Committee for Infrastructure
Minutes of Proceedings - 10 November 2021
Minutes of 17 November 2021.pdf (323.62 kb)
Meeting Location: The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena
Present:
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA(Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA
Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
Ms Liz Kimmins MLA
Mr Andrew Muir MLA
Mr George Robinson MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
None
Apologies:
Mr David Hilditch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Pádraig Delargy MLA
Ms Cara Hunter MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Vincent Gribbin (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lawless (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced at 10:10 am in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Chairpersons Business
The Committee discussed members’ attendance at an event, on 10 November 2021, organised by Sustrans, to promote the use of E-Bikes.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Sustrans thanking them for the invitation to the event and to schedule a briefing from them in the Forward Work Programme.
The Committee discussed the pressures facing the Official Report and the need to prioritise which briefings are transcribed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that, if necessary, the researcher would be asked to review the recording and provide a synopsis of the issues raised.
The Committee discussed the arrangements for an engagement event with organisations who have requested to brief the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a virtual event on Wednesday 15 December 2021 which will be facilitated by Assembly Engagement.
3. Draft Minutes.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 10 November 2021.
4. Matters Arising
None.
5. Correspondence
Translink response to Committee correspondence regarding the Impact of SL1 – The Regulation (EC) No 1370 2007 (Public Service Obligation in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the response.
Correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the Publication of Living with Water in Belfast - An Integrated Plan for Drainage and Wastewater Management in Greater Belfast.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing from Northern Ireland Water in the Forward Work Programme.
Copy correspondence from FonaCab to the Minister for Infrastructure regarding taxi driver testing.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the correspondence.
6. Subordinate Legislation – SL1s – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings
The Committee consideredthe following SL1 not subject to any Assembly proceedings.
- SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Lisburn) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
7. Subordinate Legislation - SRs - Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings
The Committee consideredthe following SRs not subject to any Assembly proceedings.
- SR 2021-294 The Parking Places Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Randalstown) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021
- SR 2021-296 The Traffic Weight Restriction (Clady) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021
- SR 2021-290 The Road Races (Ulster Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the Statutory Rules.
8. Departmental Briefing – Review of Taxi Fares
The Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:18 am
Dr Chris Hughes, Director of Safe & Accessible Travel
Mr Donald Starritt, Safe and Accessible Travel Division
The Departmental officials provided the Committee with an oral briefing.
A question and answer session followed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials will provide the Terms of Reference for the comprehensive Review of Taxi Fares when available and how it intends to engage fully with the sector.
The Chairperson thanked the Departmental officials for their attendance.
The Departmental officials left the meeting at 11:01 am.
The Committee considered the proposal for Statutory Rule - SL1 - The Taxis (Taximeters, Devices and Maximum fares) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
Mr George Robinson joined the meeting at 11:01 am.
9. Briefing from Wrightbus – Driving a Greener Future
The representatives joined the meeting at 11:04 am
Mr Neil Collins, Managing Director, Wrightbus
Mr John McLeister, Sales Director, Wrightbus
The representatives provided the Committee with an oral briefing.
A question and answer session followed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the representatives will engage with its partner company Ryse Hydrogen to provide the Committee with information on the delays they face in the planning process.
Mr McLeister left the meeting at 12:18 pm.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance.
Mr Collins left the meeting at 12:24 pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing from Hydrogen NI in the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Infrastructure to ascertain what opportunities exist for economically important planning applications for green infrastructure to be expedited.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered the Draft Forward Work Programme.
11. Any Other Business
The Committee considered a proposal to request an update from the Department in relation to ongoing work on the A1 to improve road safety.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a written update from the Department in relation to the Road Safety Strategy and, in particular, road safety on the A1.
12. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 pm.
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure
24 November 2021
