Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of proceedings 9 July 2026

Committee for Infrastructure minutes of proceedings 9 July 2026.pdf (168.94 kb)

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

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr Peter Martin MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mrs Sinéad Ennis MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

In Attendance:                

Mr Jonathan Lawless (Clerical Supervisor)

Via Video Conferencing:

Mr Michael Potter (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Philip Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

The meeting commenced at 14:09 pm in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

3. Tree Protection Bill – Recission of Decision of 1 July 2026

The Committee considered a proposal by Mrs Sinéad Ennis to rescind its previous decision at its meeting on 1 July 2026 not to issue a Call for Evidence for the Tree Protection Bill prior to it formally standing referred to the Committee should it pass the Second Stage.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to rescind the decision of 1 July 2026: That the Committee waits for the Tree Protection Bill to formally stand referred to the Committee before issuing its Call for Evidence.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a draft press release, signposting notice, questions for the Citizen Space survey and stakeholder list for the Tree Protection Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a Call for Evidence for the Tree Protection Bill and to commence a 10-week consultation period from 9 July 2026 to 16 September 2026.

4. Display of Flags and Emblems Bill – Recission of Decision of 1 July 2026

The Committee considered a proposal by Mrs Sinéad Ennis to rescind its previous decision at its meeting on 1 July 2026 to not issue a Call for Evidence for the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill prior to it formally standing referred to the Committee should it pass the Second Stage.

The Committee agreed that the evidence is recorded by Hansard.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to rescind the decision of 1 July 2026: That the Committee waits for the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill to formally stand referred to the Committee before issuing its Call for Evidence.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a draft press release, signposting notice, questions for the Citizen Space survey and stakeholder list for the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a Call for Evidence for the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill and to commence a 10-week consultation period from 9 July 2026 to 16 September 2026.

5. Any Other Business

None.

6. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 14:30 pm.

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

9 September 2026