Committee Chair Clarifies Flood Meetings

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Regional Development, Mr Jimmy Spratt MLA, has today sought to provide clarity on the Committee’s request for an update from the Minister, Mr Danny Kennedy MLA, on the recent flooding incidents.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson said: “Contrary to what has been reported today, the Committee did not set a date for a meeting on floods for this week.  At their last meeting, Members agreed to make themselves available for a meeting either at the end of July or in August to receive a report on the response of all relevant agencies to the recent flooding incidences.

“As has been indicated, this is a cross-cutting exercise and this has been recognised by the Executive through the appointment of the Performance and Efficiency Unit (PEDU) to undertake an in-depth review on the matter.  PEDU are expected to report back in August and the Department has confirmed that they will make themselves available to the Committee once this process is completed.” 

“In the meantime I, as Chair of the Committee, will continue having regular dialogue with both the Minister and senior officials from the Department and Northern Ireland Water.”