Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of Proceedings - 23 September 2026

Committee for Infrastructure - 23 September 2026.pdf (192.26 kb)

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

 

Present:

Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA (Chairperson)

Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Paul Boggs MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Justin McNulty MLA

Mr Peter McRerynolds MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne 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)

Ms Ally McNamara (Clerical Officer)

 

The meeting commenced at 10:01 am in public session.

 

The Committee agreed to move to agenda item number 2.

 

1. Apologies

As above.

 

2. Declaration of Interests

None.

 

3. Chairperson’s Business

None.

 

4. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

 

6. Matters Arising

None.

 

7. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office enclosing a recent report on ‘The Prevalence and Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Northern Ireland.’

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure seeking a response to the issues, where relevant, that are contained within the report.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

  • Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure to advise of the adoption of the Road Noise Action Plan by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

 

8. Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister for Infrastructure in response to issues identified in the course of its scrutiny of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill and amendments.

Having noted the proposed amendments contained within the Minister’s response, the Committee considered these against the amendments that it has commissioned from the Bill Office.

The following officials joined the meeting at 12:11 pm.

  • Ms Angela Kelly, Examiner of Statutory Rules;
  • Mrs Liz Marsh, Bill Clerk

The officials left the meeting at 12:23 pm.

The Committee moved into public session at 12:23 pm.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to confirm that it is supportive of the departmental amendments as set out in the Minister’s correspondence.

 

9. SR 2026-129 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered SR 2026-129 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2026-129 The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and has no objection to the rule.

 

10. SR 2026-143 The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered SR 2026-143 The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2026-143 The Motorways Traffic (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and has no objection to the rule.

 

11. SR 2026-125 (C.5) The Road Traffic (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered SR 2026-125 (C.5) The Road Traffic (Amendment) (2016 Act) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: That the Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

12. SR 2026-126 The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered SR 2026-126 The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered SR 2026-126 The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 and recommends it be affirmed by the Assembly.

 

13. SL1 – The Loading Bays and Parking Places (Church Street, Antrim) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

The Committee considered The Circular Road, Newtownards (Abandonment) 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 30 September 2026.

Agreed: That a briefing from officials is not required at this stage.

 

14. SL1 – The Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Initial Consideration

The Committee considered The Circular Road, Newtownards (Abandonment) 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 30 September 2026.

Agreed: That a briefing from officials is not required at this stage.

 

15. SR 2026-158 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

The Committee considered SR 2026-158 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons Vehicles) (Amendment No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the Statutory Rule.

 

16. End of Session Report 2025-2026

The Committee considered the contents of the Draft End of Session Report 2025-2026 reflecting on the key outputs of the previous Assembly session.

Agreed: The Title, Contents, Powers, and Membership of the report.

Agreed: The key activities and statistical information contained in the report.

Agreed: To publish the report on the Committee webpage.

 

17. 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.

 

18. Any Other Business

None.

 

19. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 12:43 pm.

 

 

Mr Jonathan Buckley

Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure

30 September 2026