Minutes of Proceedings - 13 May 1999

1.Election of Acting Chairperson

The Clerk advised the Committee that, since neither of the Joint Chairpersons was able to attend, it was necessary to elect an acting Chairperson for the meeting.

Assembly Member Neeson proposed Assembly Member Tierney, and this was agreed to unanimously by the Committee.

Assembly Member Tierney took the Chair.

2.Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

3.Matters arising

i. Lord Dubs will re-attend to give oral evidence on Wednesday 19 May 1999 at 10.30am.

ii. The Clerk has written to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHCs) for their views on how the public interest could be safeguarded under the PPP option, and he has also asked for a copy of their detailed proposals for the Port.

iii. The Clerk has received a reply from the BHCs about the discrepancies in relation to the Port's land acreage and its usage that Assembly Member McGimpsey had noted in their brochures, and this has been copied to members.

4.Oral Evidence: Warrenpoint Port Users Association

Witnesses:
Mr V McGovern (Hon. Secretary)
Mr J Thornton
Mr N McPartland

4.AOB:

i. The Committee noted a letter that the Clerk had received from Mr Robin McMinnis of the DOE suggesting a meeting between himself, his advisers and the UUJ Special Advisers to discuss their (UUJ) proposals. The Committee agreed not to take up the offer, as the Special Advisers' report is imminent.

ii. The Committee agreed to consider the Clerk's draft list of essential criteria to be met by any preferred option for the Port, which will be tabled for discussion at the meeting on Thursday 20 May.

MR J TIERNEY

(Acting Chairperson)