ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2001 AT 10.35AM
IN ROOM 144
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mr W Clyde
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Apologies:Mrs A Courtney
Mr S Neeson
In attendance: Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss J Presho (Executive Support)
Mr D Donaldson (Administrative Support)
Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Researcher)
In attendance for public evidence session at 10.35am: Mr D Hillcoat (Courtaulds International Fabrics) and Mr D Marley (Penn Nyla)
In attendance for private evidence session at 11.35am: Mr W Haire and Mr D McCann (Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM))
The meeting opened, in public, at 10.35am
1. Pending Closure of Penn Nyla Factory in Lurgan - Public Evidence Session
1.1. A management delegation from Courtaulds International Fabrics/Penn Nyla gave a presentation on the history of the Lurgan plant, the recent difficulties facing the textile industry and their effects on the company. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Attwood joined the meeting at 11.24am
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 11.24am
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 11.30am
The meeting when into private session at 11.35am
2. Review of NIEC/NIERC and the Provision of Independent Economic Advice and Research - Private Session
2.1. Officials from OFMDFM gave a short presentation on the review of NIEC/NIERC and the provision of independent economic advice and research being conducted by OFMDFM. This was followed by a question and answer session.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
Agreed - the minutes of the meeting of 20 June 2001.
4. Matters Arising
4.1. Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland Investigation - The Committee considered the correspondence regarding a case raised by Dr O'Hagan.
Agreed - to ask HSENI for a copy of the procedures to be followed by investigative officers.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.40pm
4.2. Consultative Process for Programme for Government (PfG) and the Budget 2002/03 - The Committee discussed the lack of adequate consultation on the PfG and Budget for 2002/03.
Agreed - to write to the Minister expressing the Committee's wish for more timely consultation in the future.
4.3. Viridian plc Profits - The Committee discussed the profits of Viridian plc.
Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 12.55pm
Mr Attwood left the meeting at 1.07pm
4.4. OFREG Consultation Report - Electricity Market Opening - the Committee discussed the consultation report and the implications raised.
Agreed - to reply to OFREG detailing the Committee's comments.
5. OFTEL's Draft Equality Scheme
5.1. The Committee considered the draft Equality Scheme submitted from OFTEL.
Agreed - to reply to OFTEL detailing the Committee's comments.
6. Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) - Consultation Document
6.1. The Committee discussed the consultation document from OFMDFM on PSI.
Agreed - to reply to OFMDFM detailing the Committee's comments and to write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment requesting that PSI is kept at the heart of the department's policies.
7. Strategy 2010 Report
7.1. The Committee was reminded that the Minister would attend next week's meeting and that the Minutes of Evidence from the meeting would be published with the Minister's formal response in a Special Report.
8. Any Other Business
8.1. Press Release on Penn Nyla Closure - the Committee discussed a draft Press Release on the Penn Nyla situation.
Agreed - to issue the Press Release as drafted.
8.2. Developing the Programme for Government and the Budget for 2002/03 - the Committee considered the need to respond on this matter before the end of August.
Agreed - to meet on Wednesday 18 July to finalise the Committee's responses, if required.
8.3. Energy Inquiry - the Committee was advised that it would meet with the Specialist Adviser on 19 September.
8.4. Industrial Development Bill - the Committee Clerk advised the Committee on developments regarding the Industrial Development Bill.
Agreed - to issue a public notice week commencing 23 July seeking submissions from interested parties by 24 August 2001.
9. Date of next meeting
9.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 4 July at 10am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 1.30pm
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)