COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 18 September 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Jim Wells
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies: None.
The meeting opened at 10.12 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies. The Chairperson welcomed Jim Wells who replaced David Simpson as a member of the Committee.
2. Declaration of Interests.
Jim Wells declared interests as per the Register of Members Interests.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 11 September 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 11 September 2008 were agreed.
Alan McFarland joined the meeting at 10.16 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.22 a.m.
4. Matters Arising.
The Committee had a preliminary discussion on rising energy prices and the announcement that the Utility Regulator had commissioned a review of the electricity tariff setting process.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 11.12 a.m.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 11.19 a.m.
5. Briefing on the Evaluation of the Strategic Energy Framework
Officials joined the meeting at 11.24 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 11.25 a.m.
Jennifer McCann rejoined the meeting at 11.29 a.m.
Departmental officials Jenny Pyper and Paul Dolaghan briefed the Committee on the Review of the Strategic Energy Framework. Key issues discussed included the background to the review, key findings and the way forward.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 11.47 a.m.
Sean Neeson rejoined the meeting at 12.01 p.m.
Leslie Cree joined the meeting at 12.30 p.m.
6. Briefing on Consultation on ‘Banded’ Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation
Departmental officials Jenny Pyper and Malachy McKernan briefed the Committee on the Consultation on ‘Banded’ Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation. Key issues discussed included the banding proposals, responses to the preliminary consultation and the timeframe for introduction.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to return to this topic and the SL1 at a later meeting.
Officials left the meeting at 12.50 p.m.
The meeting was suspended at 12.51 p.m. and recommenced at 1.05 p.m.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.51 p.m.
7. September Monitoring
Officials joined the meeting at 1.08 p.m.
Departmental officials Noel Lavery, Trevor Cooper and Bernie Brankin briefed the Committee on the Departments’ September monitoring round. Key issues discussed included the reduction in requirements and the shortfall in capital receipts due to the economic downturn.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive future written briefing in the narrative format with the financial template as an appendix.
Simon Hamilton left the meeting at 1.26 p.m.
8. SR287/2008: The Guarantees of Origin of Electricity produced from High Efficiency Cogeneration Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
9. SR281/2008: The Insolvency (Voluntary Winding-Up) (Forms) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
The Committee acknowledged that whilst the regulation had been brought to members’ attention at SL1 stage, members were concerned to note that the above rule had come into operation on 1 August 2008.
Agreed: That the Clerk would investigate the matter further and report back to members.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the content of the current Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: An amended version of the Forward Work Programme was agreed.
Simon Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 1.38 p.m.
11. Energy Price Increases
The Committee noted the content of the following items of correspondence in relation to the announcement that there will be an independent review of the electricity tariff-setting process;
- Letter from Utility Regulator to Chairperson
- Letter from Minister to Chairperson
- Letter from Consumer Council to Chairperson
- Letter from Minister to Consumer Council
Simon Hamilton left the meeting at 1.38 p.m.
The Committee considered the scope of and the terms of reference for the review and discussed which witnesses should be asked to brief the Committee at next weeks’ meeting.
Agreed: To ask Hansard to cover the witness sessions at the next Committee meeting.
Agreed: To issue a Committee press release on this issue.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 1.51 p.m.
12. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence;
- Letter from the Carbon Trust and Technology Guide ‘Making Sense of Renewable Energy Technologies, Opportunities for Northern Ireland.
- Letter from the Minister and copy of her response to the ARD Committee Report into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.
Agreed: To send a letter to the Minister supporting her proposal to establish and chair an Inter-Departmental Working Group on a range of sustainable energy issues.
13. Any Other Business.
The Committee noted a request from Assembly Research to use the hand-outs and presentations delivered at last weeks’ meeting to prepare an information pack for the Private Members Motion on Energy Prices which is scheduled for 29 September.
Agreed: To pass relevant papers to Assembly Research.
The Committee noted recent extracts from the local and national press in relation to the efficiency of wind farms and matters concerning energy prices and potential job losses in the construction sector.
The Committee discussed the various All-Party Groups which have been established within the Assembly and some voiced concern at the potential for overlap with the business of some of the Statutory Committees.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 25 September at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.03 p.m.
Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
September 2008.