Committee for Infrastructure

minutes of proceedings 01 October 2025

Minutes of 1 October 2025.pdf (224.97 kb)

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

Present:                          

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA                        

Apologies: Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

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

Mr Stephen Dunne joined the meeting at 10:04 am.

Mr Peter Martin and Mr Cathal Boylan both declared an interest as having family members employed by the Roads Service in the Department for Infrastructure.


3.             Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed members of his intention to attend an introductory meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure on 13 October 2025.

The Committee noted the recent publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Active Travel in Northern Ireland.

Mr Cathal Boylan and Mr Stephen Dunne both declared an interest as members of the Public Accounts Committee.

Agreed:        Given the primacy of reports by the Northern Ireland Audit Office, that the Clerkliaises with the Public Accounts Committee to establish whether it intends to undertake an examination of the findings in the report.

The Chairperson raised the issue of car parking charges and sought members’ views on his suggested approach to commission research to examine the issue.

Agreed:        To commission research on the arrangements for parking enforcement and comparative regulatory regimes on public and privately owned sites in Great Britain compared to those operating in Northern Ireland.


4.             Draft Minutes

Agreed:        The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025.


5.             Matters Arising

The Committee noted that the Committee for Finance was considering provisions under the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill and, following its correspondence, was seeking the views of the Committee for Infrastructure.

Agreed:        That the Clerk engages with the Clerk to the Committee for Finance once the Examiner of Statutory Rules has considered the delegated powers within the Bill.


6.             Correspondence   

Correspondence from the Public Accounts Committee relating to the retention of Primacy on Major Capital Projects including the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Agreed:       That the Clerk to co-ordinate with the Clerk to the Public Accounts Committee on matters relating to the A5 to avoid duplication.

Agreed:       To write to the Public Accounts Committee to inform it of the interest of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Correspondence from DfI providing a copy of the Driver & Vehicle Agency’s Business Plan for 2025-2026;
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance providing the current fiscal and budget context; and
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance providing the 2025-2026 Public Expenditure Outturn and Forecast Outturn information.


7.          Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill – Consideration of Committee Approach

The Committee considered its approach to the scrutiny of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

Agreed:      The Committee agreed to the proposed approach.

Agreed:      The Committee agreed the draft timetable.

Agreed:      The Committee agreed the wording of the motion to extend the period of consideration to 3 July 2026 for laying in the Business Office.

Agreed:      The Committee agreed a draft stakeholder list.

Agreed:      The Committee agreed the draft public notice and content for its ‘Call for Evidence’ that will be published on Committee’s webpage.


8.             Review of Prioritisation of Major Road Projects – Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence

The following Department officials joined the meeting at 10:25 am.

  • Mr Colin Woods, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Road Asset Management, Department for Infrastructure; and
    • Mr Johnathan Saulters – Director of Major Projects, Department for Infrastructure.

The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

The witnesses provided the Committee with an introductory briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

The Department officials joined the meeting at 11:16 am.

Agreed:        To schedule an oral evidence session in the Forward Work Programme following the conclusion of the appeal on the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Agreed:        To write to the Minister for Infrastructure to explore her availability to provide oral evidence on relevant matters of interest to the Committee prior to the planned evidence in February 2026.

Mr Justin McNulty left the meeting at 11:26 am.

Agreed:        To write to DfI seeking further detail on the amount of active travel funding that has been spent on footpaths and whether there will be further consideration to what is determined to qualify as active travel spending.


9.             Planning and Flood Risk – Follow-Up Information – Assembly Research and Information Service – Written Briefing

The Committee considered a follow-up paper from Assembly Research and Information Service on Planning and Flood Risk.

Mr Justin McNulty re-joined the meeting at 11:28 am.

Mr Cathal Boylan left the meeting at 11:28 am.

Mr Peter McReynolds left the meeting at 11:29 am.

Agreed:        To forward the research paper to the Department for Infrastructure and to seek assessment of the causes of flood plain outline increases as set out in the paper.


10.         Review of Planning Fees – Department for Infrastructure – Public Consultation

The Committee noted the Department’s public consultation on the Review of Planning Fees.

Agreed:        To schedule oral evidence in the Forward Work Programme from departmental officials once the consultation has closed and responses have been analysed.


11.         SL1 - The U5390 Church Hill, Jonesborough (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

The Committee considered the SL1 - The U5390 Church Hill, Jonesborough (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

Mr McNulty highlighted some concerns relating to the proposal for the statutory rule and the impact that the abandonment may have on the structural integrity of properties within the proximity of the area proposed.

Agreed:        To write to the Department to seek further detail on what engagement, if any, it has had with local residents and comment on any concerns highlighted.

Mr Justin McNulty left the meeting at 11:35 am.


12.          Subordinate Legislation – SRs Not Subject to Assembly Procedure

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

  • SR 2025-152 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order 2025;
  • SR 2025-153 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
  • SR 2025-157 the Roads (Speed Limit) (No.3) 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 during the meeting.


14.          Any Other Business

None.


15.          Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:39 am.

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

8 October 2025