ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 3 APRIL 2001 at 10.10AM
IN ROOM 152 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mrs A Courtney
Mr W Clyde
Mr D McClarty
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
In attendance for the public session at 10.10am: The Northern Ireland Hotels Federation - Mr J Mooney, Mr F Mooney, Mr C Shillington, & Mr A Good.
The meeting opened, in public, at 10.10am
1. Public evidence session at 10.10am - Northern Ireland Hotels Federation
1.1 A delegation from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation made a short presentation, in public, on the current difficulties facing the tourist industry in Northern Ireland due to the Foot and Mouth disease. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Attwood left the meeting at 10.30am
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 11.00am
Mr Clyde left the meeting at 10.55am
The meeting went into private session at 11.15am
2. Committee's response to the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation presentation
Agreed - that the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation would draft a press release which would be agreed by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson on behalf of the Committee and that the Committee would write to Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and the Minister of Finance and Personnel regarding the issues raised. The Committee also agreed to copy both letters to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for information.
3. Minutes of the last meeting
Agreed - the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March as amended.
4. Matters arising
4.1 Belfast Telegraph Chapel of Journalists - Mr Neeson updated the Committee on the progress of work on this issue.
4.2 Meeting held with the Minister, Sir Reg Empey, regarding restructuring of the economic development agencies.
Agreed - that no further action was needed at present.
4.3 District Councils Forum on 12 April
Agreed - that a member from each of the six parties should be nominated to attend the forum.
4.4 Further information regarding the recent press coverage about emissions from Kilroot Power Station including a letter sent to the Newsletter from the Chairperson correcting an earlier article was circulated to members.
Agreed - that no further action was needed at present.
4.5 Energy Inquiry
Agreed - that the proposed visit to Portugal should not take place.
4.6 Further information received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on the Energy Inquiry was circulated to members.
4.7 Recent television documentary which made reference to Teletech - the Committee discussed concerns raised by the documentary.
Agreed - that no further action was needed at present.
Mr Wells left the meeting at 11.53am
4.8 Energy Inquiry - Appointment of a Specialist Adviser. The Committee Clerk reported on procedures to follow in the appointment of a Specialist Adviser.
5. Committee of the Centre - Children's Commissioner Inquiry
5.1 A copy of the Terms of Reference for this inquiry was copied to members.
Agreed - that the Committee take note and that no substantive response was required.
6. Agriculture and Rural Development Committee - Inquiries into the Livestock and Meat Commission and the Rural Development Programme
6.1 Copies of theTerms of Reference for these inquires were copied to members.
Agreed - to write to the Committee asking to be kept informed of their work in the area of rural tourism.
7. Aggregates Tax
A copy of the Friends of the Earth submission and a copy of a critique prepared by the Assembly Research Office was circulated to members.
Agreed - that the members should read this information and discuss the issue at a meeting after the Easter recess.
8. Any other business
8.1 Press Conference to launch report on the Strategy 2010 inquiry, a copy of the draft press statement was circulated to members.
Agreed - the draft press statement as amended. The Committee also agreed to issue an embargoed copy of the press statement in advance to the Minister, Sir Reg Empey.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.09pm
8.2 Electricity and Gas Consumer Representation Arrangements - a copy of a submission made by Ofreg was circulated to members.
Agreed - that a discussion on the Committee's response to the Minister be deferred until the Committee's meeting tomorrow.
9. Date of Next Meeting
9.1 The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 4 April at 10.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 12.15pm
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)