Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 21 February 2024

Committee for Infrastructure - Minutes of Proceedings 21 February 2024.pdf (184.07 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA(Chairperson)

Mr Danny Baker MLA

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Patrick Brown MLA

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Apologies:

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Philip Pateman (Assembly Clerk)

Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr William Kinnear (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Ryan Feeney (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 10:00 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.

No interests were declared.

3. Chairpersons Business

None.

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 14 February 2024.

5. Matters Arising

The Committee considered and discussed issues first raised at its meeting on 14 February 2024 on possible areas of collaboration with other jurisdictions on matters of mutual interest.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write an introductory letter to the Department of Transport in the United Kingdom to ascertain the scope for future collaboration and to seek further detail on any next steps arising from the Union Connectivity Report and relevant areas of mutual concern.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write an introductory letter to the Department of Transport in the Republic of Ireland to ascertain the scope for collaboration on any planned or aspired future cross border projects including North/South connectivity, all island rail and climate related matters of mutual interest.

6. Correspondence

Agreed: The Committee agreed that, due a number of common themes within the correspondence, planning matters, renewables and issues relating to the taxi industry are to be prioritised when scheduling items in its forward work programme.

Request from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session from in the Forward Work Programme for a later date.

Request from Renewables NI to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session in the Forward Work Programme for a later date.

Request from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session in the Forward Work Programme for a later date.

Request from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session in the Forward Work Programme for a later date.

Oral statement from the Minister for Infrastructure on the provision of additional investment to address the issue of potholes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the oral statement.

Request from Translink to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session in the forward work programme.

Request from Brown/O’Connor Communications on behalf of Belfast City Airport to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session from in the Forward Work Programme.

Request from the National Trust to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule an evidence session from in the Forward Work Programme.

Request from the representatives of the taxi industry to brief the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting further detail on timescale and proposed legislative changes as referred to in the correspondence and to seek the Department’s assessment on the impact on the sector.

Agreed: The Committee agreed schedule an evidence session in the Forward Work Programme for a later date.

Written statement from the Minister of Finance on Public Expenditure 2023-2024 Final Plan.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the statement.

7. Evidence Session - Northern Ireland Water - Overview of the role and functions of Northern Ireland Water, including Annual Report, Accounts and Business Plan

The representatives joined the meeting at 10:13 am.

• Dr Sara Venning, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Water;
• Mr Ronan Larkin, Director of Finance and Regulation, Northern Ireland Water; and
• Mr Anthony Lynn, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Northern Ireland Water.

The representatives provided the Committee with an oral briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information on the service level agreements relating to wastewater impact assessments and for pre-development inquiries and Northern Ireland Water’s performance against them.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to seek current and historical data by constituency setting out the number of dispensations granted by the agency to Northern Ireland Water.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider details of Northern Ireland Water’s draft bid for funding under the PEACEPLUS programme.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their evidence.

The representatives left the meeting at 11:38 am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Northern Ireland Water its assessment of the impact on losing expertise within the sector to other jurisdictions because of uncertainty of financial resource for planned works.

8. Written Briefing - Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs Manager - EU Exit, Windsor Framework & Protocol Issues

The Committee considered a written briefing from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs Manager on EU Exit, Windsor Framework & Protocol Issues.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the briefing and write to the Department to request clarity on issues raised in the paper on the Specialised Committees in relation to Air Transport, Aviation Safety and Road Transport.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request copies of the reviews of the Hazardous Substances Common Framework.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting summaries of the meetings of the Interministerial Group for Transport Matters.

9. SL1 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

The Committee considered the SL1 - The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.   

This statutory rule introduces new provisions to the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland)

Order 1981. The effect of the amendment will extend the period of time that a

Ukrainian driver can drive on their existing licence from the current 12-month period

to 3 years (36 months). This matches the period granted under the Ukraine visa

schemes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the rule.

10. Subordinate Legislation - SL1s - Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee considered the following Subordinate Legislation not subject to Assembly Proceedings.

• SL1 - The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment) Order
• (Northern Ireland) 2024
• SL1 - The Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions (Downpatrick) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
• SL1 - The Waiting Restrictions (Limavady) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
• SL1 - The Traffic Weight Restriction (Augher) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department seeking further detail  on the application of traffic weight restriction orders to ascertain if they are typically for a defined period and what vehicles are excepted under certain circumstances where specified.

• SL1 - The Parking Places and Waiting Restrictions (Moy) (Amendment) Order

(Northern Ireland) 2024

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to make the rules.

11. Subordinate Legislation - SRs - Not Subject to Assembly Proceedings

The Committee considered the following Statutory Rules that are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

• SR 2022-112 The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-114 The Road Races (Croft Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-118 The Road Races (Cookstown 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022 -119 The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-138 The Road Races (Tyrone Stages Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-139 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-140 The Road Races (Drumhorc Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-141 The Road Races (Maiden City Stages Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-150 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-152The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-185 The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-186 The Road Races (Garron Point Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-187 The Road Races (Eagles Rock Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-188 The Road Races (Mid-Antrim 150) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-189 The Road Races (Knockagh Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-190 The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-198 The Road Races (Ulster Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-206 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-207 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Crumlin) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-246 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-247 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-249 The Waiting Restrictions (Gulladuff) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 SR 2022-250 The Taxis (Ballymena) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-251 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballymena) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-257 The Parking Places on Roads (Electric Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-258 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Magherafelt) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-259 The Waiting Restrictions (Clogher) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-260 The Parking Places on Roads (Electric Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-262 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Dungannon) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-264 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Larne) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-265 The Private Access on the A6 ToomeBy-Pass (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-266 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballycastle) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-267 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-268 The Loading Bays and Parking Places on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-269 The Waiting Restrictions (Glenarm) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-270 The Prohibition of Waiting (Schools) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-271 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Newry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-277 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Lisburn) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-278 The Bus Lanes (Ballygowan Road and Castlereagh Road Corridor, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-279 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-281 The Prohibition of Traffic (UnionStreet, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-283 The Prohibition of Traffic (Brunswick Street, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2022-284 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2023-21 The On-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-38 The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-47 The Road Races (Croft Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-60 The Road Races (Cookstown 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-61 The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-65 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023  
• SR 2023-66 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-69 The Road Races (Drumhorc Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-73 The Road Races (Tour of the Sperrins Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-75 The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-76 The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-77 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-82 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-83 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-84 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-88 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-92 The Waiting Restrictions (Bellaghy) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-94 The Road Races (Loughgall Stages Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-101 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-102 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Moy) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-103 The Parking Places on Roads Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Newcastle) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-108 The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-109 The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-110 The Road Races (Garron Point Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-115 The Parking Places on Roads (Motor Cycles) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-116 The Road Races (Ulster Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2022 -119 The Road Races (Circuit of Ireland Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022
• SR 2023-120 The Road Races (Knockagh Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-121 The Road Races (Bushwhacker Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-152 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Larne) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-154 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-160 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-161 The Waiting Restrictions (Islandmagee) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-171 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-172 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 7) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-173 The Footways (Prohibition of Waiting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-176 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Magherafelt)(Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-186 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-187 The Parking Places Loading Bays Waiting Restrictions and Urban Clearways (Enniskillen) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR2023-196 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Carrickfergus) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-201 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Cookstown) (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-202 The Prohibition of U Turns (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-204 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-205 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons Vehicles) (Amendment No.8) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-206 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.9) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-207 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Portadown) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-208 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Dungannon) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-214 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Londonderry) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-215 The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2023-216 The Prohibition of Traffic (Lay-by on Glenshane Road Route A6, Maghera) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• SR 2024-004 The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 902
• SR 2024-009 The Parking Places on Roads and Waiting Restrictions (Dungannon) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
• SR 2024-010 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
• SR 2024-011 The Roads (Speed Limit) (No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the Statutory Rules

12. Forward Work Programme.

The Committee considered the Draft Forward Work Programme.

Following the recent progression of the Budget Bill, the Chairperson sought members’ views on whether to seek an earlier session covering the Department’s financial position for the remainder of 2023-45 and for the 2024-25 financial years.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule evidence from the Department for Infrastructure to set out its financial position for the remainder of this financial year and into the 2024-25 financial year.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to update the Draft Forward Work Programme with the agreed recess dates, to reflect any decisions taken and to schedule the evidence as listed.

13. Any Other Business.

Mr Buchanan highlighted reports within the media relating to indications of industrial action by Translink.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to express its concern over the potential for disruption arising from any industrial action and to seek an urgent response setting out what role, if any, he has in relation to any engagement or negotiations.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the scope for a potential meeting with affected stakeholder groups upon receipt of a response from the Minister.

14. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:04 pm.

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

28 February 2024