MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 20th MARCH 2002
Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee
Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 20 March 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings
1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Statutory Rules
3. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
4. Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS)
5. Railway Safety Bill
6. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
7. Harbour Orders - Briefing by Department
8. Programme of Work
9. Breakdown of the Enterprise Train - Translink Emergency Plan
10. Any Other Business
11. Date of Next Meeting
Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr A McFarland (Deputy Chairman)
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage
Apologies:
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
In Attendance:
Mr L Barr (Committee Clerk)
Mr N Currie (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss C Lagan (Executive Support)
Mrs S Young (Administrative Support)
Miss J Massey (Administrative Support)
The meeting was called to order at 10.39am.
1. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2002 were agreed.
2. Statutory Rules
a) The Committee noted six Statutory Rules, which the Department intends to make, but which will not be laid in the Assembly.
b) The Committee considered the Statutory Rule:
Proposed Knockanoney Heights, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2002
The Department intends to make this Rule, which is subject to negative resolution.
The Committee agreed the course of action proposed in the Rule.
3. Statutory Rules laid in the Assembly
The Committee considered one Statutory Rule, subject to negative resolution, which has been made and laid in the Assembly.
Question Put and Agreed: That the Regional Development Committee has considered the Statutory Rule 38/2002 -
Stonard Street, Moneymore (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (NI) 2002
and has no objection to the Rule.
Mr Savage joined the meeting at 10.45am.
Mr Hussey joined the meeting at 10.52am.
4. Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) - Interim Response to the Department
Members had in their papers a copy of the Committee's draft interim response to the Department on the Regional Transportation Strategy.
Members discussed the report and felt that it should be endorsed subject to some suggested amendments being made before it is issued to the Department.
Agreed: Reference to the following should be added to the draft response:
- there should be a balance of development in transportation across Northern Ireland.
- concern as to the level of private sector funding estimated as available over the ten year period.
- emphasise that this is an interim response and that it will be updated once the consultation has been completed.
Mr Robinson joined the meeting at 11.04am.
5. Railway Safety Bill
Mr Peter Rayner, a railway safety expert, joined the meeting at 10.56am. He gave a presentation on his views and concerns about the Bill and answered Members' questions.
The Chairman thanked Mr Rayner for his attendance and he left the meeting at 11.41am.
Mr Hutchinson left the meeting at 11.58am.
Mr Richard Aiken and Mr Garry McKenna from the Department for Regional Development joined the meeting at 11.41am. They answered Members' questions on the Bill.
The Chairman thanked Mr Aiken and Mr McKenna for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.17pm.
Agreed: Consideration should be given to identifying another witness with expertise in railway safety to give evidence on the Bill. If such a person is unavailable the Committee is content that no further evidence sessions are required.
Mr Maginness left the meeting at 12.23pm and Mr McFarland took the chair.
6. Antrim to Knockmore Railway Line
Mr Albert Harrison and Mr Uel Hoey from Belfast International Airport joined the meeting at 12.23pm. They gave a presentation to the Committee on transport issues relating to the airport. They outlined their ideas about a rail link to the airport and suggested that a bus link to Temlepatrick Station (5 miles) to connect to trains to Belfast and the North West would be the best way forward. They emphasised the need for a fast, frequent service for it to be attractive to customers.
The Deputy Chairman thanked Mr Harrison and Mr Hoey for their attendance and they left the meeting at 12.51pm.
7. Harbour Orders - Briefing by Department
Mr Hay declared an interest as a member of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners.
The following rules, which are subject to affirmative resolution, have been laid in the Assembly.
The Belfast Harbour Order (NI) 2002
The Londonderry Harbour Order (NI) 2002
The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (NI) 2002
Barbara Faloona from DRD joined the meeting at 12.54pm and gave a brief overview of the changes that have been made to the orders in the new drafts.
The committee considered the changes and the Examiner of Statutory Rules comments.
Agreed: Mrs Faloona to consider an inclusion in the Orders to state that Commissioners can remain in office for no more than two, 4 year terms.
The Deputy Chairman thanked Mrs Faloona and she left the meeting at 1.19pm.
8. Programme of Work
Members were asked to look at the two tables illustrating the proposed work plan for the Committee up unto December 2002 which they had in their papers and give comments on issues which they felt should be added to the list.
Agreed: Due to the large volume of work it was agreed that the Committee would have an additional meeting on 27 March 2002.
9. Breakdown of the Enterprise Train - Translink Emergency Plan
Agreed: It was agreed that this item would be added to the agenda for the meeting on 27 March 2002.
10. Any Other Business
Report on the Regional Development Committees' Visit to Europe
Agreed: It was agreed that this item would be added to the agenda for the meeting on 27 March 2002.
Harland & Wolff
Agreed: It was agreed to get an update on this issue from the Department and then ask Harland and Wolff representatives to attend a future meeting.
11. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 March 2002 at 10.30am in room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 1.30pm.
