Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of proceedings 4 March 2026

Committee for Infrastructure minutes of proceedings 4 March 2026.pdf (209.75 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 Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Mr Justin McNulty 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 at 10:02 am in public session.

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA joined the meeting at 10:03 am.

Mr Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting at 10:03 am.


1. Apologies

As above.


2. Declaration of Interests

None

                                        

3. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson highlighted a recent media article relating to graffiti which has appeared on the Egyptian Arch billboard expressing support for an individual jailed for the murder of Lyra McKee.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to highlight the contents of the graffiti, to express the Committee’s concern over the nature of the messaging and to request a summary of the steps that will be taken for its removal, and associated infrastructure, given the significant amount of plenary and Committee time expended on addressing this matter.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

 

5. Matters Arising

The Committee considered a paper from the Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe) providing an environmental scan of the Department for Infrastructure..

Agreed: To write to the Minister to seek an overview of the work undertaken, progress and timescales for the completion of recommendations arising from DfI’s ‘Review of the implementation of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 as highlighted in the RaISe paper.

The Committee noted the arrangements for a joint concurrent meeting with the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to receive evidence from Northern Ireland Water on the Lough Neagh Action Plan and the Planning Statutory Consultee Forum, which is planned for Monday 20 April 2026.

Agreed: That the Clerk liaises with the Clerk to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to examine the viability of amending the date of the concurrent meeting to Tuesday, 21 April 2026.

 

6. Correspondence

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure on what consideration she is giving to refine or revise the relevant planning legislation to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.

Agreed: That the Clerk will draft a paper setting out the key considerations and scope for any proposed review of planning related issues including potential witnesses, intended outcomes and options for inclusion within a draft Terms of Reference.

Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council enclosing its report of its assessment of the proposed Draft Budget for 2026-2030.

Agreed: To consider in context of the oral session that is scheduled on 11 March 2026 with departmental officials.

Correspondence from the Consulate General for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines highlighting the need for the installation of two additional diplomatic parking advisory signs.

Agreed: To write to the Minister enclosing the correspondence from the Consulate General and to request her consideration for the installation of additional signage at designated bays to signify their use for diplomatic purposes.

A copy of the Minister for Finance’s Urgent Oral Statement regarding the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

Agreed: To write to the Minister for Infrastructure to seek her assessment of the impact, if any, on DfI’s budget arising from the ‘open book’ exercise as highlighted in the Minister of Finance’s oral statement on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Response to the Committee’s correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure in respect of the lack of supporting written evidence in respect of proposals for Graduated Driver Licencing (GDL) in advance of the oral evidence;
  • Response to the Committee’s correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure providing details on the number of potholes by council area across the road network in the North;
  • Response to the Committee’s correspondence from the Minister for Communities in respect of any ongoing work being undertaken to provide support to businesses affected by the road closure at Kilrea Bridge;
  • Correspondence from the Minster for Infrastructure setting out the approval of four revised Common Frameworks in respect of rail technical standards (interoperability), motor insurance, driver licensing and commercial transport and operator licensing;
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing the 2025-26 Public Expenditure Outturn and Forecast Outturn  – January (R10) Position;
  • Copy correspondence to the Minister for Infrastructure regarding continued non-commencement of the Review of Old Mineral Permissions (ROMPs) under the Planning Act (NI) 2011; and
  • Correspondence from a member of the public seeking information in respect of the A4 Enniskillen By-Pass.

 

7. Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland – Price Control 28 – Oral Evidence

The representatives joined the meeting at 10:46 am.

  • Mr John French, Chief Executive, Utility Regulator;
  • Ms Elaine Cassidy,  Director of Price Controls, Utility Regulator; and
  • Mr Ciaran MacCann, Head of Function (Price Controls), Utility Regulator.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Peter Martin MLA left the meeting at 11:19 am and Mr John Stewart MLA assumed the role of Chairperson.

Mr Peter Martin MLA re-joined the meeting at 11:26 am and resumed the Chair.

The representatives left the meeting at 12:00 pm.

Agreed: To write to Northern Ireland Water to seek an overview of its performance against its objectives to achieve net zero as set out in its Climate Change Strategy.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to seek her views on the 20 million tons of sewerage that NI Water spilled into waterways in 2025, the impact that is having on the environment, bathing waters and eco systems and what action she is taking to address this issue.

 

8. Mobile Phone Consultation – Department for Infrastructure – Written Evidence

The Committee considered written evidence from the Department for Infrastructure regarding the outcome of the consultation ‘Using a Mobile Phone While Driving’.

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

 

9. SL1 – The Quay Pass, Enniskillen (Abandonment) Order (Northern    Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Quay Pass, Enniskillen (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

10. SL1 –  The Drumnagoon Road, Portadown (Abandonment) Order    (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Drumnagoon Road, Portadown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

11. SL1 – The Malone Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern      Ireland) 2026

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

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

 

12. SL1 – The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

 

13. SL1 – The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

The Committee considered the SL1 – The Roads (Speed Limit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: To note receipt of the SL1 and proposed statutory rule, which will be published on the Committee’s webpages and a ‘Call for Views’ will be issued on Citizen Space.

Agreed: To consider the SL1, proposed statutory rule and any responses received at its meeting on 15 April 2026.

Agreed: That evidence from departmental officials is not required at this stage.

 

14. SL1 – The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland)    2026 – Initial Consideration

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

Agreed: To note receipt of the SL1 and proposed statutory rule, which will be published on the Committee’s webpages and a ‘Call for Views’ will be issued on Citizen Space.

Agreed: To consider the SL1, proposed statutory rule and any responses received at its meeting on 25 March 2026.

Agreed: That evidence from departmental officials is not required at this stage.

 

15. SL1 – The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SL1 –. The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: To note receipt of the SL1 and proposed statutory rule, which will be published on the Committee’s webpages and a ‘Call for Views’ will be issued on Citizen Space.

Agreed: To consider the SL1, proposed statutory rule and any responses received at its meeting on 15 April 2026.

Agreed: That evidence from departmental officials is not required at this stage.

 

16. SR 2026-25 The Prohibition of U-Turns (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-25 The Prohibition of U-Turns (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

17. SR 2026-28 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast)         (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-28 – The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed:  The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.


18. SR 2026-29 The Waiting Restrictions (Clogher) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered the SR 2026-29 – The Waiting Restrictions (Clogher) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

19. 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.

 

20. Any Other Business

None.

 

21. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:16 pm.

 

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

11 March 2026