COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 17 JANUARY 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Mr David Simpson MP
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
The meeting opened at 10.36 a.m. in public session.
-
Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
-
Declaration of Interests.
Mr Neeson declared his interest as Chairperson of the Assembly Business Trust.
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 10.47 a.m.
-
Minutes of meeting held on 10 January 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 10 January 2008 were agreed.
-
Matters Arising.
The Committee noted that the Chairperson had written to the Chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee about their Inquiry into Renewable Energy/Alternative Land Use.
Agreed: That the Chair would raise the issue of the overlap of Committee business in relation to the Inquiry at the next meeting of the Chairperson’s Liaison Group.
Members were advised that the Clerk and the Chairperson had written to the Department and to the Minister, respectively, seeking further clarification on some issues regarding the US/NI Investment Conference. Specific information was sought as to the role that the Committee might play in supporting the conference.
Members were also advised that, as agreed, the Chairperson wrote to Sir David Varney expressing the Committee’s disappointment at the key outcome of his review, to retain the current level of Corporation Tax.
Agreed: That the Chairperson’s response would be posted on the ETI Committee website.
-
Draft Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan.
Members considered and discussed the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan. The Clerk spoke to her briefing paper, provided to members and advised that letters to Committee Clerks and letters to Ministers had issued as agreed at last week’s meeting. Key issues discussed included the possible need to source both internal and external assessments of the draft plan and the need for visibility of innovation funding.
The Chairperson left the meeting at 10.50 a.m. and the Deputy Chairperson took the Chair.
Officials joined the meeting at 10.51 a.m.
Briefing was provided by Fiona Hepper, Head of DETI Strategic Policy Division, Anne Conaty, Head of Innovation Branch and Paul Rose, Innovation Branch. Key issues discussed included how innovation funding will be financed, planned indicators of success and the process and timetable for consultation before the plan goes before the Executive Committee. Officials answered a number of members’ questions.
Officials left the meeting at 11.20 a.m.
Mr Aubrey Sherrard joined the meeting at 11.21 a.m.
-
Seagate Technologies – Roevalley Chamber of Commerce - Update
Members received briefing from Mr Aubrey Sherrard, President, Roevalley Chamber of Commerce who updated the Committee regarding the planned closure of Seagate Technologies in Limavady. Key issues discussed included work undertaken by Mr Sherrard to seek alternative use of some of the Seagate factory space and potential alternative employers and attempts to undertake a skills and training needs analysis. The Deputy Chair explained that whilst the Committee did not have any budgetary resource from which to provide funding for his work, the Committee were very supportive of the work he was undertaking and could lobby Departments on his behalf.
The Chairperson rejoined the meeting at 11.30 and retook the Chair.
Members congratulated Mr Sherrard on his efforts to date and the Chairperson asked that he keep Members apprised of developments and to contact the Committee if any further help was needed.
Mr Neeson joined the meeting at 11.51 a.m.
Mr Sherrard left the meeting at 11.57 a.m.
The Committee discussed the briefing from Mr Sherrard and examined ways in which it might lend its support and assistance.
Agreed: That the Chairperson would write to the DETI Minister to ask if briefing on procedures for funding etc could be provided to Mr Sherrard by Departmental or Invest NI officials.
Mr Maskey left the meeting at 12.01p.m.
-
Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre
The Committee discussed the recent developments surrounding the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre.
Agreed: That the Chairperson would submit Freedom of Information requests to the Northern Office and the Prime Ministers Office in relation to this issue.
Mr Newton left the meeting at 12.37 p.m.
-
Renewables Obligations
Members discussed the papers provided by the Department on this issue.
Agreed: That the Clerk would arrange appropriate briefing from the Department which would take account of the issues raised by Members.
-
SL1 - The Companies (Late Filing Penalties) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members discussed the proposals to increase the penalties for non-compliance in respect of the late delivery of annual accounts and Director’s reports. While the amendment under the 1986 Order is subject to negative resolution, the 2002 Act stipulates that a resolution of the Assembly is required under draft affirmative procedure.
Agreed : That the Committee had no comment to make at this stage.
-
Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence:
A letter from the Minister regarding the UK Energy Bill, a response on the draft budget and Programme for Government from the former Advisory Council on Infrastructure Investment and an explanatory memorandum from DETI’s Social Economy Branch.
-
Forward Work Programme.
The Committee considered the current Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That the briefing from the Northern Ireland Energy Agency would now be held on 7 February.
Agreed: That the Clerk would request briefing from the Department in respect of the NIEA proposals.
-
Any Other Business.
Agreed: That the Committee would accept the invitation from the Health and Safety Executive to visit their headquarters in Ladas Drive, Belfast. Date to be confirmed.
Members noted papers received from the DETI Departmental Liaison Officer in relation to queries raised at the Committee meeting on 13 December about the draft Corporate Plans of DETI, Invest NI and the Consumer Council.
Agreed: That members would receive briefing from the Sustainable Energy Building Forum regarding the DFP Minister’s announcement to end the Reconnect Grant Scheme.
Agreed: That the Clerk would request written briefing from the Department in respect of the Sustainable Energy Building Forum.
Members considered how they might receive and consider future items of correspondence.
Agreed: That correspondence should be dealt with under a separate agenda item and that such papers would be sent electronically to members as it was received.
The Chairperson advised that he had been contacted by some local businesses regarding difficulties they were encountering regarding delays in obtaining VAT Registration.
Agreed: That the Committee would seek briefing from officials.
-
Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 24 January 2008 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.56 p.m.