Committee for Infrastructure

MInutes of proceedings 18 February 2026

Committee for Infrastructure minutes of proceedings 18 February 2026.pdf (198.64 kb)

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

Present:                          

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Via Videoconferencing:  

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

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 10:03 am in public session.

 

1. Apologies

As above.

 

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA joined the meeting at 10:07 am.


3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson sought members views on the potential for a joint concurrent meeting with the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (CAERA) on the role of Northern Ireland Water in relation to the Lough Neagh Action Plan.

Agreed: That the Clerk will liaise with CAERA to explore proposed dates for consideration.


4. Draft Minutes

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


5. Matters Arising

The Committee considered the issues arising in the course of the oral evidence as part of its ongoing scrutiny of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill from Northern Ireland Environment Link, Northern Ireland Marine Taskforce, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Woodland Trust.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure requesting a written response on each of the issues raised during the evidence session.


6. Correspondence

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence regarding the Egyptian Arch billboard, Newry.

Agreed: That Committee staff will circulate the relevant previous responses received from the Minister for Infrastructure to the issues discussed.

Peter McReynolds MLA left the meeting at 10:32 am.

Correspondence from Mr Peter Martin MLA enclosing a presentation from South Antrim Community Transport regarding challenges facing the sector in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking an update on the current phases of the review of Community Transport including reform of driver licencing requirements operating in the sector.

Correspondence from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) regarding motorcycling’s place within the national transport strategy.

Agreed: To forward correspondence and related article to the Department for information.

Peter McReynolds MLA rejoined the meeting at 10:35 am.

Justin McNulty MLA left the meeting at 10:40 am.

Copy of the Motor Insurance Tracker from the Association of British Insurers.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking its assessment of the totality of the claims submitted, by value, as a result of compensation claims for damage to vehicles caused by defects in roads.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence seeking an update on the outcome of the assessment of existing legislation in respect of medical fitness to drive;
    • Department for Infrastructure correspondence enclosing information relating to the publication of the Living with Water in Derry/Londonderry Plan in January 2026;
    • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance in respect of clause seventeen of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill;
    • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding the Review of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs);
    • Construction Employers Federation response to the Committee’s correspondence regarding wastewater constraints and its effect on the housing market.
    • Invitation from Westminster Forum Projects to Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum policy conference - Priorities for climate adaptation and resilience for UK Infrastructure; and
    • Invitation from Westminster Forum Projects to Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum policy conference - Next steps for Britain’s rail network.


7. Active Travel Delivery Plan – Cycling UK – Oral Evidence

The representatives joined the meeting at 10:42 am.

  • Mr Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns, Cycling UK; and
  • Mr Andrew McClean, Northern Ireland Advocacy Lead, Cycling UK.

Justin McNulty MLA rejoined the meeting at 10:46 am.

The Chairperson left the meeting at 11:25 am and Mr John Stewart MLA assumed the role of chairperson.

The Chairperson rejoined the meeting at 11:37 am and resumed the role of chairperson.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

The representatives left the meeting at 11:54 am.

The Committee suspended at 11:54 pm.

The Committee recommenced at 12:01 pm with following members present:

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr Maoliosa McHugh MLA

 

8. Active Travel Delivery Plan – Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence

The following departmental officials joined the meeting at 12:01 pm.

  • Mr Peter McParland, Deputy Director for Active Travel, Department for Infrastructure; and
  • Ms Joanne Veighey, Programme Management Office for Active Travel, Department for Infrastructure

Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting at 12:08 pm.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 12:55 pm.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking consideration of a chair or champion for Active Travel.


9. Draft Budget 2026-2030 – Consideration of Written Evidence

The Committee considered responses from the Department for Infrastructure, Translink, Northern Ireland Water and Waterways Ireland regarding the Draft Budget 2026-30.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking its assessment of:

  • what programmes will be supported arising from its capital allocation and further detail of the difficult decisions will be required as referenced in the response under the proposed allocations in Department of Finance’s Draft Budget; and
  • the sustainability of Translink’s cash reserves and what action it intends to take to ensure that they are put on a more sustainable footing.

Agreed:  To write to Northern Ireland Water to assess its availability for an oral evidence session on the Draft Budget 2026-30.

 

10. SL1 - The On-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 - The On-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

11. SL1 - The Glencairn Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 - The Glencairn Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

12. SL1 - The Prohibition of U-Turns (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 - The Prohibition of U-Turns (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

13. SL1 - The St Andrews Square West, Belfast (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 - The St Andrews Square West, Belfast (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

14.  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.

 

16. Any Other Business

None.

 

17. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 13:18 pm.

 

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

25 February 2026