Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 APRIL 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Robin Newton

In Attendance:
Mrs Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr David Simpson MP

The meeting opened at 10.30am in public session.

  1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Declaration of Interests

There were no new interests declared.

  1. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 April, 2008

Agreed: - The draft minutes of the meeting on 17 April, 2008 were agreed.

Robin Newton joined the meeting at 10.35am.

  1. Matters arising

Members noted that the Clerk had written to the Clerk of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the delay in the introduction of new building regulations.

Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Reconnect Scheme.

  1. Briefing from DETI Officials on Research into Innovation and Foreign Direct Investment.

Officials joined the meeting at 10.40am.

DETI officials David Sterling, Graeme Hutchinson, Anne Tohill and Tony Simpson briefed the Committee on the findings of research commissioned by the Department on the topics of Foreign Direct Investment and Innovation in Northern Ireland’s tradable services. Key issues discussed included the setting of research priorities and the call for proposals and the research methodology.

Officials left the meeting at 11.29am.

  1. Briefing from the Utility Regulator

Representatives joined the meeting at 11.30am.

Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.42am.

Utility Regulator, Iain Osborne and Director of Gas, Brian McHugh briefed the Committee on spiralling energy costs. Key issues discussed included the main drivers for Northern Ireland energy prices and the reasons for the sharp rise in gas prices, what Northern Ireland could do to reduce energy costs, environmental factors, fuel poverty and the role of the Regulator. The Regulator suggested steps which the Northern Ireland Executive might take in order to mitigate the situation.

Representatives left the meeting at 12.35pm.

Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 12.35pm.

Agreed: - To share briefing papers with the Social Development Committee and with the Committee for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister.

Agreed: - To further consider the possibility of an Ad-Hoc Inquiry into energy price rises.

Agreed: - To seek briefing from the Consumer Council and from the Department.

  1. Inquiry into Credit Unions

The Committee noted that the agreed Public Notice will issue in the local press on 29 April and 1 May. Members also noted a research paper which outlined potential consultees, examples of good practice and suggestions for visits.

Agreed: - That the Clerk will undertake some scoping work on site visits as discussed by the Committee.

Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.56pm.

  1. Invest Northern Ireland and DETI draft Corporate Plans

Members noted both reports and that public consultation exercises are currently being conducted.

Agreed: That the Committee would further consider both reports when the public consultation exercises have been completed.

  1. Forward Work Programme

Members noted the content of the most recent Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: That the Committee would hold their meeting of 29 May during a visit to the Titanic Quarter.

Agreed: That the Committee would cancel its meeting of 12 June and reschedule it for the afternoon of 13 June when the Committee will visit the headquarters of Invest Northern Ireland.

  1. US/NI Investment Conference

Members discussed the forthcoming US/NI Investment.

Agreed: That the Clerk would ask the Department for further clarification on some aspects of the Conference.

  1. Subordinate Legislation

Members noted the following items of subordinate legislation.

SR 616/2008 – The Companies (Tables A – F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Agreed: That the Committee are content with SR 161/2008 - The Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 subject to a satisfactory Examiner of Statutory Rules report.

SL1 – The Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from High-Efficiency Cogeneration Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Agreed: That the Committee are content with SL1 – The Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from High-Efficiency Cogeneration Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.

Agreed: That the Committee Office would seek clarification on the timing of the Examiner of Statutory Rules Reports.

Agreed: That the Chairperson would also raise the issue of the timing of the Examiner of Statutory Rules Reports with the Chairperson’s Liaison Group.

  1. Quarterly Monitoring Rounds

The Committee noted proposed templates designed to assist with the process of the Quarterly Monitoring Rounds.

Agreed: The Committee was content with the proposals.

Robin Newton left the meeting at 1.27pm.

  1. Other Correspondence

Members noted a booklet entitled ‘80% Challenge – Delivering a Low-Carbon UK’, and the content of letters from the World Wildlife Fund and the British Wind Energy Association.

Members were also provided with recent press cuttings on Bio-Fuels and the end of the Reconnect grant scheme.

  1. Any Other business

Members noted a brief update on the recent accidents at Victoria Street, Belfast and at the Drummee Integrated Waste Management Facility, Enniskillen. A further report will be sent to the Committee when the investigations have been completed.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 1 May at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.32pm.

Mr Mark Durkan
Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade & Investment.
April, 2008.

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