Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 24 September 2025

Committee for Infrastructure - 24 September 2025.pdf (217.42 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

 

Via Video Conferencing:

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr Peter McReynolds 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 closed session at 10:02 am.

The Chairperson noted the recent changes to the Committee's membership and welcomed Mr Harry Harvey who replaces Mr Keith Buchanan.

The Chairperson proposed to write to Mr Buchanan to thank him for his contribution to the work of the Committee.

Agreed: To write to Mr Buchanan to thank him for his contribution during his time on the Committee.

 

1. Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill - Bill Clerk Briefing

The following official joined the meeting at 11:20 am.

  • Mrs Liz Marsh, Bill Clerk, Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Committee received an oral briefing on the Assembly's stages for bills and the associated processes.

A question and answer session followed.

The Chairperson thanked the official for her briefing.

The official left the meeting at 10:57 am.

The Committee considered a draft key stakeholder list to inform its scrutiny of the Bill ahead of its meeting on 1 October 2025.

The meeting moved into public session at 11:07 am

 

2. Apologies

As above.

 

3. Declaration of Interests

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

 

3. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson noted the recent announcement by the former Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs Deborah Erskine, on the birth her daughter.

Agreed: To send a card on behalf of the Committee to express its congratulations and well wishes to the family.

The Chairperson drew to Members' attention the recent debate on the A5 Western Transport Corridor during which it was highlighted that, within the judgement, it referred to the apparent the lack of co-ordination between the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department for Infrastructure.

Agreed: To write to the Ministers for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Infrastructure to establish what, if any, consultation occurred between the two departments to inform the final decision to proceed with the scheme.

The Chairperson reminded members of the ongoing work of the Committee in examining issues relating to Trust Ports and the potential for legislative changes currently under consideration by the Department.

The Committee noted that this policy area and any proposed changes to legislation would remain under review when considering its future programme of work.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.

 

5. Matters Arising

None.

 

6. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs requesting further collaboration on matters related to the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme.

Agreed: that the Clerk engages with the Clerk to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to ascertain the nature of further collaboration in the first instance to allow the Committee to consider the scope of the request.

Agreed: To commission legal advice on any relevant factors or limitations that may affect the Committee's role and functions in examining issues around A5 project considering the Minister for Infrastructure's intention to appeal the recent judgement.

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance seeking the view of the Infrastructure Committee as to the use of Negative Resolution under Clause 17 of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill.

Agreed: that the Clerk engages with the Clerk to the Committee for Finance in the first instance to inform Members' considerations.

Correspondence from the Construction Employers Federation inviting the Committee to view an example of a Sustainable Drainage Scheme.

Agreed: To consider options for a visit as part of the Committee's scrutiny of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Correspondence from the Committee for the Economy from Foyle Port in respect of its plans relating to offshore renewable energy development.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for the Economy enclosing correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure in respect of planning issues relating to the development of renewable energy.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing correspondence from the Department of Finance regarding June Monitoring Round bids and allocations.
  • Correspondence from the Assembly and Executive Review Committee accompanied by a list of crosscutting Executive strategies.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance on:
    • the delay to the introduction of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill and associated Legislative Consent; and
    • the introduction of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to Parliament.

 

7. Roads Maintenance Budget - Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland - Oral Evidence

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 11:20 am.

  • Mr Gordon Best - Regional Director, Mineral Product Association Northern Ireland (MPANI);
  • Mr Damien Keenan - Managing Director, P Keenan Roads;
  • Mr David Chambers - Commercial Director, Gibson Brothers;
  • Mr Gareth Telford - Director of Contracts, Northstone; and
  • Mr John McQuillan - Director, John McQuillan Contracts

The evidence session was recorded by Hansard.

The witnesses provided the Committee with an introductory briefing.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: To write to MPANI to request a written submission on decarbonisation initiatives and recyclable materials relating to the A5WTC as referenced during the session.

The witnesses left the meeting at 12:24 pm.

Agreed: To write to the Department for a response to a number of issues covered during the evidence, which includes compliance by contractors, financial allocations for road maintenance, road condition survey and its engagement with utilities companies.

 

8. Sustainable Drainage Systems in New Housing Developments - Public Consultation - Written Evidence

The Committee considered the Sustainable Drainage Systems in New Housing Developments - Public Consultation.

Agreed: To schedule an oral evidence session from departmental officials at a suitable date upon the conclusion of the consultation.

 

9. 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 2025-144 The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SR 2025-145 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025;
  • SR 2025-146 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
  • SR 2025-147 The Parking Places on Roads, Loading Bays and Waiting Restrictions (Newcastle) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

 

10. Subordinate Legislation - SL1s Not Subject to Assembly Procedure

The Committee noted the following proposal for a Statutory Rule, which is not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SL1 - The Prohibition of Waiting (Schools) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Agreed: To note the proposal for the statutory rule.

 

11. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: To commission the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe) to provide a research paper on the key issues relating to the Department's work.

Agreed: To consider these key issues at a future meeting when reviewing the Committee's strategic priorities.

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.

 

12. Any Other Business

None.

 

13. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:38 pm.

 

 

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

1 October 2025