Committee for Infrastructure
Minutes of proceedings 30 September 2026
Committee for Infrastructure Minutes of Proceedings 30 September 2026.pdf (203.6 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast
Present:
Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Cathal Boylan MLA
Mr Harry Harvey MLA
Mr Andrew McMurray MLA
Mr Peter McReynolds MLA
Apologies:
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Via Video-Conferencing:
Mr John Stewart MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Boggs MLA
Mr Justin McNulty 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 10:04 am in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson expressed his disappointment at the late receipt of departmental papers relating to the planned oral evidence at agenda item 15, which was intended to provide an update on the Department’s financial position.
The Chairperson sought Members’ views on whether to reschedule the session to 7 October to allow sufficient time to consider the volume and breadth of information provided.
Agreed: To reschedule the planned evidence session with departmental officials for 7 October.
Mr Justin McNulty MLA joined the meeting at 10:07 am.
Mr Paul Boggs MLA joined the meeting at 10:07 am.
4. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
5. Matters Arising
None.
6. Correspondence
Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure on the outcome of its targeted consultation on proposed changes to Green Card requirements in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure to seek the timescales for the introduction of the legislation.
Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing information on its public consultation ‘Driving while under the influence of drugs – A consultation on modernising drug driving legislation.’
Agreed: To schedule oral evidence in the Forward Work Programme upon the conclusion of the consultation.
Correspondence from the Department of Justice providing a response to the Committee’s correspondence regarding car insurance awards in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To forward the response to the Committee for Finance for information.
Correspondence from the Construction Employers Federation providing comment on Department’s consultation on the draft Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services (2028/29-2032/33).
Agreed: To note and consider the issues raised upon the conclusion of the consultation.
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) 2026-27 Business Plan & 2025-26 Performance Update; and
- Correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding a Ribbon Ceremony marking Baby Loss Week.
7. SL1 - The Loading Bays on Roads Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - Formal Consideration
The Committee considered SL1 - The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
8. SL1 - The On-Street Parking (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration
The Committee considered SL1 - The On-Street Parking (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
9. SL1 - The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration
The Committee considered SL1 - The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
10. SL1 - The Urban Clearways (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration
The Committee considered SL1 - The Urban Clearways (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
11. SL1 - The Circular Road, Newtownards (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 – Formal Consideration
The Committee considered SL1 - The Circular Road, Newtownards (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposal for the Statutory Rule.
12. S.R. 2026-160 The Little Victoria Street Car Park, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Committee considered S.R. 2026-160 The Little Victoria Street Car Park, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.
Agreed: That the Committee for Infrastructure has considered S.R. 2026-160 The Little Victoria Street Car Park, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 and has no objection to the rule.
13. Tree Protection Bill – Assembly Research and Information Service – Oral Briefing and consideration of written evidence.
The following researchers joined the meeting 10:15 am.
- Mr Nathan Mulholland, Research Officer, Research and Information Service (RaISe); and
- Ms Suzie Cave, Research Officer, Research and Information Service (RaISe).
A question and answer session followed.
The researchers left the meeting at 11:23 am.
Agreed: To forward a copy of the research paper to the Department requesting a response to each of the issues contained with the research.
Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the organisations representing environmental groups to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the organisations representing planning and the construction sector to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the organisations representing local government to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
Agreed: To schedule oral evidence from the Ulster Farmers Union as a representative for landowners to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
Agreed: To write to all Statutory Committees seeking views on the Bill.
Agreed: To write to the Bill Sponsor, Mr Peter McReynolds MLA, to request a delegated powers memorandum in respect of provisions within the Bill.
14. Display of Flags and Emblems Bill - Consideration of Issues arising from the Committee’s call for evidence
The Committee considered a Clerk’s memo on the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill.
Agreed: To write to all Statutory Committees seeking views on the Bill.
15. Update on the Department for Infrastructure’s Financial Position for 2026-27 - Department for Infrastructure – Oral Evidence
As previously agreed, this session was deferred to the meeting on 7 October 2026.
16. 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.
17. Any Other Business
Agreed: To write to all Statutory Committees seeking views on the Harbours Bill.
18. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 10:00 am in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Chairperson, Committee for Infrastructure
7 October 2026
