Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings 4 June 2025

Committee for Infrastructure, minutes of proceedings 4 June 2025.pdf (210.82 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast

Present:                               

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Via Video Conferencing: 

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

Apologies:                           

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 

In Attendance:                   

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Philip Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Oliver Briant (Clerical Officer)

 

The meeting commenced in public session at 10:02 am.


1.            Apologies

As above.


2.            Declaration of Interests

Mrs Deborah Erskine declared an interest stating that her husband has family members who are land owners along the A5 route.


3.            Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson reflected on the recent concurrent meeting with the Committee for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs on the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Agreed:         To write to the Minister for Infrastructure seeking:

  • Details of the work undertaken by the Department to identify the location of farms containing buildings on land that is subject to the vesting process as part of the A5 Western Transport Corridor;
  • Her assessment of the farms that may or will be required to change their operations as a result of vesting orders and the subsequent loss of agricultural buildings;
  • What consideration can or will be afforded to landowners seeking to replace buildings lost through vesting orders on remaining agricultural land as part of planning considerations to provide additional certainty over the upgrade project;
  • An overview of the joint engagement undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on the ground to provide support to those landowners impacted by the vesting of their land including the advice offered and by whom when liaising;
  • An overview of the engagement undertaken by DfI to highlight the impacts upon those subject to the vesting of their land how it is encouraging DAERA to consider supportive policy initiatives to lessen the burden upon those impacted; and
  • To highlight concerns raised in the course of the concurrent meeting of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Committee for Infrastructure around the apparent lack of communication with those who are affected.

The Chairperson drew to members’ attention a recent news article in which it highlighted the condition of the Barmouth located between Portstewart and Castlerock beaches and the potential risk of collapse and associated economic and ecological impacts.

Agreed:         To write to DfI to examine what engagement it has undertaken in respect of the issue and to ascertain what plans it has put in place to support the collapse of the Barmouth in Castlerock/Portstewart given the presence of key infrastructure in the vicinity.


4.            Draft Minutes

Agreed:         The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 4 June 2025.

 

5.            Matters Arising

None.


6.            Correspondence

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence requesting detail on the Department intends to engage with stakeholders on Hill Street Pedestrianisation, and how this work will be progressed.

Agreed:         To write to DfI to request:

  • a list of the stakeholders that the Department will be consulting with;
  • an update of the its discussions and associated outputs relating to the Hill Street and Gordon Street improvements; and
  • its assessment of the forecast costs for completing this work.

Notification from DfI on the consultation on policy proposals which could potentially be included in a Rail and Transport Bill.

Agreed:         To note and schedule an evidence session in the forward work programme in advance of the publication of the consultation.

Response from the Minister for Education to Committee correspondence regarding the safety of school children when travelling on buses.

Agreed:         To write to the Minister for Infrastructure to highlight the Committee’s previous work in highlighting the issue of safety of school children and, in noting her intention to develop legislation in this area, to seek further detail of the associated anticipated timescales of legislative changes.

Response from the Department of Finance to Committee correspondence regarding compensation payment for historical road projects.

Agreed:         To write to Land and Property Services seeking further detail of the differential of the average amounts claimed against what was paid for each of the upgrade projects.

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance providing further information on the Analysis of 2024-25 Outturn and Forecast Outturn.

Agreed:         To write to DfI to seek clarity on the impact of the forecast underspend of £4.1 million due to lower than anticipated depreciation of the road network and confirmation of whether this could have been utilised on other spending areas.

Press Release from the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland: “Road Conditions set to get worse, and it’s already bad”.

Agreed:         To write to the Minister to seek a response to the issues raised in the press release and to establish whether proposed funding allocations are being reviewed in advance of the conclusion of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on 5 June.

Correspondence from a member of the public citing concerns regarding the number of road traffic accidents at the Ballymiscaw/Winney Hill road junctions.

Agreed:         To forward a copy of the correspondence to the Minister for Infrastructure to seek her assessment of the issue and the rationale for not seeking to address the safety concerns highlighted.

Agreed:         To agree to write to the individual informing them that the correspondence has been forwarded to the Minister for comment.

Request from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to provide evidence to the Committee on research into Central Government Policy And Financial Support.

Agreed:         To write to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to request, in the first instance, written evidence on the issues it wishes to discuss along with a copy of the research as referenced to allow the Committee to consider their request in greater detail.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure providing further detail on the Round Table Event on 2nd April, entitled ‘Plan to Improve - Pathway to Progress’;
  • Department for Infrastructure – Investing Activity Report – May 2025;
  • Report from The Executive Office reviewing and reporting on the operations of the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (NI) 2022 (“the Act”);
  • Response from Causeway Coast and Glens Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Belfast City Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Newry, Mourne & Down District Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Derry City & Strabane District Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Mid-Ulster District Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;
  • Response from Mid & East Antrim Borough Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils; and
  • Response from Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council to Committee correspondence regarding Model License Conditions for Caravans from Councils;


7.           SL1 - The Climate Change, Road Traffic, The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025

The Committee considered SL1 - The Climate Change, Road Traffic, The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025.

Agreed:         To write to DfI seeking further detail on what impact, if any, this may have on targets in Northern Ireland.

Agreed:         The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.


8.           SL1 - The Belsize Gardens and Belsize Way, Lisburn (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Mr Andrew McMurray left the meeting at 10:45 am.

The Committee considered SL1 - The Belsize Gardens and Belsize Way, Lisburn (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Agreed:         The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.

 

9.           Subordinate Legislation – SRs Not Subject to Assembly Procedure

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rules that were laid in the Business Office and are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

Mr Andrew McMurray rejoined the meeting at 10:47 am.

  • SR 2025-97 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025
  • SR 2025-98 The Waiting Restrictions (Castlerock) Order (Northern Ireland); and
  • SR 2025-99 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.


10. Subordinate Legislation – SL1s Not subject to Assembly Procedure

The Committee noted the following proposals for a Statutory Rules, which are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SL1 The Road Races (Garron Point Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 The Road Races (Ulster Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 - The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 - The Loading Bays on Roads Order (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
  • SL1 - The Road Races (Bushwhacker Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.


11.         Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed:         To proceed with the scheduled evidence as set out in the draft Forward Work Programme and to reflect to any changes agreed in the course of the meeting.


12.         Any Other Business

None.

 

13.         Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Committee entered into closed session at 10:58 am.


14.        SL1s – Further Implementation of the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 – Oral Evidence (Closed Session)

The Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:58 am:

  • Jonathan McKee – Director of Rivers Development;
  • Gary Quinn – Director of Rivers Operations;
  • Niall McKenna – Rivers Development; and
  • David Courtney – Reservoir Operations & Engagement Team.

The Committee noted that hard copies containing supporting information to issues relevant to the session were provided in hard copy prior to the commencement of the session.

The officials provided evidence on the Further Implementation of the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.

The Committee suspended at 11:27 am to allow members to consider the previously unseen supporting papers as presented by departmental officials.

The Committee recommenced in public session at 12:00 pm with the following members present:

Present:                               

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Via Video Conference:    

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

 

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Peter McReynolds left the meeting at 12:27 pm

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 12:50 pm.

Agreed:         To write to DfI highlighting that in the course of the evidence in closed session, officials undertook to provide:

  • A copy of the ‘National Protocol for the Handling, Transmission and Storage of Reservoir Information and Flood Maps’;
  • A summary of the supporting papers marked ‘Official: Sensitive’ contained within the hard copy lever-arch files that were retained by DfI officials following the oral evidence; and
  • A copy of the sample letter issued to land/reservoirs owners reminding them of their common law obligations in the absence of the implementation of provisions under the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;

The meeting adjourned at 12:53 pm.

 

Mrs Deborah Erskine

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure 

11 June 2025