Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 5 February 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Mr Jim Wells

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

Apologies: Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Gerry McHugh
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Declaration of Interests.

There were no new interests declared.

3. Minutes of meeting held on 29 January 2008.

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 29 January 2008 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

The Chairperson updated members on his recent meeting with the Minister. Members noted that briefing has been arranged for the next Committee meeting from departmental officials and representatives from Hibernia Atlantic.

5. Outcome of NIRO Reform Consultation & SL1 – Proposal for Renewables Obligation Order (NI) 2009

Official joined the meeting at 11.14 a.m.

Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.17 a.m.

Malachy McKernan, Deputy Principal, DETI Energy Division briefed members on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation Reform consultation and the SL1 on proposals for Renewables Obligation Order (NI) 2009. Key issues discussed included the main issues arising from the consultation and the potential difference in the number of ROCs available in Scotland in relation to tidal stream and wave generation.

Agreed: That further clarification should be sought from the Department regarding the ‘ongoing measurement issue’ in terms of what this means and how the regime will operate.

Official left the meeting at 11.39 a.m.

6. February Monitoring

Officials joined the meeting at 11.40 a.m.

Noel Lavery, Head of Management Services, Trevor Cooper, Head of Finance & EU Programmes Division and Bernie Brankin, Head of Finance Branch, briefed members on the DETI February Monitoring. Key issues discussed included monitoring of expenditure, reduced requirements and proposed reductions & reallocations.

Robin Newton left the meeting at 11.55 a .m.

Officials left the meeting at 12.02 p.m.

The meeting went into closed session at 12.03 p.m.

7. Inquiry into the Role and Potential of Credit Unions in Northern Ireland

Agreed: The Committee agreed the following sections of the report:

Executive Summary – read and agreed.

Summary of Recommendations – read and agreed.

Introduction – read and agreed.

Key Issues and Findings – read and agreed as amended.

Options for Change – read and agreed.

Conclusions – read and agreed as amended.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the following papers should be appended to the Committee’s report:

Minutes of Proceedings

Minutes of Evidence

List of Written Submissions to the Committee

Written Submissions to the Committee

List of Witnesses Who Gave Evidence to the Committee

List of Research Papers

Research Papers

List of Other Evidence Considered by the Committee

Other Evidence Considered by the Committee

List of Abbreviations

The meeting returned to public session at 12.45 p.m.

8. Terms of Reference for the Finance & Personnel Committee’s Scrutiny of Public Procurement Policy

The Committee considered the draft terms of reference supplied by the Finance and Personnel Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward comments on the draft terms of reference to the Finance and Personnel Committee.

9. Forward Work Programme

Members noted a draft copy of the revised Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The revised Forward Work Programme was agreed.

10. Correspondence

The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:

Agreed: To pass the letter to the Minister.

Agreed: To seek a briefing note on this matter from the Department.

11. Any Other Business.

The Chair provided members with details of the availability of a central budget for the engagement of special advisors by Committees.

12. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 th February at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.02 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
February 2009.

29 January 09 / Menu