Committee for Infrastructure
Minutes of proceedings 19 March 2025
Committee for Infrastructure minutes of proceedings 19 March 2025.pdf (192.72 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA (Chairperson)
Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Mr Andrew McMurray MLA
Mr Peter McReynolds MLA
Apologies: None
Via Video Conference:
Ms Nicola Brogan MLA
Mr Mark Durkan MLA
In Attendance:
Ms Barbara Love (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Oliver Briant (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced in public session at 10:03 am.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reminded members of the Committee’s previous decision to meet informally with representatives from Logistics UK but, due to the Committee’s work programme, the dates proposed were not suitable.
Agreed: That Committee staff engage with Logistics UK to identify some alternative dates with a view to scheduling an informal meeting prior to the Easter recess.
The Chairperson informed members that, following resumption of business in the last mandate, the Executive agreed to undertake a review of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) in accordance with the commitments made in the New Decade New Approach Agreement.
Members noted that, as part of this process, departments were to undertake reviews of their relevant ALBs and to bring any significant recommendations for reform to the wider Executive for agreement.
Agreed: To write to DfI to seek an update on its approach to its review of ALBs and to seek copies of any review reports that have been completed to date.
The Chairperson drew to members’ attention an invitation from the Clean Water Sports Alliance to its forthcoming event to highlight water quality issues and its impact on water sports.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it is content for the Chairperson to attend the event on its behalf and noted that the invitation was extended to all Committee members should they wish to attend.
The Chairperson highlighted that, following the events surrounding St Patricks Day, she was concerned by the continuing lack of provision for public transport particularly around regular annual events and the potentially detrimental impact on the night time economy.
Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to seek an update on its consideration of the business case submitted by Translink for a night-movers service.
Agreed: To write to Belfast City Council to establish what initiatives or engagement it undertakes with key stakeholders to facilitate and support the provision of transport for attendees of events in supporting the night-time economy.
The Chairperson highlighted issues surrounding the safety of children and young people on school bus routes.
Agreed: To write to the Minister to establish the scope of options that could be implemented to further safeguard children when embarking or disembarking school buses including designated school only pick up and drop of points.
Agreed: To write both to Translink and the Education Authority in similar terms to establish what initiatives are under consideration to safeguard children embarking or disembarking school buses.
4. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
5. Matters Arising
None.
6. Correspondence
Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence on its request for quarterly written sickness absence updates for each its divisions.
Agreed: To write to DoF requesting quarterly written updates.
Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence on engagement with Northern Ireland Water on proposals for developer contributions and RRI borrowing;
Agreed: To write to Northern Ireland Water to clarify whether the dates highlighted within the Department’s response align with its understanding.
Correspondence from the Committee for Finance including the Final Budget 2025-2026 proposals.
Agreed: To write to the Committee for Finance requesting that any information received relating to the Department for Infrastructure be shared with the Committee.
Correspondence from a member of the public and Friends of the Earth requesting a copy of data on announced and unannounced water sample testing as referenced by Northern Ireland Water in the course of its oral evidence on 5 March 2025.
Agreed: To write to Northern Ireland Water to seek further detail of the locations and nature of the 8 cases of enforcement action currently being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency as referenced during the oral evidence on 5 March.
Agreed: That Committee staff will engage with both correspondents to highlight that the Committee will consider their request upon receipt of the information sought from Northern Ireland Water.
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Copies of correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure outlining her intention to make an oral statement on North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Transport Sectoral Meeting and the enclosed statement;
- Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence in respect of the number and cost of claims for damages submitted to the Driver Vehicle Agency and the number of cases progressed through courts;
- Copy of the Department for Infrastructure’s report on Phase 1 of the Community Transport Review;
- Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing an update on current Ukranian Driver Licensing and consultation for a further extension to the validity;
- Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing a copy of the Construction Employers Federation’s response to the consultation on the draft Budget 2025-2026; and
7. Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963 - Model License Conditions - Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence
The following officials joined the meeting at 10:22 am:
- Mrs Rosemary Daly, Director of Regional Planning, Governance and Legislation, Department for Infrastructure;
- Mr Scott Symington, Senior Principal, Regional Planning, Governance and Legislation, Department for Infrastructure; and
- Mr David Doherty, Senior Principal, Regional Planning, Governance and Legislation, Department for Infrastructure.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials provided the Committee with an update on the Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963 - Model License Conditions.
A question and answer session followed.
The officials left the meeting at 11:03 am.
Agreed: To write to each council to seek detail of how they have regard to licence conditions on sites it owns or operates and measures it undertakes to manage campervans using council owned operated car parks.
Agreed: To write to the Caravan Club to seek its assessment or examples of disparities in the management of privately owned compared to council owned and operated holiday/caravan sites due to the exemption from licence conditions for councils.
8. Subordinate Legislation – SR’s 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:
- SR 2025-48 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
- SR 2025-51 The Traffic Weight Restriction (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
- SR 2025-54 The Road Races (Tour of the Sperrins) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025
9. 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.
10. Any Other Business
None.
11. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure
26 March 2025
