COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Tuesday, 18 september 2007
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Robin Newton
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Joanne Adair (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Collan Cree (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Francie Molloy
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr David Simpson MP
The meeting opened at 2.07 p.m. in public session.
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
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Briefing from Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on Developments at the Giant’s Causeway.
The Committee noted correspondence between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department of the Environment on progress being made in the plans for a new visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Nigel Dodds, MP MLA joined the meeting at 2.09 p.m. to discuss recent developments regarding plans for a new visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
The Minister was accompanied by Mr Stephen Quinn (Permanent Secretary) and Mr Ciaran McGarrity (Tourism Special Projects).
The Minister and his officials left the meeting at 3.21 p.m.
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Briefing from Public Sector Project Key Stakeholders on Developments at the Giant’s Causeway.
Representatives of the key stakeholders involved in the public sector project attended the meeting at 3.24 p.m. to discuss recent developments regarding plans for a visitors’ centre for the Giant’s Causeway The National Trust was represented by Hilary McGrady (Northern Ireland Director) and Graham Thompson (Project Director, Giant’s Causeway). Moyle District Council was represented by Helen Harding (Vice Chairperson), Richard Lewis (Chief Executive) and Kevin McGarry (Head of Tourism and Leisure).
Witnesses left the meeting at 4.12 p.m.
The Committee discussed the way forward on this issue and considered a proposal from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a discussion at Hadrian’s Wall on the development and management of World Heritage Sites.
Agreed : That clarification should be sought from DETI on a number of key issues regarding development at the Giant’s Causeway.
Agreed: That the Clerk would obtain transcripts of recent briefings to the Committee and provide a briefing note.
Agreed: That the Northern Ireland Tourist Board should be invited to brief the Committee
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Minutes of meeting held on 11 September 2007.
Agreed - the draft minutes were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
Members considered correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the Committee’s comments on the Department’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) proposals.
Agreed : That Departmental officials should attend a meeting in early October to brief members on future development of the PSA.
Mr Hamilton and Mr Newton left the meeting at 4.42 p.m.
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Subordinate Legislation.
The Committee considered the Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: Th at the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 and, subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee considered the Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 and subject to the ESR’s report recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.
The Committee considered a proposed Statutory Rule to implement Directive 2005/56/EC on Cross Border Mergers of Limited Liability Companies.
Agreed : That the Committee had no comment to make at this stage.
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Forward Work Programme.
Members noted the revised Forward Work Programme September – December 2007.
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Any Other Business.
Members considered correspondence from Enterprise Northern Ireland regarding a meeting with the Committee and possible visit to a Local Enterprise Agency.
Agreed: That a visit to a Local Enterprise Agency should be factored into the Committee’s Forward Work programme.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 25 September at 2.00 p.m. in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.50 p.m.
Mark Durkan MP MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
September 2007.