Committee for Infrastructure

Minutes of proceedings 7 October 2026

Committee for Infrastructure Minutes of Proceedings 7 October 2026.pdf (220.24 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 Cathal Boylan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr Andrew McMurray MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds MLA

Apologies:

None

Via Videoconferencing:

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 10:00 am in closed session.

1. The Reservoirs Act - Assembly Legal Services - Consideration of Delegated Legislation - Oral Briefing

The legal advisor joined the meeting 10:02 am.

Ms Htaik Win, Legal Advisor, NIA Legal

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Cathal Boylan MLA joined the meeting at 10:07 am.

The legal advisor left the meeting at 10:12 am.

Having noted the contents of the legal advice and its previous decision to consider the proposed delegated legislation under the Assembly’s new procedure, the Committee will consider the revised SL1s and associated once resubmitted by the Department for Infrastructure.

The Committee moved into public session at 10:26 am.

2. Apologies

As above.

3. Declaration of Interests

None.

4. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed Members that the Consideration Stage of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill has been scheduled on Monday, 12 October and that the proposed departmental amendments have been laid.

The Chairperson highlighted to Members’ attention the recent judgement by the Court of Appeal in respect of the A5 Western Transport Corridor upgrade project.

The Committee broadly welcomed the legal certainty arising from this Executive Flagship project but recognised the impacts of recommencing the upgrade and the need for clear and timely information to those affected.

Agreed: To write to the Department for Infrastructure seeking:

An updated assessment of the revised timescales for the commencement and completion of work for the project;
Its assessment of the amount of land previously returned to landowners that will now be subject to revesting and the associated forecast costs;
An updated assessment of the forecasted costs for delivering the project;
An overview of what capital road projects can be progressed in this financial year in light of the judgement;
Clarification of whether the Department is required to offset all carbon emissions when seeking to deliver major capital projects; and
Clarification of whether landowners, having undertaken remedial repairs to land previously vested, have been notified that the reimbursement of any costs incurred should be sought through a landowners’ insurers.

5. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

6. Matters Arising

None.

7. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure on the Review of Permitted Development Rights - Development by Electronic Communications Code Operators (Mobile Telecommunications)

Agreed: To schedule oral evidence upon the conclusion of the consultation.

Correspondence from Cycling UK offering to provide oral evidence to the Committee pending publication of the Active Travel Delivery Plan for Northern Ireland.

Agreed: To write to the Department to establish when the Active Delivery Plan will be published.

Correspondence from a member of the public raising concerns regarding the On-Street Parking (Amendment No.2) Order (NI) 2026.

Agreed: To write to the Department seeking a response to the issues raised.

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing a notice of appointment for two non-executive members to the board of Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company;
Correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure providing the Annual Roads Report for Newry, Mourne & Down District Council 2026-2027;
Correspondence from the Committee for the Economy regarding the call for evidence on the Regional Balance Bill;
Correspondence from the Committee for Communities providing an update on co-ownership property value limits for new-build homes in Northern Ireland;
Correspondence from the Committee for Communities seeking information of any financial bids in respect of the Anti-Poverty Strategy;
Correspondence from the Committee for Communities regarding the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council research paper summarising the issues identified with rurality and governmental decision making;
Correspondence from the Office of the Speaker providing notification that a public petition was presented to the Assembly on ‘Road Safety at Darragh Cross;’
Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland – Department for Infrastructure Investing Activity Report – September 2026;
Response from APCOA to questions raised during the evidence session on parking enforcement;
Invite from Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Engagement Team to a round table lunch event with the Older People’s Parliament on 15th October in the Long Gallery;
Correspondence from a member of the public raising concerns regarding Graduated Driver Licensing and pre-existing R drivers limited to 45mph; and
Invitation from CILIP Ireland to a drop-in event ‘Libraries Deliver Impact Outcomes and Value for Communities.’