Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Mr David Simpson MP

In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Joanne Adair (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened at 2. 02 p.m. in closed session.

  1. Consideration of Draft Response to Varney Review.

Mr Hamilton joined the meeting at 2.04 p.m.

The Committee considered working notes in relation to a draft response to the Varney Review on Tax Policy in Northern Ireland.

Agreed: - That members should provide any views on the key areas which require further discussion at next week’s meeting by Friday 29 June 2007.

Ms McCann joined the meeting at 2.09 p.m.

Agreed: - To share the draft response with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and with the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

The meeting moved into public session at 2.11 p.m.

  1. Apologies.

There were no apologies.

  1. Declaration of Interests.

There were no further declarations.

  1. Draft minutes of meeting held on 19 June.

Agreed - the draft minutes were agreed.

  1. Matters Arising.

The Committee considered an invitation from the Northern Ireland Manufacturers’ Focus Group (NIMFG) to make a factory tour.

Agreed: - That a letter should be sent advising NIMFG that the Clerk would be in contact when a suitable opportunity arose.

Mr Neeson drew members’ attention to work of the Northern Ireland Assembly Business Trust, which meets on Thursday each week.

Mr Newton joined the meeting at 2.15 p.m.

The Clerk advised members that arrangements were being made for members to receive a briefing on the ongoing review of industrial de-rating by ERINI.

Agreed: That the briefing should take place at an early date in September.

In relation to the Developing Belfast Top 50 Awards, the Principal Clerk advised members on precedent regarding events hosted by committees in the previous mandate.

Agreed: - That the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and other party representatives would host the event.

Mr McLaughlin and Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.21 p.m.

  1. Correspondence.

The Committee considered correspondence from the Northerly Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) regarding plans for equality screening of policy areas.

Agreed: - That consideration of this issue should be deferred to the meeting on 3 July 2007.

Members noted a letter from Invest NI responding to outstanding questions raised by members at the meeting on 19 June 2007.

  1. Forward Work Programme

Members noted the revised committee work programme and information on research projects nearing completion by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

  1. Discussion on Possible Committee Inquiry Topics

Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.35 p.m.

Members considered topics for future Committee Inquiries.

  1. Briefing from DETI Senior Officials: - PSA Framework and CSR 2007.

Mr Noel Lavery (Head of Management Services), Mr Trevor Cooper (Head of Finance) and Mr Graeme Hutchinson (Senior Principal Economist) joined the meeting at 2.52 p.m. and gave a presentation and answered questions on proposed DETI Public Service Agreements covering the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007/08 – 2010/11.

Agreed: - That a draft response to the Department would be considered at the meeting on 3 July 2007.

Officials left the meeting at 3.44 p.m.

  1. Briefing from DETI Senior Officials: - Business Regulation Division.

Mr Mike Bohill joined Mr Lavery at 3.45 p.m. and gave a presentation and answered members’ questions on the role of the Business Regulation Division.

Mr Simpson left the meeting at 4.00 p.m.

Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 4.05 p.m.

Key issues discussed included the structure of the Business Regulation Division, key priorities and objectives particularly with regard to insolvency and the social economy.

Officials left the meeting at 4.19 p.m.

  1. Subordinate Legislation

Members considered information and questioned Departmental officials on responses to departmental consultation exercises on the proposed Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 and on regulations for the further implementation of Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC.

Agreed: - That the Committee had no comment on the proposals at this stage

Members considered information and questioned Departmental officials on the following SL1s: -

The Chairperson left the meeting at 4.31 p.m. and Mr Maskey assumed the Chair.

Mr Neeson left the meeting at 4.39 p.m.

Agreed: - That the Committee had no comment to make on the proposed regulations at this stage.

  1. Any Other Business.

The Committee considered correspondence regarding students living in postgraduate accommodation.

Agreed: - That the letter should be referred back to the Committee for Social Development.

Members noted information regarding publications issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment from 1 April – 31 December 2007.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 July at 2.00 p.m. in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.56 p.m.

Mark Durkan MP MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
3 July 2007.

 

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