MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 19th JUNE 2002

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee

Minutes of meeting held in part public / part closed session on Wednesday, 19 June 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules the Department intends to make
3. Breakdown of Enterprise Train
4. Public Meeting in Newry
5. Regional Transportation Strategy
6. Water and Sewerage Services
7. Any Other Business
8. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr P McNamee
Mr G Savage

Apologies:
Mr D Ervine
Mr M Robinson

Absent:
Mr R Hutchinson

In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss C Lagan (Executive Support)
Miss K Davidson (Executive Support)
Mrs S Young (Administrative Support)

The meeting was called to order at 10:40am in public session.

1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2002 were agreed.

2. Statutory Rules the Department intends to make

The Committee noted two Statutory Rules which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.

3. Breakdown of Enterprise Train

The Committee noted the content of the response from Translink in relation to the breakdown of the Enterprise Train on 27 February 2002.

The Committee discussed the level and quality of service provided on the Enterprise and was aware of a number of passengers who had expressed dissatisfaction with the catering facilities and services provided.

Agreed: To write to Translink about this matter.

4. Public Meeting in Newry

The Committee discussed the arrangements for next week's meeting which will be held in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

Members were asked to advise Committee staff of their travel arrangements.

Mr Savage joined the meeting at 10:59am

The meeting moved to closed session.

5. Regional Transportation Strategy

The Minister and Departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:00am.

Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 11:05am

The Minister briefed the Committee on the proposed Regional Transportation Strategy and answered members' questions.

6. Water and Sewerage Services

The Minister briefed the Committee on the main issues facing the Department in providing water and sewerage services.

Agreed: The Committee will discuss this matter in more detail at a future meeting.

Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12:48pm

The Chairman thanked the Minister and officials and they left the meeting at 12.50pm.

The Committee then returned to discuss the Regional Transportation Strategy.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the broad thrust and direction of the Regional Transportation Strategy and agreed that given the timescale for consideration by the Assembly, it would not be possible to provide a final written response to the Department.

The meeting returned to public session.

7. Any Other Business

(a) Possible visit to the Department of the Environment and Local Government in Dublin to discuss the potential Spatial Strategy

Members suggested that a visit to the Department of the Environment and Local Government in Dublin to discuss the National Spatial Strategy would be useful. It would also provide an opportunity to learn about road tolling and hear from a company involved in such operations.

(b) Planning Applications

The Committee discussed the recent media reports on the refusal of planning applications for new developments due to insufficient capacity of WasteWater Treatment Works.

Agreed: To discuss the matter further at next week's meeting.

8. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 26 June 2002 at 10.30am in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

The meeting adjourned at 12:54pm