Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 6 May 2026

Committee for Infrastructure - 6 May 2026.pdf (209.61 kb)

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

Present:

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Apologies:

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

In Attendance:

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Ms Aoife Keating-Fitzpatrick (Senior Assistant Clerk)

Mr Philip Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk) (Via Video Conferencing)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Oliver Briant (Clerical Officer)

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

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson drew to Members’ attention the recent departmental press release highlighting the Minister for Infrastructure’s recognition of the work undertaken by her Department’s staff to repair in excess of 10,000 road defects.

The Chairperson further highlighted a recent article in the Irish News which suggests that, despite the marked increase in funding allocated for road maintenance, it represents a reduction in efficiency for this financial year.

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA joined the meeting at 10:10 am.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting at 10:11 am.

Agreed: To write to the Department to seek a response on:

the issues highlighted in the Irish News article;
its assessment of the extent of roads that will be repaired by the Department prior to the winter period;
a breakdown of the £40 million expenditure following the reprofiling of resources.

The Chairperson reflected on the recent stakeholder event as part of its planning review which focusses on issues relation regionally significant developments and legal challenges.

The Chairperson expressed his thanks on the Commmittee’s behalf to the stakeholders who attended the event and for their contributions.

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

5. Matters Arising

The Committee considered a summary of issues following the evidence from departmental officials on the recent consultation which sought views on a proposed grant scheme for inspection and supervision costs arising from a number of proposals for Statutory Rules that seek to further implement provisions under the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.

Agreed: That the Clerk would provide the Committee with the overview of the number of reservoirs that are considered to be low, medium and high risk.

6. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding a call for evidence on the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

Agreed: To write to the Committee for Finance to state the Committee does not have a view on the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

Correspondence from Mr Jim Shannon MP regarding access to connections to wastewater infrastructure.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking a response to the issues raised in the correspondence and to seek its assessment of the number of businesses in Northern Ireland which are unable to connect to the wastewater system under similar circumstances.

Report from the Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) arising from its survey of Blue Badge use in Belfast City Centre.

Agreed: To write to the Department to ascertain what consideration it has given to include Blue Badge parking in the Eastern Transport Plan.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

Correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure confirming the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (Translink);
Correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure enclosing an update to MLAs of the changes as proposed to introduce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL);
ISNI Investing Activity Report – April 2026;
Office of Environmental Protection Report on the Review of implementation of the Nutrient Action Programme Regulations (2019) in Northern Ireland;
Correspondence from IMTAC setting out its support to a petition advocating for free travel for those living with a disability;
Correspondence from Belmont Planning requesting to join the Planning Review Stakeholder event;
An invitation from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust their Active Travel Challenge event;
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission E-Newsletter for April 2026; and
Correspondence from the House of Lords regarding the simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles.

7. SL1 - The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Down Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: To note receipt of the SL1 and the proposed Statutory Rule, which will be published as part of the call for views.

Agreed: That the SL1 will be considered at the meeting on 3 June 2026.