MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS - 6th MARCH 2002

RD 09/02 (2)

Proceedings of the Regional Development Committee

Minutes of meeting held in public session on Wednesday, 6th March 2002 in room 135, Parliament Buildings

1. Minutes of last meeting
2. Railway Safety Bill
4. Finance and Personnel Committee Inquiry
5. North Down Waste Water Treatment Works
6. Any Other Business
7. Date of Next Meeting

Present were:
Mr A Maginness (Chairman)
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr R Hutchinson
Mr P McNamee
Mr M Robinson
Mr G Savage

Apologies:
Mr A McFarland
Mr J Byrne
Mr D Ervine
Mr W Hay
Mr D Hussey

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

The meeting was called to order at 10.43a.m.

1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2002 were agreed.

2. Railway Safety Bill - Evidence Session

Mr Ted Hesketh and Mr Alan Mercer, from Translink joined the meeting at 10.45a.m. and Mr. Johnny Glendinning from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland joined at 11.40a.m. They gave presentations on their views and concerns about this Bill and answered Members' questions.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance. Mr Hesketh and Mr Mercer left the meeting at 11.40a.m. and Mr Glendinning left at 11.53.

3. Possible Meeting with DOE and Department of Enterprise in ROI and Possible Visit to Welsh Assembly

The committee was informed that no further progress has been made with the visit to Dublin.

A possible agenda for the visit to the Welsh Assembly and Welsh Water (Glas Cyrmu) was put forward. The committee agreed to go ahead with the draft itinerary.

It was agreed that further consideration be given to a visit to Manchester to look at the public transport system. It was suggested that this visit could coincide with the visit to Wales.

4. Finance and Personnel Committee Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives

The Department of Finance and Personnel has issued an inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives. The closing date for responses is 31 March.

Action: Forward a letter to the Minister seeking the department's views on this inquiry. Raise this matter again when response is received.

5. North Down Waste Water Treatment Works

In the absence of the Deputy Chairman and other members who had raised this agenda item it was agreed that they may wish to raise this issue at a future meeting.

6. Any Other Business

Breakdown of Enterprise Train - Translink Emergency Plan

In the absence of the Deputy Chairman (who raised this agenda item) it was agreed that this item would be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the committee.

UK Sustainable Development Commission - Reception on 12 March

A letter was handed out to committee members regarding a seminar on Tuesday 12 March by the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Action: Any members interested in attending should contact the Committee staff.

7. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 13 March 2002 at 10.30a.m. in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12.00p.m.