COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 12 February 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
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: None
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies.
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.35 a.m.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 5 February 2009.
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 5 February 2009 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising.
Members noted the content of a letter sent by the First and deputy First Minister to the Prime Minister regarding the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Members noted that the Committee comments on the scrutiny of Public Procurement had been sent to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
Members noted the response sent to the Department on the draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.
4. Economic Downturn.
Officials joined the meeting at 10.39 a.m.
Nigel Smyth, Director of the Confederation of British Industry and Graham Whitehurst, Chairman of the CBI Northern Ireland Economic Affairs Committee briefed members on the on the current economic downturn. Key issues discussed included suggested measures which the Executive could employ to assist the economy, availability of finance for business and matters concerning the tourism, construction and housing sectors.
Officials left the meeting at 11.37 a.m.
5. Project Kelvin
Officials joined the meeting at 11.44 a.m.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 11.55 a.m.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.13 p.m.
David Sterling, Deputy Secretary, Head of Policy Group, Fiona Hepper, Head of Strategic Policy and Statistics and Derek Bullock, Vice President Network Operations, Hibernia Atlantic briefed members on Project Kelvin. Key issues discussed included the background and rationale for the project and matters arising from changes to the location of the Telehouse. Officials undertook to supply members with additional information regarding the location of the Telehouse.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 1.37 p.m.
Jim Wells rejoined the meeting at 1.50 p.m.
Officials left the meeting at1.57 p.m.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 1.57 p.m.
6. SL1: The Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Members considered details of the above regulation.
Agreed: That the Department should be asked to provide some further details concerning the regulation.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Executive’s Response to the OFMDFM Committee’s report into Child Poverty.
Agreed: That the Clerk will follow up implementation issues with the Department.
- Letter from INI regarding the programme of Export Workshops for Spring/Summer 2009
- Response from the Minister to the Health Committee regarding their Inquiry into Obesity.
- Memo from the Department on their 2008/09 Evaluation Programme.
Jennifer McCann and Simon Hamilton left the meeting at 2.11 p.m.
8. Any Other Business.
Members noted the content of the Health and Safety Executive’s consultation paper entitled ‘Proposals for Chemicals (Hazard Information & Packaging for Supply) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009’.
Agreed: That the Committee should receive written briefing on the outcome of the consultation exercise.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 19 February 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.16 p.m.