Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 7 May 2025

7 May 2025.pdf (224.08 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

 

Present:

Mrs Deborah Erskine MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

 

Via Video Conference:

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

Mr Mark Durkan MLA

 

In Attendance:

Ms Barbara Love (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Michael Potter (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 10:01 am.

 

1. Apologies

As above.

 

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

 

3. Chairperson's Business

None.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.

 

5. Matters Arising

None.

 

6. Correspondence

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to a Committee request for information on the role of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in delivering towards the Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy.

Agreed: To forward the response to the Committee for The Executive Office for information and to highlight that the Committee is supportive of any initiatives to achieve the goals and aims of the strategy.

Department for Infrastructure update on the Eastern Transport Plan (ETP).

Agreed: To schedule an oral briefing in the Forward Work Programme at a suitable time.

Mr Keith Buchanan joined the meeting at 10:05 am.

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing a response from the Minister of Finance on Northern Ireland Water's financial position.

Agreed: To write to the Committee for Finance to highlight the Committee's ongoing scrutiny of Northern Ireland Water's financial position against the funding received compared to the funding assessed as being required under the determination by the Utility Regulator's for PC21.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to a Committee request relating to bilingual signage at Grand Central Station;
  • Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to a Committee request providing further detail on the ranking of the Department's priorities

and where improvements for rural roads and road safety sit within these priorities;

  • Copy correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure to the Committee for Communities regarding wastewater infrastructure, specifically to help the delivery of social housing in priority areas;
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance providing the Analysis of 2024-25 Outturn and Forecast Outturn; and
    • Department of Finance copy correspondence regarding the Forensic Accountant Investigation into Northern Ireland Water.

 

7. Research and Information Service Briefing - The Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 - An Overview on Progress to date - Oral Evidence

The research officer joined the meeting at 10:06 am:

  • Mark Allen, Research Officer

The evidence session was reported by Hansard.

The researcher provided an overview on progress to date on the implementation of the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.

A question and answer session followed.

The researcher left the meeting at 10:40 am.

Agreed: To write to Northern Ireland Water seeking a response to issues highlighted within the research paper relating to the £6.4 million of funding set aside to improve the reservoirs under its control.

Agreed: To write to DfI seeking further information on:

  • The methodology adopted by the Department when engaging with reservoir owners and whether this engagement included groups that had entered into lease agreements with owners;
  • A map (or maps) indicating the geographical locations of reservoirs identified as defined by the Act and also indicating whether each reservoir is:
    • Under private or public ownership;
    • Accessible to the general public or not;
    • Used for recreational purposes or not;
    • Attributed as low, medium or high consequence;

and to request:

  • Copies of the historical audits undertaken by the Department.

 

8. Update on the Transport Strategy - Department for Infrastructure - Oral Evidence

The Departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:43 am:

  • Sian Kerr - Director of Transport Planning and Policy;
  • James Redmond - Head of Transport Planning & Modelling; and
  • Andrew McGreevy - Transport Planning and Modelling Unit.

The evidence session was reported by Hansard.

The departmental officials provided an update on the Transport Strategy.

A question and answer session followed.

Miss Nicola Brogan left the meeting at 10:56 am.

Mr Peter McReynolds joined the meeting at 11:13 am.

Mr Andrew McMurray declared an interest as his wife does not drive.

The departmental officials left the meeting at 11:43 am.

 

9. 2024-25 Business Update - Driver and Vehicle Agency - Oral Evidence

The departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:44 am:

  • Jeremy Logan - Chief Executive, Driver and Vehicle Agency;
  • Pat Delaney - Director of Operations, Driver and Vehicle Agency; and
  • Jonathan Furphy - Director of Compliance, Enforcement & Licensing, Driver and Vehicle Agency.

The evidence session was reported by Hansard.

The departmental officials provided business update on the Driver and Vehicle Agency's performance against its business plan objectives.

A question and answer session followed.

Mrs Deborah Erskine declared an interest as having a Temporary Exemption Certificate.

The departmental officials left the meeting at 12:03 pm.

The Committee moved into closed session at 12:03 pm.

 

10. Termination of the Vehicle Testing Equipment Contract - Driver and Vehicle Agency - Oral Evidence

The following departmental officials remained for the closed oral evidence session which commenced at 12:03 pm:

  • Jeremy Logan - Chief Executive, Driver and Vehicle Agency;
  • Pat Delaney - Director of Operations, Driver and Vehicle Agency; and

Agreed: That the Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer can remain present for the closed session evidence.

The Chairperson drew members' attention to the confidential nature of some of the papers provided and, in line with the Assembly's Information Assurance procedure, reminded members that confidential information should not be shared in any form.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Mark Durkan left the meeting at 12:48 pm.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 13:01 pm.

Agreed: To write to the Public Accounts Committee to seek its assessment or any concerns it has identified in the course of its work relating to the procurement of goods and or services and the support provided by Construction Procurement Delivery (CPD) or the Strategic Investment Board.

 

Mr Stephen Dunne left the meeting at 13:07 pm.

 

11. Subordinate Legislation - SR's Not subject to Assembly Procedure

The Committee noted the following Statutory Rule that was laid in the Business Office and is not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SR 2025-79 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

 

12. Subordinate Legislation - SL1s Not subject to Assembly Procedure

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

  • SL1 - The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 - The Roads (Speed Limit) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SL1 - The Parking Places on Roads (Coaches) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
  • SL1 - The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

 

13. 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.

 

14. Any Other Business

None.

 

15. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.

 

 

Mrs Deborah Erskine

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

7 May 2025