COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 14 MAY 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Jim Wells
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Paul Butler
The meeting opened at 10.37 a.m. in closed session.
Alan McFarland joined the meeting at 10.50am.
The meeting moved to public session at 11.03am
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 7 May.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 7 May were agreed
3. Matters arising.
Draft terms of reference for Inquiry into Single Electricity Market.
Agreed: Members agreed to accept the draft terms of reference but to defer any further action on an Inquiry until a later date.
Agreed: To seek an oral briefing from members of the SEM Committee.
Members noted a paper from the Department providing an update on the position regarding the Visteon Plant.
Agreed: To request an urgent briefing from Invest NI at next week’s meeting.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 11.29 a.m.
Members noted the Clerk’s paper and Departmental update on DETI Progress against Targets 2008-2009.
Agreed: Members agreed to receive an oral briefing from DETI officials following publication of year-end figures and this year’s operating plan.
Members noted a briefing paper from the Department regarding Next Generation Broadband Project.
Agreed: Members agreed to return to this matter at next week’s meeting.
Members noted recent media extracts regarding the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Members noted recent developments concerning the Lough Foyle Ferry Service. Members also noted a request from DETI seeking a copy of the Research paper which was referred to in recent correspondence from the Regional Development Committee.
Agreed: To request and provide a copy of the Research Paper to the Department.
4. Carbon Trust
Members noted a written briefing from the Department.
Agreed: To seek an oral briefing from the Carbon Trust when their next Annual Report issues.
Gerry McHugh rejoined the meeting at 11.29 a.m.
5. Nortel Networks
Members noted a written briefing paper from the Department.
Agreed: To request an urgent briefing from Invest NI at next week’s meeting.
6. SL1 – The Insolvency (Deposits) (Amendment) Order (N.I.) 2009.
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
7. SL1 – The Insolvency Practitioners and Insolvency Account (Fees) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2009
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
8. SL1 – The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations (N.I.) 2009
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
9. SL1 – The Health and Safety (Misc. Amendments and Revocation) Regulations (N.I.) 2009.
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
10. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the most recent version of the Committee Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: To receive an updated written brief from the Department on Project Kelvin.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence
(i) Letter from Environment Link to the Chair enclosing a briefing paper on PPS 21.
(ii) Letter from the Clerk of the Finance and Personnel Committee concerning Varney II recommendations.
(iii) Invite for the Chair to speak at the 14 th Annual Economic Conference.
(iv) Copy of papers provided by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee following their visit to a poultry waste incineration plant in the Netherlands.
(v) NITB Annual Report 2007-2008.
(vi) Invite to the launch of a DETI project to deliver high quality ‘supplier neutral’ broadband service to SME’s.
(vii)Letter from the Chair of the Environment Committee seeking information from DETI in connection with the Environment Committee’s inquiry into climate change.
Agreed: To pass the request to the Department.
(viii) Copy of a DETI Press Release providing details on the latest unemployment figures.
(ix) Invite to the Chair from Randox in connection with an ImechE Manufacturing Excellence award for product innovation.
(x) Request from the Housing Rights Service to brief the Committee.
Agreed: To accept a written briefing.
(xi) Copy of a PWC analysis paper on the Chancellor’s Budget statement.
Agreed: To return to this item at next week’s meeting.
12. Any Other Business
There was no other business.
13. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 21 May at 10.30 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.44am.
Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
April 2009.