ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2001 at 10.15AM in THE LONG GALLERY
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
In attendance:
Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Miss J Presho
Mr D Donaldson
Apologies:
Mrs A Courtney
Mr D Shipley Dalton
Mr D McClarty
In attendance for public evidence session at 2.30pm: Mr W Haire, and Mr D MacCann, Economic Policy Unit (OFMDFM)
The meeting opened, in private, at 10.15am
1. Chairperson's business
The Chairperson reported that he had received a letter from Mr B Robinson, Permanent Secretary, DETI regarding the working relationship between the Department and the Committee. Copies of the letter were circulated to members.
1.1. The Chairperson reported that he had also received a letter from the "Campaign to Save Fermanagh Creameries" group, requesting a copy of the minutes of evidence of the Committee's meeting with Dairy Crest plc and Dairy Crest's submission to the Committee relating to the recent closure of Fermanagh Creameries in Lisnaskea.
Agreed -to issue a copy of the requested information to the Campaign group.
2. Minutes of last meeting
2.1. The minutes of the meeting of 19 February were agreed as amended.
3. Matters arising
3.1. Visit to Enterprise Ireland and IDA - the Committee Clerk reported that the organisations had suggested a suitable date for this visit - Thursday 29 March 2001.
Agreed - that all members should be contacted regarding their availability.
3.2. Energy Inquiry - the recent newspaper article regarding a letter by Mr R McCartney MP relating to energy was copied to members.
3.3. A list of organisations who submitted written evidence regarding the Energy Inquiry was circulated to members.
Agreed - that the Committee should begin taking oral evidence from these groups on 28 March and that all should be invited to give evidence.
3.4. The Committee discussed the issue of appointing a Specialist Adviser for the Energy inquiry.
Agreed - that the Committee Clerk should seek clarification on various options regarding the appointment of a Specialist Adviser.
4. Public Service Agreement
4.1. The Committee considered the Minister's response relating to the Committee's comments on the Department's draft Public Service Agreement.
Agreed - to issue a letter to the Minister.
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 11.20am
5. Statutory Rule - Companies (1986 Order) (Audit Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
5.1. The Committee Clerk reported that a response from the Examiner of Statutory Rules was not due until 12 March on the technical aspects of the above rule and pointed out that the Committee may wish to consider the merits of the rule.
Agreed - to write to the Department seeking further clarification on the Statutory Rule.
6. Any other business
6.1. The Committee Clerk pointed out to members the section in the Northern Ireland Appropriation Accounts 1999-2000 regarding the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and their failure to follow proper purchasing procedures. A note from the Clerk of the Public Accounts Committee, detailing the role of the Public Accounts Committee was read out to members.
Agreed - that the Committee should write to the Public Accounts Committee asking them to consider this issue more fully.
6.2. Paper from Assembly Research Office on Orimulsion.
Agreed - that this paper could be placed on the Assembly Intranet.
The meeting adjourned at 11.37am
The meeting resumed at 2.20pm in Room 135
Mr Attwood joined the meeting at 2.43pm
7. Public evidence session - presentation by the Economic Policy Unit of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) in respect of their current review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council (NIEC) and the Northern Ireland Economic Research Council (NIERC)
7.1. Officials from the Economic Policy Unit (OFMDFM) gave a short presentation to the Committee on the current review of NIEC and NIERC. This was followed by a question and answer session.
8. Strategy 2010
8.1. The Committee continued its deliberations on their report into the Strategy 2010 Inquiry.
9. Next meeting
9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 28 February at 10.00am in Room 144.
The meeting closed at 5.00pm
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)