Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings 27 May 2026

Committee for Infrastructure Minutes of Proceedings 27 May 2026.pdf (222.9 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 Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

Mrs Sinéad Ennis 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 10:02 am in closed session.

1. Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill – Examiner of Statutory Rules – Oral Briefing

The Examiner of Statutory Rules joined the meeting at 10:04 am.

Ms Angela Kelly, Examiner of Statutory Rules

A question and answer session followed.

The Examiner of Statutory Rules left the meeting at 10:17 am.

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA joined the meeting at 10:30 am.

The meeting moved into public session at 10:52 am.

2. Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill – Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence

The following departmental officials joined the meeting at 10:52 am.

Ms Alison Clydesdale, Director of Water & Drainage Policy, Department for Infrastructure;
Ms Julie-Ann Dutton, Water Policy and Legislation, Department for Infrastructure;
Mr Jim McComish, Water Policy and Legislation, Department for Infrastructure; and,
Mr Stuart Wightman, Programme Manager, Sustainable Drainage, Department for Infrastructure.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA joined the meeting at 11:22 am.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting at 11:28 am.

Agreed: To write to the Minister for Infrastructure to request amendments referenced in the Minister’s response of 15 May 2026 be drafted and to request further amendments be considered in relation to the commencement of provisions in the Bill.

The departmental officials left the meeting at 11:34 am.

3. Apologies

As above.

4. Declaration of Interests

None.

5. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee discussed the joint concurrent meeting with the Committees for Communities and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on 21 May 2026.

6. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

7. Matters Arising

Following the Committee’s previous decision to establish what work had been undertaken by the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs regarding the application for a proposed residual waste treatment facility at Mallusk, the Clerk informed Members that no work is currently being undertaken by that Committee.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to seek:

An update on the planning application for the residual waste treatment facility at Mallusk and the timescale for a decision; and
a summary of all regionally significant planning applications that are being processed by the Department.

8. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure updating the Committee on the Minister’s proposals to address the issue of drink driving.

Agreed: To schedule an oral evidence session in the Forward Work Programme upon the conclusion of the consultation.

Report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) on the ‘Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission’ .

Agreed: That theClerk liaise with the Clerks of Justice and Public Accounts Committees to establish any current work being undertaken on the Planning Appeals Commission and primacy for the recent NIAO Report.

Agreed: To write to the Minister for Infrastructure to seek her views on the content and recommendations contained with the NIAO report.

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing spending guidance to Departments in the absence of an agreed budget.

Agreed: To write to the Department to seek its assessment of the impact of the contingency budget allocation for 2026-27, and the potential impact on public services, and what communication has been undertaken with Arms-Length Bodies and voluntary and community sector organisations which may be impacted.

Correspondence from a member of the public requesting assistance from DfI Roads in respect of the Frosses Road/Dunloy crossroads.

Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Department requesting that it is passed to the relevant section office for consideration.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

Copy correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure the Committee for Communities detailing closed areas of development across the Northern Ireland region;
Correspondence from the Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) highlighting its petition to allow free travel for those with disabilities.
A statement from IMTAC on the Motability Scheme
Notification from Translink of forthcoming essential road works in the Galgorm Road and Waveney Road area.
Correspondence from a member of the public regarding public transport in Northern Ireland.

9. SL1 – The Meenan Square, Derry/Londonderry (Footways) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Meenan Square, Derry/Londonderry (Footways) (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

10. SL1 – The Road Races (Loughgall Stages Rally) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

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

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

11. SL1 – The Road Races (Rallye Lecale) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Rallye Lecale) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

12. SL1 – The Railways Safety Act 2002 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) – Formal Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Railways Safety Act 2002 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland).

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

13. SL1 – The Road Races (Eagles Rock Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

Mr John Stewart MLA left the meeting at 11:55 am.

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Eagles Rock Hill Climb) 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 17 June 2026.

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

14. SL1 – The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Road Races (Armoy Motorcycle Road Race) 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 17 June 2026.

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

15. SR 2026-85 The Comber Road, Dundonald (Abandonment Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-85 The Comber Road, Dundonald (Abandonment Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.