COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 11 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Sean Neeson
Ms Jennifer McCann
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr David Simpson MP
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Gerry McHugh
The meeting began at 10.34 am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 4 March 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 4 March were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members noted a response from the Department regarding business opportunities and challenges arising from carbon emissions targets in Northern Ireland.
Members noted a letter from the Energy Saving Trust regarding the case for implementing a Boiler Scrappage Scheme in Northern Ireland.
Members discussed a Post Project Evaluation on the Energy Efficiency Levy Programme.
Agreed: To await the completion of the analysis of the audited accounts.
Members discussed a proposed agenda for a video conference with Lurgan College pupils on 18 March.
Agreed: Content with the agenda.
Agreed: To have one member from each party on the Committee represent the Committee during the video conference.
The Chair updated members on the meeting with the Minister in relation to the Hughes Christensen Belfast plant.
Members noted that the meeting with the 5 local authority-led bodies regarding INTERREG funding has been scheduled for 22 March.
Members discussed the case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in NI.
Paul Butler joined the meeting at 10.50am.
Agreed: To commission Assembly Research to look at the issue and provide a detailed analysis.
Agreed: To consider the possibility of debate in Plenary on the issue at next week’s meeting.
Members noted the introduction of the Debt Relief Bill.
Members noted information from a meeting with the Chairs of the OFMDFM Committee and Environment Committee regarding a 10-point plan for sustainable development and a document from NI Environment Link regarding sustainable development, forwarded by the OFMDFM Committee.
Agreed: Chair to write to the Chair of the OFMDFM Committee regarding sustainable development.
Members discussed a letter tabled from the Small Wind Energy Group (SWEG) regarding the NIRO.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with SWEG.
The Chair advised members that the breakfast scheduled to take place at the Balmoral Show for SME’s in the agri-food sector will commence at 8.30am on Wednesday 12 May.
4. SR – The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the SR above.
Question put and agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.
Agreed: To forward a letter from SWEG regarding the NIRO to the Department.
5. Assembly Research Paper on Renewable Energy in Europe – Written Briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
The Assembly Research Officer joined the meeting at 11.29am.
The Committee received an oral briefing from the Assembly Research Officer on renewable energy sites in Europe.
The Assembly Research Officer left the meeting at 11.44am.
Agreed: Clerk to draft an itinerary for a visit to Europe for consideration at
next week’s meeting.
6. Electricity Prices Inquiry – Oral Briefing
The officials joined the meeting at 11.51am.
Members received an oral briefing from Iain Osborne, Utility Regulator and Shane Lynch, Director of Electricity, NIAUR. Key issues discussed included findings from the Utility Regulator’s inquiry into business electricity prices, the Single Electricity Market and competition in the energy sector in Northern Ireland.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.45pm.
Agreed: Utility Regulator to write to the Committee with suggestions on what the Committee can do to help strengthen engagement with the EU Energy Regulator.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 12.45pm.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to agree a press release to issue on behalf of the Committee when the Utility Regulator’s Report is published.
The officials left the meeting at 12.46pm.
7. Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG) – Oral Briefing
The officials joined the meeting at 12.47pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Ian Jordan, Head of Regional Business Banking, Ulster Bank and Henry Elvin, Head of Business Banking NI, Ulsterbank. Key issue discussed was the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Scheme.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 1.05pm.
The officials left the meeting at 1.12pm.
8. Employment and Insolvency Legislation Research Paper – Oral Briefing
The Assembly Researchers joined the meeting at 1.14pm.
The Committee received an oral briefing from Assembly Researchers. Key issue discussed was employment and insolvency legislation.
The Assembly Researchers left the meeting at 1.24pm.
9 . Energy Bill –Written Briefing
Agreed: To defer this item until the 18 March meeting.
10. Credit Union Legislation –Written briefing from the FSA
Agreed: To defer this item until the 18 March meeting.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
I. Email from member of the public regarding motor home tourism.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department for its views.
II. Correspondence from the NI Marine Task Force regarding the NI Marine Bill.
12. Any Other Business
Members discussed the criteria for Local Enterprise Agency (LEA) membership of Enterprise NI.
Agreed: To write to Enterprise NI regarding criteria for membership.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 18 March at 10.00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.27pm.