chairperson thanked the Departmental officials for their attendance.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 11:38 am

The Committee moved into closed session at 11:39 am.

10. Committee Inquiry into the Decarbonisation of Road Transport in Northern Ireland - Consideration of Report

The Committee considered its Draft Inquiry Report into the Decarbonisation of Road Transport in Northern Ireland.

The Committee resumed public session at 12:16 pm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the amended Inquiry Report at its meeting on 3 November 2021.

11. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the Draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed:   The Committee agreed the forward work programme.

12. Any Other Business

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting a briefing decision in the Judicial Review on the North/South Interconnector.

13. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting

The Committee agreed that the next meeting would be on Wednesday, 3 November 2021 at 10:00 am in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:19 pm.

Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

3 November 2021