17 September 2001

DRD MINISTER WELCOMES REPORT ON TITANIC QUARTER INQUIRY

Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell MP MLA, today welcomed the publication of the Regional Development Committee’s report on the inquiry into the Titanic Quarter leases.

Speaking during an Assembly debate, Mr Campbell said: "I will obviously want to consider each of the report’s recommendations carefully and would intend to respond to the Committee on these in due course.

"However, none of the recommendations come as a particular surprise to me, indeed many of them stem from discussions I have had with the Committee extending over several months. In general terms, I regard them as a reasonable and sensible set of proposals."

Mr Campbell also confirmed that since the inquiry had been initiated, a Memorandum of Understanding had already been concluded between Belfast Harbour Commissioners (BHC) and his Department. As a result of this, the Harbour Commissioners will notify and consult fully with the Department prior to any change in land use, or the disposal of any lands within the Harbour Estate. This arrangement will operate initially on a voluntary basis, pending the introduction of suitable legislation.

The Minister also referred to the series of other measures he announced earlier this year, aimed at securing an improvement in public accountability within the trust port sector. These include increased District Council representation on the boards of trust ports and the introduction of a Code of Practice.

Mr Campbell said: "I believe that the Memorandum of Understanding, together with the package of measures designed to improve public accountability, marks a new beginning in terms of the relationship between BHC and other trust ports and elected representatives.

"I have no doubt lessons have been learned as a result of the inquiry. I believe however that we can now put the controversy surrounding the Titanic Quarter lease behind us and begin to look to a future in which greater commercial freedom will be balanced against improved public accountability."

Referring to the long-running debate on the future of the Port of Belfast, Mr Campbell said he had reached the conclusion that the Port should remain as a trust port in the public sector.

He said: "I very much hope that BHC and port users will now be able to plan the future development of the Harbour with greater confidence. In doing so I feel sure they will want to build on the Port’s proud record of commercial success, while ensuring that the Assembly and elected representatives are kept fully informed."

For further information contact Clare Baxter on 028 9054 0068 or Eamon Deeny on 028 9054 0004.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Regional Development Committee announced its Inquiry into the Titanic Quarter leases on 3 April 2001. The Department was one of a number of organisations, which gave evidence during the course of the Inquiry.
2. The Port of Belfast is a public trust port and the Department for Regional Development is responsible for making appointments to the board of Belfast Harbour Commissioners as well as the port of Londonderry and Warrenpoint. The Department also has policy responsibility for ports in Northern Ireland.
3. Three years ago the Department undertook a review of Northern Ireland’s trust ports. The main findings of the review indicated that the powers of the trust ports should be extended and that their public accountability should be improved.
4. During the course of this review Belfast Harbour Commissioners brought forward their proposals to transfer the Port of Belfast to the private sector by means of a placed flotation, with Government retaining a Special Share to safeguard the public interest. However, following an extensive debate on the future of the Port, last year the Commissioners withdrew this proposal, making it clear their preferred option was now a trust port with extended powers.
5. In November 2000, the Minister for Regional Development announced his intention to develop and enter into a voluntary agreement with BHC in relation to the Harbour lands This agreement was concluded and came into operation with effect from 1 August 2001. As a result BHC will notify and consult the Department prior to any change of land use or disposal of Harbour lands.
6. Draft legislation is already well advanced which, subject to the approval of the Assembly will inter alia increase the number of District Council representatives on each trust Board.
7. In addition, the Department plans to promote a short Harbours Bill which would contain three main provisions: a reserve power of general direction to safeguard the public interest; a power to allow the Department to require any trust port to provide such information as may be required; and a provision to enable the Department to introduce a Code of Practice for all trust ports.