Committee for Infrastructure

minutes of proceedings 11 March 2026

Committee for Infrastructure minutes of proceedings 11 March 2026.pdf (205.66 kb)

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

Present:                          

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Apologies:                      

None

In Attendance:                

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Ms Aoife Keating-Fitzpatrick (Senior Assistant Clerk)

Mr Philip Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Oliver Briant (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 10:01 am in public session.

 

1. Apologies

As above.

 

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

 

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed Members that he attended an introductory pre-brief with the Minister for Infrastructure in advance of her oral statement on Residents’ Parking Zones on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

The Chairperson highlighted to Members recent media reports relating to the removal of the billboard at the Egyptian Arch, Newry.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

 

5. Matters Arising

The Committee considered an options paper in respect of a proposal to identify distinct areas within the planning system for a potential review.

The Committee noted additional data relating to the Assembly’s Research and Information Service’s briefing on planning applications arising from its meeting on 4 February 2026.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting in-person at 10:12 am.

Agreed: That the Clerk would prepare an updated briefing paper reflecting the Committee’s preferred approach from the options presented.

 

6. Correspondence

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to the Committee’s correspondence requesting an update on considerations for the introduction of prior approval and updated planning guidance.

Agreed: To consider in relation to any Committee review.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA left the meeting at 10:14 am.

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to the Committee’s correspondence on the number of councils with which the Department has an agreed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in respect of Winter Service.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to establish what consideration is being given to entering into a formal MoU with the remaining councils where no formal arrangement exists.

Agreed: To write to the councils that do not currently have a formal MoU with the Department for Infrastructure to encourage their consideration of adopting one to support the effective delivery of winter services.

Correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office requesting an update on issues identified or discussed in relation to the Windsor Framework and wider EU matters.

Agreed  To write to the Department to seek an update on any issues being faced in respect of the Windsor Framework or other EU related matters.

Correspondence from ‘20sPlenty’ requesting to meet the Committee in respect of DfI’s public consultation on the ‘Speed Limit Review 2026’.

Agreed:To write to ‘20’s Plenty’ to request written evidence to inform members’ consideration on the outcome of the consultation once concluded.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA re-joined the meeting at 10:19 am.

Response from Northern Ireland Environment Link to a Committee request for further information following an oral evidence session on the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

Agreed: To add the responses to the Bill folder.

Correspondence from the Institute of Directors (IoD) enclosing its Action Plan “Getting Infrastructure and Investment Back on Track.”

Agreed: To forward a copy of the IoD’s NI Action Plan to the Department and request a response to each of the recommendations contained within it.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the IoD at a suitable date in the Forward Work Programme.

Response from HalfFareUnfair to Committee request for written evidence on the provision of free transport for people with disabilities.

Agreed: To write to the Department to seek a response on the current position for concessionary fares for people living with a disability.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Invitation from the Department for Infrastructure to attend the launch of its new road safety campaigns; and
  • Correspondence from a member of the public in respect of the content of messaging contained on at unauthorised billboard located near the Egyptian Arch, Newry.


7. Budget – 3 Year Budget & Budget Sustainability Plan – Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence

The departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:26 am.

  • Kerry Mack – Deputy Director of Finance, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Jonathan McKee – Acting Deputy Secretary, Water and Departmental Delivery, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Colin Woods – Deputy Secretary, Transport and Road Asset Management, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Alison Clydesdale – Director of Water and Drainage Policy, Department for Infrastructure; and
  • Stuart Gilmore – Head of Translink Sponsor Unit, Department for Infrastructure.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Peter Martin MLA left the meeting at 11:44 am and Mr John Stewart MLA assumed the role of Chairperson.

Mr Peter Martin MLA re-joined the meeting at 11:46 am and resumed the role of Chairperson.

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA left the meeting at 11:54 am.

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA left the meeting at 11:55 am.

The departmental officials left the meeting at 11:56 am.

Agreed: To write DfI seeking further detail on:

  • The total expenditure incurred to date in respect of the A5 Western Transport Corridor upgrade including a disaggregation of expenditure of costs incurred from the vesting of land, contractor costs and legal costs;
  • Its assessment of the ratio of rainwater to sewage contributing to overflows as referenced in the course of the evidence session;
  • An update on the progress of feasibility studies arising from the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review and whether funding opportunities include the securing funding from the private sector.

 

8. Research and Information Service –   Experiences of Managing and Delivering Major Capital Projects in Great Britain and Ireland – Written Briefing

The Committee noted an updated briefing paper from the Assembly’s Research and Information Service paper on ‘Experiences of Managing and Delivering Major Capital Projects in Great Britain and Ireland.’

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA re-joined the meeting at 12:01 pm.

 

9. SL1 – The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA left the meeting at 12:16 pm

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

 

10. SL1 – The Road Races (Cookstown 100 Motor Cycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Cookstown 100 Motor Cycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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


11. SL1 – The Motor Vehicles (Exchangeable Licences) (Amendment)       Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Motor Vehicles (Exchangeable Licences) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

12. SL1 – The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026        – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

13. SL1 –  The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment        No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

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 15 April 2026.

Agreed: To indicate whether they are content that a briefing from officials is not required at this stage.

 

14. SL1 – The Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment)     Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

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 15 April 2026.

Agreed:  That they are content that a briefing from officials is not required at this stage.

 

15. SL1 – The Road Races (Tandragee 100) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026          – Initial Consideration

Mr Maolíosa McHugh re-joined the meeting at 12:23 pm.

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 15 April 2026.

Agreed: That they are content that a briefing from officials is not required at this stage.

 


16. SR 2026-31 The Waiting Restrictions (Coalisland) Order (Northern      Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-31 The Waiting Restrictions (Coalisland) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

17. SR 2026-33 The Waiting Restrictions (Comber) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-33 The Waiting Restrictions (Comber) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

18. 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.

 

18.  Any Other Business

None.

 

19.  Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at 10:00 am in the St. Patrick’s Visitor Centre, Downpatrick.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

18 March 2026