COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 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)
Miss Joanne Adair (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 2.04 p.m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 3 July 2007
The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2007 which had been approved by the Chairman and circulated to members during the summer recess.
4. Matters Arising.
The Chairperson advised members that the Committee response to the Varney Review had been issued and circulated to members during the summer recess. Members noted information regarding the next stage of the review process.
Agreed: That the Committee response to the Varney Review should be posted on the Assembly website.
Mr Maskey joined the meeting at 2.07 p.m.
Members considered the Committee response to plans by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) regarding equality screening of its policy areas.
Agreed: That there were no additional comments required.
The Committee noted arrangements for the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and other party representatives to host the Developing Belfast Top 50 Awards.
5. Briefing from General Consumer Council
Ms. Eleanor Gill (Chief Executive), Mr. Steve Costello (Chairperson) and Joanne Gamble (Head of Energy) attended the meeting at 2.10 p.m. and gave a presentation and answered members’ questions.
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 2.26 p.m.
Mr Cree joined the meeting at 2.27 p.m.
Key issues discussed included the role and responsibilities of the General Consumer Council in delivering value for money to the consumer, its values and impact on consumers and future challenges.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 2.46 p.m.
Agreed: that the General Consumer Council would provide information on the outcome of the ‘transport challenge’ undertaken by members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The witnesses left the meeting at 3.05 p.m.
6. Subordinate Legislation
Members considered information and questioned officials on the following SL1s: -
The Health and Safety at Work Order (Application to Environmentally Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment to make on the proposed regulations at this stage.
Mr Hamilton left the meeting at 3.15 p.m.
The Committee considered Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and, subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule’.
Mr Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 3.20 p.m.
Mr Newton left the meeting at 3.20 p.m.
The Committee considered Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirements for a Licence) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirements for a Licence) Order ((Northern Ireland) 2007 and, subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule’.
The Committee considered and questioned officials regarding the Company and Business Names (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Company and Business Names (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
and, subject to the ESR’s Report, recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.
7. Correspondence.
The Chairperson updated members regarding consultation currently being undertaken by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) on policy proposals to reform the Renewables Obligation in Great Britain.
Ms. McCann left the meeting at 3.25 p.m.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 3.26 p.m.
Mr Newton rejoined the meeting at 3.33 p.m.
Agreed: That the Committee should receive briefing from DETI and BERR officials on the outcome of the GB consultation and its implications for Northern Ireland and proposals for consultation on any changes to Northern Ireland legislation.
The Committee noted that BERR intend to hold a ‘stakeholders’ event’ on ongoing UK-wide consultation on nuclear power on 17 September.
Members noted the Invest NI Draft Disability Action Plan and Draft Business Development Solution EQIA which relate to Invest NI’s statutory obligations under Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Action 1995 and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Members considered a request by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation that the Chairperson should represent the Committee on a discussion panel as part of its annual Hospitality Event at the Ramada Hotel on 17 October 2007.
Agreed: That the Chairperson should represent the Committee at this event.
Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 3.40 p.m.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted information provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on its proposals for public consultations on the review of existing policies and the development of new policies and on its proposals to evaluate DETI strategic plans during 2008/09.
Members considered the way forward for a possible committee inquiry into Innovation.
Agreed: That as a first step, the Committee should receive an early briefing from the Department on the evaluation of the Regional Innovation Strategy.
Members identified a range of key issues for inclusion in the Committee Work Programme September – December 2007.
Mr Simpson and Mr Newton left the meeting at 3.50 p.m.
Mr McLaughlin left the meeting at 3.56 p.m.
Agreed: That the Principal Clerk and Assistant Clerk would draft a Forward Work Programme for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
9. Any Other Business.
Members considered correspondence from the Assembly Secretariat Review team inviting the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to meet with the Review Team to explore the quality of service provided to members and identify areas for improvement.
Members discussed the most appropriate day and time for meetings of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Agreed: That the Principal Clerk would investigate the availability of Room 106 for use as a committee room.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 4.14 p.m.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 September at 2.00 p.m. in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.15 p.m.
Mark Durkan MP MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
September 2007.