COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 29 May 2008
TITANIC HOUSE, QUEENS ROAD, BELFAST
Present:
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
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:
Mr Mark Durkan MP
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at 10.57am in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Paul Butler declared his membership of Lisburn Council. There were no other new interests declared.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 22 May, 2008.
Agreed: - The draft minutes of the meeting on 22 May, 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
Members noted that acknowledgement letters had issued to members of the public who had written to the Chairperson regarding the proposed Rose Energy Power Plant.
Members noted an update from the Federation of Small Business’s regarding the Committee’s request for them to supply examples of regulation restrictions and duplication.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.17am
5. Briefing from NIE Energy.
Representatives from NIE Energy joined the meeting at 11.18am.
NIE Energy representatives Stephen McCully, Managing Director, Jenny Boyd, Energy Services Manager and Kerstie Forsyth, Marketing and Communications, briefed the Committee. Key issues discussed included the reasons behind the latest rise in electricity prices and the volatility of the current market.
Leslie Cree left the meeting at 12.07pm.
Representatives from NIE Energy left the meeting at 12.11pm.
6. Briefing from Northern Ireland Tourist Board
Representative from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) joined the meeting at 12.13pm
NITB representatives Alan Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Thompson, Chief Operating Officer and Siobhan McCauley, Director of Product Development briefed the Committee on the NITB Draft Corporate Plan 2008 – 2011. Key issues discussed included the linkage between the NITB Corporate Plan and the Programme for Government.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 12.30pm.
Agreed: That the NITB could now proceed to public consultation on their draft Corporate Plan.
Representative from the NITB left the meeting at 12.41pm.
7. Briefing from DETI Officials on the Titanic Signature Project.
Departmental officials joined the meeting at 12.42pm.
DETI officials, David Sterling, Head of Policy Group, Ciaran McGarrity and Wallace Lawson, Tourism Signature Projects briefed the Committee on the Titanic Signature Project. The key issue discussed concerned the proposed revised funding package for the project.
Officials left the meeting at 12.50pm.
8. Forward Work Programme.
Members considered the most recent Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That members would supply the Clerk with issues they would like covered in the forthcoming visit to Invest NI.
Agreed: The Forward Work Programme was agreed.
9. Correspondence
Members noted the following item of correspondence:
DETI Report – Mineral Licensing 2003 – 2006.
10. Any Other business
Members noted that the content of DETI Evaluation Programme 2008 – 2011.
Members noted the Forward Work Programme for the Public Accounts Committee.
Members noted a copy of a letter which issued to consultees regarding the Reform of the NI Renewables Obligation.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 5 June at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.52pm.