Question Time: Infrastructure Monday 1 March 2021
Channel: Northern Ireland Assembly
Date: 2021-03-01

Infrastrcuture Minister Nichola Mallon answers Members questions in the Assembly Chamber 1 March 2021. Read the Official Report (Hansard) - https://lk.nia.fyi/3HLR

Each of the questions answered have been chaptered in the video to help you find them more easily.

Chapters / Questions
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00:00 - Bus Operator Financial Assistance Scheme

1. Dr Archibald asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the bus operator financial assistance scheme Northern Ireland 2020. (AQO 1641/17-22)

04:35 - Speed Limits
2. Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of the current regulations that determine speed limits on roads. (AQO 1642/17-22)

10:38 - Flags and Banners: Legislation
3. Ms Bradshaw asked the Minister for Infrastructure whether she plans to bring forward legislation to regulate the flying of flags and banners on street furniture. (AQO 1643/17-22)

18:44 - Park-and-ride Scheme: Dungiven
4. Ms Hunter asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on plans for a park-and-ride scheme in Dungiven. (AQO 1644/17-22)

22:15 - Infrastructure to Connect Northern Ireland and Scotland
5. Mr Buckley asked the Minister for Infrastructure to outline any discussions her Department has had with its UK counterparts regarding infrastructure connecting Northern Ireland and Scotland. (AQO 1645/17-22)


Topical Questions
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29:20 - Driving Tests: Key Workers
T1. Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Infrastructure what plans she has to reinstate driving tests for key workers, such as health workers, ambulance staff and Fire and Rescue Service personnel, for whom driving is a key part of their work. (AQT 1041/17-22)


31:34 - Casement Park
T2. Dr Archibald asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the planning application for Casement Park. (AQT 1042/17-22)


33:18 - Capital Projects
T3. Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Infrastructure, given that respected EU commentators such as Tony Connelly are advising that a degree of rethinking is going on, whether she agrees that it would be wise not to spend money on capital projects that may not be needed, especially in light of the widening acknowledgement that the current EU trading arrangements with the United Kingdom, along with the Northern Ireland protocol, are causing difficulties for the haulage sector and small businesses. (AQT 1043/17-22)


35:36 - Strangford Ferry: Additional Shelter
T4. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister for Infrastructure, in light of the fact that social distancing is likely to be with us for some considerable time, whether she will commit to looking seriously at alternative types of shelter for the Strangford ferry, given that, in answer to a question for written answer on the provision of additional shelter for foot passengers, including schoolchildren, to protect them from inclement weather, she suggested that they wear suitable clothing, albeit the Minister probably would not find it acceptable for anyone close to her to travel around Belfast on an open-top bus in the rain and then go to school in wet clothes. (AQT 1044/17-22)


38:00 - Planning Appeals Commission: Powers to Revoke
T5. Mr Allister asked the Minister for Infrastructure whether she thinks that it is sensible that the Planning Appeals Commission does not have powers to revoke permissions that, on reflection, were wrong, particularly the Kells battery energy storage scheme, which was approved on the basis of being non-generating, with the Department now decreeing that such schemes are generating. (AQT 1045/17-22)


40:37 - Cycle Route: Cavehill Road/Limestone Road
T6. Ms P Bradley asked the Minister for Infrastructure when, although it is early yet, the proposed and welcome cycle route along the Cavehill Road and the Limestone Road, which she announced last month, will be completed. (AQT 1046/17-22)


42:39 - Hightown Incinerator: Update
T7. Mr G Kelly asked the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the Hightown incinerator application. (AQT 1047/17-22)