Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 22 October 2025

Committee for Infrastructure - 22 October 2025.pdf (193.73 kb)

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

 

Present:

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

 

Via Video Conferencing:

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

In noting the apologies, the Chairperson welcomed the news of the birth of Mr McReynolds's son.

Agreed: o send a card along with the Committee's best wishes to Mr McReynolds and his wife.

 

2. Declaration of Interests

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

 

3. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson highlighted the recent weather conditions and heavy rainfall over the previous weekend and noted their increasing frequency.

The Committee put on record its gratitude for the work of local agencies and services in coordinating their response to support those affected.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.

 

5. Matters Arising

None.

 

6. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Construction Employers Federation providing a position paper on the Northern Ireland Wastewater Crisis.

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

Agreed: To receive oral evidence at a suitable date in the Forward Work Programme.

Correspondence from Cycling UK to Committee correspondence requesting further information on concerns regarding the Active Travel Budget.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence with departmental officials on the content of Northern Ireland Audit Office report 'Active Travel in Northern Ireland' at a suitable date in the Forward Work Programme.

Correspondence from a member of the public regarding the Strangford Lough Ferry Service.

Agreed: Towrite to the individual to advise that the Committee does not usually deal with individual cases and to suggest engaging with his local MLAs.

Invitation from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust to an event in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 12 November 2025.

Agreed: Given that the event coincides with the Committee's normal meeting , it was agreed to suspend its meeting for a short period to enable members to attend.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Copy correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure to the Committee for Communities on the Disability And Work Strategy;
  • Copy of the Ards & North Down Borough Council Report 2024-2025 from the Department for Infrastructure;
  • Response from the Public Accounts Committee providing confirmation of its continued interest in the A5 project;
  • Correspondence from the Assembly, Executive and Review Committee regarding engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies;
  • Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland briefing paper and presentation on climate change adaption in Northern Ireland;
  • Correspondence from a number of individuals relating to responsibility for post-19 Special Education Need provision and associated concerns; and
  • Copy of correspondence between an individual and the Consumer Council regarding an ongoing complaint with Translink.

 

7. Performance update - Driver and Vehicle Agency

The following representatives joined the meeting at 11:54 am:

  • Jeremy Logan - Chief Executive, Driver and Vehicle Agency;
  • Pat Delaney - Director of Operations, Driver and Vehicle Agency; and
  • Siobhan Lynn - Director of Financial Management & Corporate Services, Driver and Vehicle Agency.

The evidence session was reported by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

The representatives left the meeting at 11:09 am.

Agreed: To write to the Driver and Vehicle Agency to seek details on:

  • The guidance issued by the Agency when notifying members of the public that an MOT Test is due;
  • A summary of issues raised by the Agency in response to the Department's consultation on biennial vehicle testing; and
  • A summary of the number and type of taxi licences it has issued over the last five years.

The Committee agreed to move to agenda item 9.

 

9. 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.

Agreed: To explore the scope for a Committee visit to the Driver and Vehicle Agency's new MOT Test Centre at Hydebank prior to it becoming fully operational.

 

10. Any Other Business

None.

 

11. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

 

Mr Cathal Boylan left the meeting at 11:13 am.

The Committee moved to closed session at 11:14 am.

 

12. Assembly Legal Services - Committee engagement on the A5 Western Transport Corridor in the context of a live appeal to the High Court judgement of 23 June 2025

The following Assembly official joined the meeting at 11:15 am:

  • Caroline Byers, Legal Adviser, Northern Ireland Assembly Legal Services.

Mr Cathal Boylan rejoined the meeting at 11:17 am.

The adviser provided an overview of the legal advice within the parameters of the Committee's request.

A question and answer session followed.

The legal adviser left the meeting at 11:51 am.

The Committee suspended at 11:54 am.

The Committee recommenced at 11:59 am with the following members present:

  • Present: Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)
  • Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
  • Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
  • Mr Harry Harvey MLA
  • Mr Andrew McMurray MLA
  • Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

  • Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

The Committee agreed to move to agenda item 8.

 

8. Environmental Scan of the Department - Assembly Research and Information Service - Oral Briefing

The following Assembly officials joined the meeting at 11:59 am.

  • Ms Suzie Cave, Research Officer, Assembly Research and Information Service; and
  • Mr Des McKibbin, Research Officer, Assembly Research and Information Service.

The researchers set out the findings of the research and relevant issues that fall within the Department's remit.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Harry Harvey left the meeting at 12:28 pm.

Mr Cathal Boylan left the meeting at 12:35 pm

 

13. Strategic Planning

The Committee considered its strategic priorities and discussed potential areas for inclusion for the remainder of the mandate.

Agreed: To consider a summary of the options discussed and proposals for inclusion at a future meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:13 pm.

 

Mr Peter Martin,

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

5 November 2025