Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 5 November 2025

Minutes of 5 November 2025.pdf (238.42 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 Andrew McMurray MLA

 

Via Video Conferencing:

Ms Nicola Brogan MLA

MrCathal Boylan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr Peter McReynolds 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 in closed session at 10:03 am.

 

1. Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill - Examiner for Statutory Rules - Oral Briefing

The following Assembly official joined the meeting at 10:03 am.

  • Ms Angela Kelly, Examiner of Statutory Rules, Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Examiner of Statutory Rules provided the Committee with a briefing on aspects of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill that would require delegated legislation.

Agreed: That the Clerk create a summary paper detailing any issues raised relating to delegated powers in the Bill.

Agreed: To commission the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe) to undertake some research on comparable policies and/or legislation in the Republic of Ireland to inform the Committee's consideration of the Bill.

The Committee moved into public session at 11:07 am.

Mr Andrew McMurray left the meeting at 11:07 am.

 

2. Apologies

As above.

 

3. Declaration of Interests

None.

 

Mr Andrew McMurray rejoined the meeting at 11:08 am.

 

3. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson drew to members attention the issues surrounding the judicial review in response to the Minister's decision to approve Irish language signage at the Grand Central Station in Belfast.

Agreed: To write to the Minister for Infrastructure seeking further detail on

  • the costs incurred to date by the Department in responding to the judicial review; and
  • What action the Minister has, or intends to take to seek to resolve the issues at Executive level as encouraged by Mr Justice McAlinden.

 

4. Draft Minutes

  • Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.

 

5. Matters Arising

The Committee noted a paper from the Clerk summarising the key points of discussion arising from its recent strategic planning session at its meeting on 22 October 2025.

Agreed: To write to the Department to seek an outline of the process adopted by utility companies when undertaking works that require remedial repairs to the public road network, detail of its oversight in ensuring such repairs are completed to the required standards and to establish how such work is co-ordinated to minimise the necessity for multiple repairs and disruption to the public.

The Committee noted that, as previously indicated, the Interim Regional Planning Commission (IRPC) was expected to finalise its report during the summer.

Agreed: To write to the IRPC to seek an update on the progress of its report including the anticipated date of publication.

 

6. Correspondence

Minister for Infrastructure to Committee request to be notified of the proposed source of funding for repair of the Barmouth moles at Castlerock/Portstewart.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to the allocation of the funding and to request that the Committee be kept updated on the progress of the works.

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence regarding the Department's assessment of the factors driving projected increases in flood plain extent.

Agreed: To write to the Department to request that the Committee receives a copy of the updated guidance in relation to climate change and flood risk when available as referenced.

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee request for clarification on Translink's role in supporting the All Island Strategic Rail Review.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence on the outcome of the feasibility studies that are being undertaken and are linked to the recommendations in the review once complete.

Response from the Minister for Infrastructure to Committee correspondence requesting an update on the Translink Night-mover Service pilot scheme.

Agreed: To write to the Department to request quarterly updates on the Night-mover pilot scheme once operational.

Response from the Department for Infrastructure providing an update on the gully pilot scheme.

Agreed: To write to the Department to request detail of the issues that are outstanding and an estimated timeframe for recommencement of the pilot.

A copy of the Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the Department at a future date in the Forward Work Programme.

Correspondence from the Committee for Finance indicating a December Monitoring Round with a submission date of 20 November 2025.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the Department within 7 days of the submission.

Response from the Construction Employers Federation to the Utility Regulator's consultation on its Approach to PC28 for Northern Ireland Water - October 2025.

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland at an appropriate date in the Forward Work Programme.

Response from the Department for Infrastructure regarding the SL1 The U5390 Church Hil, Jonesborough (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to establish whether, given the concerns raised by Mr McNulty, it is willing to undertake a full structural survey of properties impacted under the proposed abandonment at the U5390 Church Hill, Jonesborough.

Response from the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to Committee correspondence requesting detail of what assurances were provided by DAERA or sought by DFI to inform the Infrastructure Minister's decision to proceed with the A5 Western Transport Corridor.

Agreed: To write to both the ministers of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Infrastructure to request the dates and associated minutes of meeting that occurred between DAERA and DfI officials as referenced within the Minister for Infrastructure's response to the Committee on 10 October 2025.

Correspondence from a member of the public regarding a case against the Department for Infrastructure.

Agreed: To write to the individual referring them to the Northern Ireland Public Service Ombudsman.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Response to Committee request for the Department's assessment and copies of any associated policies that set out how routine maintenance, which could potentially improve the existing network for active travel purposes, is balanced with standalone active travel projects;
  • Response to Committee request of the Department on what plans it has to provide the surety of funding to Translink to allow the continued delivery of services;
  • Response to Committee request for clarification on what the £90m capital funding allocated for this financial year to the A5 project, is to be spent on and whether it can be reallocated to another use;
  • Implementation of a fare increase for the Rathlin Island and Strangford Lough ferry services subject to the outcome of public consultation;
  • Copy of the Annual Report to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council 2025-2026.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance enclosing a commissioning note for December Monitoring Round.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Delegated Powers under the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill.
  • Correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding the 2025-26 Public Expenditure Outturn and Forecast Outturn September position.
  • Correspondence from Cycling UK acknowledging a response from the Department and to confirm its willingness to provide oral evidence if required.
  • Translink response to Committee request for information on preparedness for extreme weather events.

 

8. Rail and Transport Bill Consultation - Department for Infrastructure - Oral Evidence

The following departmental officials joined the meeting at 11:44 am.

  • Mr Graeme Banks, Head of Rail Safety Branch, Department for Infrastructure;
  • Ms Suzanne Breen, Rail Safety Branch, Department for Infrastructure; and
  • Ms Linda Buick, Head of Public Transport Strategy Branch, Department for Infrastructure;

The evidence session was reported by Hansard.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr John Stewart assumed the role of the Chairperson at 11:56 am.

Mr Peter Martin left the meeting at 11:56 am.

Mr Peter Martin re-joined the meeting at 11:59 am and resumed the role of the Chairperson.

Mr Stephen Dunne left the meeting at 12:08 pm.

The departmental officials left the meeting at 12:10 pm.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure seeking:

  • a list of the organisations invited by the Department to respond to the consultation and of these, which provided a response;
  • it's assessment of timescales for bringing forward any legislation within this mandate given the Department's existing resource pressures; and
  • to express the Committee's concern over the detrimental impacts upon heritage rail operators arising from the potential introduction of a safety levy.

 

9. Active Travel Delivery Plan - Department for Infrastructure - Written Evidence

The Chairperson informed Members that a paper had not been received for this item and highlighted that the evidence had been scheduled in the Committee's Forward Work Programme since 17 September 2025.

Agreed: To write the Minister for Infrastructure to express the Committee's disappointment at not receiving the written evidence.

10. Subordinate Legislation - SL1 Not Subject to Assembly Procedure

The Committee noted the following proposals for Statutory Rules, which are not subject to Assembly Proceedings:

  • SL1 - The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Derry-Londonderry) (Amendment No. 3) 2025; and
  • SL1 - The Parking Places (Disabled Persons' Vehicles) (Amendment No. 5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.

Agreed: To note the above proposals for Statutory Rules.

 

11. 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.

 

12. Any Other Business

The Deputy Chairperson indicated that he has been contacted by a number of individuals regarding the closure of the Kilrea Bridge, Derry/Londonderry, and the impact this was having on those affected.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to highlight the concerns expressed by traders and residents and to seek detail on:

  • what diversion signage has been erected whilst work is ongoing; and
  • what support, if any, is being considered by the Department to mitigate the impact of the work on traders within the affected area.

The Committee discussed a press release issued by the Department highlighting the Minister's intention to proceed with legislation in relation to the issue of pavement parking.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to seek further detail on the timescales for the proposed legislation.

The Committee noted the Minister's recent response to the Committee's invitation to provide additional oral evidence on relevant matters of interest.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to invite her to provide additional evidence ahead of her planned attendance in February 2026 to enable the Committee to examine a range of issues including the condition of the road network, and associated funding, Active Travel and waste water capacity.

 

13. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:43 pm.

 

 

Mr Peter Martin

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

12 November 2025