Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 13 March 2024

Committee for Infrastructure - Minutes of Proceedings 13 March 2024.pdf (203.24 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA(Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Danny Baker MLA

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Patrick Brown MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Attending via video conference:

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Apologies:

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Philip Pateman (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 10:05 am in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded members of their responsibilities under Standing Order 69(5) that all Assembly Members are required to register any relevant financial and other interests in the Register of Members’ Interests and the requirement to declare, at various times, any relevant financial or other interests which relate to the work of any committee of which they are a member.

Mr Cathal Boylan declared an interest stating that the Roads Service in the Department for Infrastructure employs a member of his family.

The Chairperson declared an interest stating that she is encountering difficulties in securing an MOT Test for her vehicle and that the Driver and Vehicle Agency employs a member of her family.

Mr Keith Buchanan declared an interest stating that he is encountering difficulties in securing an MOT Test for his vehicle.

3. Chairperson’s Business

There was no Chairperson’s business.

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed:         The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 that were tabled.

5. Matters Arising

None.

6. Correspondence

Correspondence from Northern Ireland Water providing a response to the issues raised during oral evidence on 21 February 2024.

Agreed: To raise relevant issues with the Minister during his evidence.

Correspondence copied to the Committee sent to the Minister for Infrastructure from the Committee for the Economy to highlight concerns around planning delays relating to Renewable Energy Infrastructure.

Agreed: To request a copy of the response from the Department for Infrastructure to the Committee for the Economy once issued.

Correspondence from a member of the public highlighting concerns over delays to the York Street Interchange.

Agreed: To request a response from the Department to the views expressed in the correspondence.

Correspondence from the Maritime Belfast Trust extending an invitation to host the Committee at a future date to discuss framework ambitions of the Trust.

Agreed: To consider again when addressing key issues raised in the correspondence.

Correspondence from the Belfast Harbour Commissioners extending an invitation to host the Committee at a future date and for an introductory briefing.

Agreed: To receive written evidence in the first instance outlining the work of Belfast Harbour Trust.

Correspondence from the Minister of Infrastructure providing a substantive response to the issues arising at the Committee meeting on 21 February 2024, on EU related matters and general application of requirements for restricting access to vehicles across the road network.

Agreed: To raise relevant issues with the Minister during his evidence.

Correspondence from the Competition and Markets Authority highlighting its role and functions and an advance copy of its draft Annual Plan for 2024-25.

Agreed: To consider again when addressing key issues raised in the correspondence.

Correspondence from the Motorcycle Action Group to highlight the impact of road defects and safety for motorcyclists.

Agreed: To consider again when addressing key issues raised in the correspondence.

The Committee noted a Ministerial response to issues arising from the Committee for Infrastructure meeting on 14 February.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing a substantive response to issues raised on 14 February 2024 relating to licence and testing fees for motorists, biennial MOT testing, classes of taxi licences, details of the request for abandonment for Areema Drive, Dunmurry and a copy of the departmental business plan for 2022-23.

The Committee noted a press release by the Minister for Infrastructure announcing the reappointment of one councillor from Derry City and Strabane District Council to the Board of the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners.

The Committee noted the Third Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

7. DfI’s Legislative Programme, Policy Priorities, Financial Position including Actions Taken in the Absence if Ministers – Ministerial Evidence

The Minister for Infrastructure, Mr John O’Dowd and Permanent Secretary, Mr Denis McMahon joined the meeting at 10:12 am.

Agreed:To move into closed session to consider commercially sensitive matters, at 10:13 am.

Agreed: The Minister to provide further detail to the Committee the issues raised.

Agreed: To move into public session, at 10:38 am.

The Minister provided the Committee with oral evidence highlighting the Department’s policy priorities and proposed legislative programme with the following five Executive Bills currently being developed or under consideration:

  • Water, Flooding and Drainage Bill;
  • Ports and Harbours Bill;
  • Rail and Road Transport Bill;
  • Transport Decarbonisation Bill; and
  • Planning (Amendment) Bill.

A question and answer session followed.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Mr John O’Dowd MLA declared an interest stating that a close family member is a member of the Planning Committee at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

The Minister and Permanent Secretary left the meeting at 12:30 pm.

Agreed: To receive a response from the Department to any areas identified in the Minister’s First Day Brief that were not covered during the session.

8. Subordinate Legislation – SL1s – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee noted the following proposals for Subordinate Legislation not subject to Assembly Proceedings.

  • SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Banbridge) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Banbridge) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Banbridge) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024; and
  • SL1 - The Road Races (Croft Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

9. SL1 - The Green Road, Conlig (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered SL1 - The Green Road, Conlig (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

The following departmental official joined the meeting at 12:36 am.

  • Mr Ronnie Balfour, Head of Transport Legislation, Department for Infrastructure.

Agreed: The Committee noted the policy background for the proposed statutory rule and agreed to write to Ards and North Down Borough Council to establish if there was an awareness of a public petition against the proposed abandonment and to highlight the classification by the Historic Environment Division.

Mr Mark Durkan left the meeting at 12:50 pm.

The departmental official left the meeting at 12:57 pm.

Mr Danny Baker left the meeting at 12:58 pm.

10. Subordinate Legislation – SRs – Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rules that have been laid in the Business Office but are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SR 2024-23 The Waiting Restrictions (Limavady) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-24 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-25 The Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions (Moy) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-26 The Traffic Weight Restriction (Augher) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-27 The Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions (Downpatrick) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-32 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-41 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Enniskillen) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-42 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Coalisland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024;
  • SR 2024-43 The Prohibition of Right-Hand Turn (Portstewart) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024; and
  • SR 2024-44 The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

11. SR2024-22 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered SR 2024-22 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.  

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2024-22 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 and has no objection to the rule.

12. SR2024-33 The Beechfield Drive, Donaghadee (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered the SR 2024-33 The Beechfield Drive, Donaghadee (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.  

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2024-33 The  Beechfield Drive, Donaghadee (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule.

13. SR2024-34 The Carrickmannon Road, Crossgar (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered the SR 2024-34 The Carrickmannon Road, Crossgar (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.  

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2024-34 The Carrickmannon Road, Crossgar (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule.

14. SR2024-35 The Back Street at Botanic Avenue and Donegall Pass, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered the SR 2024-35 The Back Street at Botanic Avenue and Donegall Pass, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.  

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2024-34 The Back Street at Botanic Avenue and Donegall Pass, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule.

15. SR2024-40 The Bayhead Road, Portballintrae (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered the SR 2024-40 Bayhead Road, Portballintrae (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.  

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered the SR 2024-40 Bayhead Road, Portballintrae (Footway) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule.

Agreed: To consider Agenda Items 17 and 18 before Agenda Item 16.

17. Any Other Business.

None.

18. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

Agreed: To move into closed session at 1:04 pm.

16. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the Draft Forward Work Programme.

Mr Keith Buchanan left the meeting at 1:13 pm.

Agreed: To access papers considered by the Committee for Infrastructure during the previous mandate relating to proposals for biennial MOT testing.

Agreed: To update the draft Forward Work Programme to reflect decisions taken today.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:17 pm.

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

20 March 2024