COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1 MAY 2002 AT 10.45 AM IN
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr P Doherty MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr W Clyde
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Mr E McMenamin
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
Apologies: Mrs A Courtney
In attendance: Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr R Anderson (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss A Fowler (Clerical Officer) Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Research)
In attendance for the private evidence session at 11.53am: Mr W Hamilton, Mr N Lavery, Ms B Brankin.
The meeting opened in private at 10.45am.
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
Agreed - the minutes of the meetings held on 22, 23 and 24 April 2002.
2. Matters Arising
2.1. The Committee continued to deliberate on the development of the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre Site.
Agreed - to issue letters to Moyle District Council, Seaport Investments, The National Trust, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Agreed - to establish a Sub-Committee to consider the development of the Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre Site. Mr Doherty, Mr Neeson, Mrs Courtney, Mr McClarty and Mr Wells were selected to sit on the Sub-Committee.
2.2. The Committee discussed issues raised at the meeting of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Committee Clerk and the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on Tuesday 23 April.
Ms Morrice joined the meeting at 11.10am.
Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 11.10am.
Agreed - to invite the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Chairperson and Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland (INI) to a future meeting.
2.3. The Committee considered a letter from Bitor-Europe regarding the Assembly Research paper on Orimulsion.
Agreed - to note the letter.
2.4. The Committee discussed the proposed date of a visit to Bombardier Aerospace.
Agreed - to visit Bombardier Aerospace on Wednesday 22 May from 11.00am until 1.00pm.
2.5. The Committee considered the Energy Efficiency Levy proposals outlined by the Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas (OFREG) at the Committee meeting held on 30 April.
Agreed - to issue a response regarding the proposals.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.27am.
3. Any Other Business
3.1. Agreed - to invite the West Belfast Partnership Board to give a presentation to the Committee on Wednesday 8 May.
3.2. The Committee discussed the proposed date of a visit to the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI).
Agreed - to visit HSENI on Wednesday 19 June from 12noon until 2.00pm.
Dr O'Hagan joined the meeting at 11.34am.
4. OFREG Consultation Paper on an Independent Systems Operator
4.1. The Committee considered the OFREG consultation paper.
Agreed - to issue a response.
5. Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Corporate Plan
5.1. The Committee discussed the NITB Corporate Plan.
Agreed - to issue a response.
6. E-Commerce Directive
6.1. The Committee discussed papers regarding the transposition of the E-Commerce Directive.
Agreed - to issue a response.
7. Any Other Business
7.1. New Inquiries to be undertaken by the House of Lords European Union Select Committee and Sub Committees.
Agreed - to defer the matter until next weeks meeting.
7.2. The Committee discussed its minutes of evidence and responses to the Department and organisations which were now available for insertion on the Assembly website.
Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.48am.
Mr McMenamin rejoined the meeting at 11.48am.
Agreed - the minutes and papers that should be published on the website.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.50am
7.3. The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed - to meet the Specialist Adviser appointed for the Tourism Inquiry on Tuesday 11 June from 10am until 1.00pm.
Mr Doherty left the meeting at 11.50am.
Mr Neeson assumed the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson.
Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 11.53am.
8. Departmental Position Report
8.1. Officials from the Department briefed the Committee and answered questions on the Departmental Position Report.
Mr Doherty rejoined the meeting at 12.43pm.
Agreed - to send further questions to the Department for written answer and to discuss the matter further at next weeks meeting.
Mr Doherty reassumed the Chair at 12.57pm.
9. Any Other Business
9.1. The Committee discussed whether it would meet during the summer recess.
Agreed - to meet on Monday 29 July and Wednesday 31 July 2002.
10. Date of next meeting
10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 8 May at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 1.10pm.
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Chairperson